March Madness: Spot Removal Tips

It’s basketball season, and you know what that means - friends making food and drink stains on your carpet! Whether you spill beer or grease on your carpet during the next NCAA basketball game, here’s what to do:

Beer
STEP 1. First, mix one teaspoonful of white neutral detergent (a mild liquid dishwashing detergent containing no strong alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of lukewarm water.

STEP 2. Mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water.

Ketchup
STEP 1. Mix one teaspoonful of white neutral detergent with a cup of lukewarm water.

STEP 2. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with one half cup of water.

STEP 3. Mix a solution of powdered enzyme laundry detergent following label or box directions. Allow the solution to remain on the stain for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer.

Grease
STEP 1. First, apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol (you can purchase at your local grocery, drug and hardware store). Use a small amount to prevent possible damage to sizing, backings, or stuffing materials. Bonus tip: avoid gasoline, lighter fluid or other flammables.

STEP 2. Next, mix one teaspoonful of a mild liquid dishwashing detergent containing no strong alkalies or bleaches, with a cup of lukewarm water.

STEP 3. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half cup of water.

STEP 4. Lastly, mix one-third cup of white household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water.

Repeat the steps until the stain dissolves. To prevent even worse stains, make sure you blot up spills as soon as you spot them, avoid over wetting the area, work form the outer edge toward the center of the stain, and have patience - the stain should dissolve.

If those spot removal methods don’t do the trick, call the textile experts at Triple S! We have the tools and equipment to help you make your carpets look Clean, Fresh, & Bright again! Triple S is a family owned business with over 50 years of experience.

We have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street
Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue
Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Patio Cushion Cleaning: DIY & Professional

Just imagine: You walk outside after a long winter and notice that your patio cushions and outdoor furniture is a mess. That is, if you didn’t store them away.

At Triple S, we’ve helped families protect their outdoor investments with patio cushion cleaning. Here’s how:

STEP 1. Pick up - Give us a call! We’ll pick up your cushions before cold and rainy weather comes and bring them to our warehouse!

STEP 2. Inspect - Once we collect your cushions, we will inspect them for mildew, tears, and other signs of damage.

STEP 3. Clean - From testing your fabric to pre-vacuuming, preconditioning, and hand spotting, our cushion cleaning service is guaranteed to restore the beauty of your outdoor textiles!

STEP 4. Return - Once the weather warms up again, we will return your patio cushions right to you - just in time so you can decorate your outdoor space.

In case you didn’t have a chance to take advantage of professional patio cushion cleaning, here are a few cleaning tips we recommend:

TIP 1. Blot up spots immediately and never rub or brush, as this can cause distortion.
TIP 2. Work from the outer edge towards the center of the stain
TIP 3. Avoid mixing amonia and bleach during any cleanup process

For any and all of your stains, follow these expert spot removal methods.

At Triple S, we are ready to help you with spring cleaning! We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Hanging Curtains for Spring

Are you hanging your curtain rods all wrong? Turns out, many of us are. Although hanging curtains is an art, there are a few methods you should avoid at all costs:

Hanging your curtain rod too low
While there aren’t any set rules to hanging your curtain rod, placing them only slightly above your window frame can give off the appearance that your ceilings are lower than they are. A more effective solution is to instead hang them a few inches above the window frame. That is why window treatments should be bought after rods are installed, as buying ones too short can cause you to hang your curtain rod too low.

Buying curtains too short 
Buying short curtains is like buying short pants - if it doesn’t fit, it looks awkward. If your curtains hang just below your window sill, you’ve still got plenty of room to play with! For example, try puddling your curtains or have them just grazing the ground. If you prefer “floating” curtains, have them hanging no more than an inch off the floor.  

Drilling a small curtain rod 
Another common mistake many of us have made at least once before is buying a curtain rod that isn’t long enough. Buying a curtain rod shorter than or the same width as your window can be a problem because it blocks lighting and makes your window look smaller than it actually is. Rule of thumb: extend the rod at least 5 to 10 inches on each side of the window frame and then drill.

Now that you’ll be swapping out your heavy winter drapes for sheer curtains, reconsider the setup of your curtain rod and window treatments. Once you’ve got that out of the way and need to freshen up your curtains in time for warmer weather, call the textile experts at Triple S! We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and offer a wide variety of services to help keep your window treatments looking Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

DIY Carpet Repair Tips

Have a section of carpet that has been stained, pulled, torn, or cut? Here are a few ways you can repair it yourself:

Patching things up
Does your carpet have a stained spot that needs replacing?

1. Cut out an unnoticeable spot (such as in the back of your closet) and place over the damaged area to see if it’s the right size.
2. If you have a match, cut the patch of carpeting to the surface using a utility knife.
3. Bonus tip: use a piece of plywood beneath to prevent cutting through more than the patch. 
4. Tape the patch in place and cut out the damaged area. Use the patch as your guide and use the utility knife to cut out the damaged part.
5. Stick double-sided carpet tape on the floor and press the patch into position.
6. Once completed, call a textile expert to learn about more effective solutions they can offer.

Handling carpet tears
Typically you’ll find a tear along the seam of your carpet, caused by dragging your furniture over it or too much foot traffic. Here’s what to do:

1. First thread heavy fishing line through a large, curved upholstered needle.
2. Push the needle through about one half of an inch from the edges of the tear and space the stitches about three-fourth inches apart.
3. Bonus tip: If your seams were previously glued together,  you find it tough to get the needle through. Use needle-nose pliers to glide the needle through more easily.
4. Call Triple S to learn more about our professional repair and reweaving services.

Whether it be a stain, burn, or worn patch of carpet - or you need a thorough cleaning, the textile experts at Triple S can lend you a helping hand! Triple S is a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and offer a wide variety of services to help keep your carpets and rugs looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

We have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street
Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue
Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Stop! Keep Dirt at the Door

April showers will be here soon, which means you'll be kicking up more dirt in your tracks. Fortunately, you can stop the dirt from ruining your beautiful floors by following these steps:

Choose a good mat. Welcome mats come in all shapes, sizes, and textures. You’ll want to choose one dependent on the amount of foot traffic your enterence receives. For example, if you (and guests) use the front entrance more often than the back entrance, you will keep floors cleaner by purchasing a heavy-duty mat for both inside and outside. For your outdoor mat, choose coir matting or vinyl-backed synthetic turf. For the inside mat, go with nylon or olefin with rubber backing.

Wash your mats. It seems like an obvious step, but many homeowners often overlook this important task. Mats get dirty extremely easily, so hose them down and scrub them with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Let them air dry and make sure they are completely dry before putting them back to prevent your floors from warping.

Create a shoeless zone. Make your home a shoeless zone for everyone. Encourage your family and friends to take off their shoes before entering your home or to wipe thoroughly on both the outdoor and indoor mats. People will respect that you want a clean home and spotless floors - just make it easy for them to oblige (a shoe rack or basket is a good idea).

Don’t forget about paws. People aren’t the only one’s with dirty soles! Before your pet returns from being outside (especially in the rain), wipe their paws and dry off their fur. You’ll be keeping your floors clean, but also keeping your furry friend cozy!

Will you think twice before walking into your home with muddy shoes? We know we will!

At Triple S, we know how important it is to keep your floors clean, fresh, and bright! We offer professional cleaning services for all of your textiles and more. Triple S is a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Getting Rid of Allergens in Your Home

Spring is right around the corner and you know what that means! Pollen will be filling the air and making allergy-sufferers sick once again. Keep your drapes and furniture clean with these professional services. 

Tile Cleaning and Sealing. Whether you have grout, marble, granite, or porcelain floors, constant foot traffic can make allergies worse. By hiring a professional to clean and seal these surfaces, you can get rid of those hard-to-clean dirt marks and tough dust.

Rug Cleaning. Oriental and area rugs need care too! Although rugs don’t carry as much pollen as other textiles do, removing those everyday spills, dust, and unhealthy allergens are key to keeping the air in your home clean, fresh,and bright. Many professional cleaning companies also offer green cleaners to eliminate the use of harsh and unnecessary chemicals in your home.

Fabric Keeper Maintenance. When it comes to hardwood and tile, you can scuff dirt up in the air if you don't clean regularly - that’s where Fabric Keeper Maintenance comes in. This type of professional service will pick up soils and make fabric look and feel cleaner longer.

Keep allergies at bay this Spring by taking advantage of these professional services and vacuuming on a weekly basis. At Triple S, we offer these professional cleaning services and more. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Avoid These Shocking Air Pollutants in Your Home

When you think of the word “pollutants” you probably imagine smoke and other fumes that are released into your home. But what you probably aren’t aware of is that we are exposed to many air pollutants on a daily basis. Here are a few of the most common, yet most shocking (and how to avoid them): 

 

Dust - Dust might seem harmless, but buildups under your bed or along your baseboards come with millions and millions of dead skin cells as well as pollen. Let’s also just say that dust is a breeding ground for most and insects. To eliminate the stuffy air, vacuum and wipe your floors at least once a week and set your bedsheets on high in the dryer after washing.

Candles - How can such a beautiful aroma be so bad for your home? Research has found that paraffin candles emit chemicals that are linked to serious health risks, such as neurological complications and liver damage. So instead, choose cleaner mood lighting in the form of electric votives. Either that or purchase natural alternatives, like soy candles, which burn slower and emit less soot. 

Stove - Gas stoves are known for emitting nitrogen dioxide, a highly reactive gas that can irritate the lungs and create an uncomfortable household environment. To avoid this worrisome, make sure you always have a fan running when whipping up something good in the kitchen. Even investing in a high-quality ventilation fan can significantly improve the quality of air in your home (and so can opening the windows).

Do any of these air pollutants exist in your home? If so, you can get rid of them simply by choosing eco-friendly alternatives and allowing your home to breathe. And don’t forget, no matter whether you have carpet, tile, or hardwood at home, keeping up with healthy cleaning habits can make matters better.

At Triple S, we offer carpet and upholstery cleaning to help you eliminate air pollutants in your home. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street
Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue
Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue