Inspiration all around

• New use for an old aquarium

An unused aquarium or fishbowl can be transformed into a fascinating 3-D decoration for a child’s room — and your child can pick the theme and do much of the work. Start by cleaning and disinfecting the tank or bowl. Then paint the inside of the glass with a diluted mixture of water and water-soluble craft paint to create the look of ocean water, blue sky, billowy clouds, rainbows, green fields or even abstract designs. The paint should be thin enough to see through, so test it for transparency and thin with more water as needed. On the bottom of the tank, spread a fairly thick layer (5cm or more) of sand or fish bowl pebbles. Now let your child choose what goes inside.

• Quick clean-ups

By their very nature, children and dirt go hand-in-hand. Here are some easy ideas to keep your home clean using basic household supplies:

1. Plastic or painted wooden toys Clean these with a paste made of 2 parts bicarbonate of soda to 1 part washing-up liquid. Apply with a soft cloth. Use a toothbrush to work the paste into small spaces. If the dirt is really stubborn, leave the paste on for a while. Remove it with a damp cloth or sponge.
2. Outdoor toys and children’s vehicles Rub with full-strength white vinegar, applied with a cloth. Remove the residue with a damp cloth or sponge or hose it off and dry with a clean cloth or towel.
3. Stuffed toys Clean unwashable toys by putting them in a plastic or paper bag, adding about a cup of bicarbonate of soda and shaking the bag for 30 seconds or so. When the toys look and smell clean, remove bicarbonate of soda residue by either vacuuming the toys with your machine’s brush attachment or shaking them in the open air and brushing off any residue with your fingers.
4. Crayon marks on washable wallpaper Try warming the marks with a hair dryer. Give it a minute, and then wipe the marks away with a damp cloth. Another idea is to apply a coat of latex glue to the marks, let it dry thoroughly and then gently rolls off the rubbery glue.
5. Vomit or urine on a rug first, wipes up what you can. Pour bicarbonate of soda onto the affected area, pat it in with a paper towel and let it dry completely before vacuuming up the residue. Bicarbonate of soda will clean, sanitize and deodorize the spot. Use the same method to clean a wet mattress.

• Dry a baby’s beanie on a balloon

Machine drying a baby’s bonnet or beanie, even on the delicate cycle, often leaves it looking wrinkled, limp and less than pretty. To solve the problem, inflate a balloon to the approximate size of the child’s head, tie it securely and attach it to a smooth surface with tape (away from baby’s reach). Slip the washed and still-damp beanie or bonnet over the balloon. With your hands, lightly smooth out creases and gently shape the bonnet and brim. ‘Press’ ribbons and ties by running them through your fingers and laying them out straight.

When the bonnet is dry, pop the balloon and discard it. A few touch-ups with a warm iron will have the bonnet looking as good as new.

• Secure sewing with dental floss

If you are tired of lost or dangling buttons on your children’s coats and jackets, substitute dental floss for sewing thread to get a strong, longer-lasting hold. Also use dental floss when replacing buttons, eyes and ears, and stitching ripped seams, in stuffed toys.

• Tape your troubles away

When toy boxes, paperback book spines and colouring books are falling apart, use clear parcel tape to reinforce the corners, spines and edges.