If you've recently invested in new windows for your home, you want to make sure they stay looking brand new for as long as possible. Unfortunately, some common everyday events can wreak havoc on them. Not only that, but those same events can also make them difficult to clean. Luckily, you don't have to resign yourself to dirty windows. Here are three simple steps you can take to make sure your windows always sparkle.

Keep the Hard Water Spots Away

You might not realize this, but sprinklers and rain storms can leave your windows with stubborn hard water spots. Once your windows are coated with those spots, no amount of ordinary window cleaner is going to get rid of them. That doesn't mean you need to live with the spots. All you need to do is grab a few products that you probably already have lying around the house.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bowl
• Spray bottle
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Water
• Sponge
• Soft cloth

What to Do

1. Place ½ cup baking soda in plastic bowl.
2. Add enough water to form a soft paste.
3. Fill spray bottle with water.
4. Add ½ cup vinegar to water.
5. Using a damp sponge, apply a thin layer of baking soda to the hard water spots.
6. Allow baking soda to set for about 15 minutes.
7. Wipe baking soda off window using clean sponge.
8. Spray window with vinegar and water solution.
9. Wipe clean using soft cloth.

Clean Up Those Fingerprints

If you have little children, you know how much they love to touch the windows. Unfortunately, those little fingers are often coated with sticky foods. Those sticky fingerprints can be tough to remove from your windows. That's where this homemade solution comes in handy.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Spray bottles
•  Hot Water
• Grease-cutting dish detergent
• Soft cloth

What to Do

1. Fill both spray bottles with hot water.
2. Add 1 teaspoon dish detergent to one bottle.
3. Spray soapy water on the sticky finger prints.
4. Allow soapy water to set for a minute or two.
5. Wipe windows with soft cloth.
6. Spray window with bottle of plain hot water.
7. Wipe windows with clean cloth.

Remove Sticker Residue

If your kids love to play with stickers, and you've found some on your new windows, you'll need to remove them as quickly as possible. The longer the stickers remain on the glass, the harder it will be to remove the residue. Here's a quick way to get rid of the stickers and the left-over residue.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Razor blade
• Spray bottle
• Water
• Soft cloth

What to Do

1. Fill a spray bottle with water and add ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol.
2. Apply rubbing alcohol to the surface of the sticker and allow it to soak in for a few minutes.
3. Use your razor blade to carefully scrape the sticker off the window.
4. Spray your window with the water and rubbing alcohol solution.
5. Wipe clean with a soft cloth.

Don't let your new windows look worn out before their time. Use the tips provided here to keep them looking shiny and brand new.  Talk with a local glass company about more maintenance tips.