Recycling Old Cleaning Products

Going Green? Don't toss out your old household cleaners - recycle them instead!

Recycling might seem like a chore to most people, or a lifestyle. We see is as a way to proactively protect our beautiful environment. Chemical cleaners can be harsh, and just tossing them away much like we do with other objects, foods, and bottles can have harmful effects. If you’re ready to jump on the green bandwagon but are hesitant on how to begin, we’ve got a few tips for you:

Can I recycle plastic household cleaners?
First check the labels for any specific disposal instructions. Most times, it states very clear directions on what you can do and cannot do. Next, check with your recycling locator to see what type of plastic is accepted. Prior to recycling, empty the unused plastic bottle carefully and as instructed on the label.

Should I pour cleaner down the drain?
Most household cleaning products are designed to go down the drain, but every product is different. If there aren’t any labels, think about how you use your product - does it mix with water? Most liquid, gels, and powdered water-soluble products can be disposed of down the drain. As for solid products, such as soap scouring pads and towelettes - they can be placed in the trash.

Are there any household cleaner laws?
Some household cleaning materials are considered hazardous to the environment if disposed improperly, unless marked as a green product. But let’s face it - mistakes happen. And most of us have had that “uh-oh” moment where we accidentally dispose of the product wrongly. Best you can do is check the label of the product you own for proper disposal instructions and try to remember to recycle. You can even place your separate disposal bins in sight as a friendly reminder.

At Triple S, we’re more than just a full cleaning service for your upholstery, drapery, valances, and carpets. We are also dedicated to keeping our planet a safe and healthy place to live. That is why we use green cleaning methods that keep the environment feeling good and your furnishing 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

Trending: Bright Colors in Your Home

Without color, your home can appear dull and uninviting. Keep things feeling energized with these home interior trends to easily switch up throughout the seasons.

What kind of bright colors should you fill your home with? Keep your eye on these trends:

• Blue, red, and yellow
• Vibrant pink and orange
• Shades of green
• Deep purple and light periwinkle
• Pink, green, and yellow earth tones
• Rust, mustard, and burnt red
• Royal blue and turquoise

How can you incorporate these colors? We’ve got a few ideas:

• Add bright colors on a printed fabric for upholstery and draperies
• Hang paintings with vibrant colors
• Add a splash of color to your kitchen or bath backsplash
• Border the tile surface
• Switch up your bed or table linens
• Make your kitchen pop with bright colored chairs
• Place an accent chair in your living space
• Choose a bold colored rug to compliment your neutral furniture

Add a touch of bright to your home this season to energize your living space. For more ideas or for help with your next design project, please contact us at DUC Interiors - a division of Triple S. With over 50 years of experience we are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright throughout the season!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

Making Pet Allergies Work for You

It’s sad to think about how many pet lovers sacrifice their four-legged friends to save their respiratory health. Allergies are no joke, especially when it comes to owning a pet. Before you give up hope, we’ve got several solutions that can make pet allergies work in your favor.

What are we really allergic to?
Before we can make pet allergies work for us, we need to get to the bottom line of why we suffer from these allergies to begin with. A common misconception is that a pet’s hair alone is enough to make us feel sneezy. The truth lies within the protein in the dander. Like with any allergy (including peanut and hay), there is always a protein in the substance that your body is reacting to. 

Pet allergy-producing proteins, called allergens, are also found in your pets urine and saliva. Because these proteins are tiny and easily airborne, it’s no wonder why some people can develop allergies even when the dog is out for a walk.

What can I do?
So you’ve tested positive for pet allergies - now what can you do?

Step 1. Change your environment. This means keep your bedroom pet-free, get into the habit of cleaning often, and consider purchasing a HEPA filter to remove tiny airborne allergens.

Step 2. Change your daily habits. In other words, wash your hands more often, take medication if needed, consider allergy shots, know your environment and where your pet is more likely to make a mess, and don’t give up! The more you alter your habits, the more easily you’ll be able to minimize your allergic reaction - just give it some patience!

At Triple S, we offer several cleaning services to help eliminate airborne allergens and upholstery once 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 no matter how messy your furry friends might be!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

DIY Green Cleaning Recipes

There was once a time when chemical cleaners were the best method of cleaning everything in your home. Now we’ve switched to green cleaning, which is not only more effective but can also help to improve the air quality in your home.

If you look in your pantry, you might find that you already the bare necessities:

• White vinegar
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Essential oils (like tea tree, lavender, or eucalyptus oil)
• Castile soap
• Fresh herbs and citrus peels
• Oil or vegetable oil
• Water

Bathroom Cleaner
A bathroom cleaner should be “green” but also strong enough to scrub your tiles and countertops. It should also be gentle when it comes to everything glass, including your windows and mirrors! For a most natural method, use half vinegar and half water for scrubbing soap scum and grime off tiles.

Kitchen Cleaner
You bathroom cleaner can be used for kitchen scrubbing as well. But with all that cooking you do, mask the garlic or onion based stench with an essential oil. Try 3 drops of grapefruit essential or tea tree for a refreshing aroma.

Triple S is dedicated to green cleaning and offer many eco-friendly services to keep your house looking Clean Fresh & Bright throughout the seasons. We take great pride in the quality of our work and service, backed by our guarantee of 100% Satisfaction or your money back!

We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and proudly serve Norwalk and the surrounding regions.

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

The Right Way to Clean Your Drapes

Drapery cleaning is one of the most overlooked household chores. But just think: you open the window and all this pollen comes flying through. Where does it go? For the most part, your drapes act as a shield for the rest of your home, so it’s important that you clean them regularly.

It might come as a shock, but cleaning your flowy drapes are easier to do when hung as opposed to laying out flat. Now, what exactly is the best cleaning method? We’re glad you asked!

Vacuum with the correct nozzle.
Just like your carpets, your drapes need to be vacuumed too. But yes, there is a wrong way to vacuum your window treatments! The best results, take out your dusting brush nozzle, which can easily brighten your textile and remove dust. This nozzle won’t tug too tightly on your drapes, but it will remove the dirt and dust. 

Hire a Professional
Sometimes vacuuming isn’t enough to remove tough dirt and stains. Perhaps the task is just too big to fit into your busy schedule. No matter the reason, no problem - you can hire a professional to get the job done efficiently and quickly. At Triple S, we are all experienced experts on all drapery. What we will do is revive the color, maintain the still and perfectly shaped folds, while assuring exact length and perfect hemlines (whether we clean draperies in our plant or in your home).

Visit us on the web or call one of our three locations to learn more about our drapery and valance cleaning. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and proudly serve Norwalk and the surrounding regions.

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

Creating a WOW Factor White Room

Think an all white room is too dull or stressful to maintain? White is one of those colors many homeowners shy away from when in fact it is the most welcoming color you can decorate with. And while this monochromatic look might seem simple, there are a few tips to help you achieve that “WOW” factor:

 

Start with a blank slate
Don’t be intimidated by an all-white room. Instead, look at is as a canvas - an opportunity for you to find what inspires you.     

Use white in the kitchen
We can’t think of a more perfect way to let your modern or traditional style shine through with ultra white lacquer finished countertops and white wooden cabinets. Homeowners love this look because it’s both timeless and classic!

Create a combination
Ever notice how pairing contrasting colors such as white, black, gray, and brown look so luxurious? Whether it be the kitchen or living room, pair stainless steel or metallic finishes with brass, copper, and gold - these metallics pair great with the crispness of white.

Say “yes” to white upholstery
Thinking white upholstery is harder to keep clean? While this might be true, place white furniture in places where you’re likely to have less traffic. You can also consider a faux leather, faux suede, or slipcover material for pet and kid friendly spaces.   

Warm things up
If your room is lacking personality or that “cozy” feel, consider layering whites in similar shades or warm whites, ivory, gray, and beige. Play with textures to add more depth to your space and throw on ceiling to floor cream colored window treatments to add more warmth and height.

For all of your white interiors, keep them clean with Triple S services. We are a family owned and operated carpet, upholstery, and drapery company with many more services available to homeowners and business owners. To learn more about how you can keep your whites Clean Fresh and Bright, visit us on the web.

We have three main plant locations:

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

What Your Pets Really Need In the Heat

The dog days of summer have arrived! Great for heading to the pool - not so great for your furry friends. Animals have emotions and sensitivities just like we do. The only downfall is that they can’t speak for themselves, especially when it comes to heat exhaustion or dehydration.

The best thing we can do to ensure their utmost comfort is to learn a little more about how we can keep them cool. If they were to speak, here's what they would say and why:

"Let's beat the heat!"
One of the smartest things you can do is keep your furry companion indoors during peak hours of the day, when the sun is at its strongest point. Encourage them to “chill” out and relax on the cool tile or wood floor. Instead of heading out in the afternoon, take them for a brisk morning walk or a late evening stroll.

"Can we find some shade?"
If you do have to be outside, make your pet at comfortable as possible by finding a shady area, under a tree or umbrella. And don’t allow them to walk on the hot pavement. Remember: your little ones don’t wear shoes, so the pads of their paws can burn while walking across a hot surface.

"Do leave me at home."
While running errands on a hot summer’s day, leave your pet at home. Although you love the companionship (and we’re sure they do too), animals can suffer from hyperthermia in a hot car when the temperature rapidly rises to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more. It’s called solar heating, and it can seriously affect your pet’s health and ability to stay cool.

"Keep my fur, please."
Many pet owners mistakenly believe that shaving off their pet’s hair will help cool them down during summer. In reality, the layers of your pet’s coat helps to protect them from overheating and sunburn. Trimming hair is perfectly fine, but shaving might lead your furry friend to feel even more hot. Bonus tip for cat owners: brushing your cat more often can help remove loose fur and more importantly, overheating.

"I'm thirsty." 
We can’t stress this enough - water is everything for your pets. In addition to overheating, your loved one can also get dehydrated quickly. That’s why you’ll want to make plenty of fresh, clean water available to them. A sign they could be dehydrated? Panting. It’s the most effective way for animals to cool down and evaporate fluids from the respiratory tract. It’s also an indication that you need to give them access to fresh water right away.

If you find yourself spending more time indoors this summer with your little companion, chances are bigger messes can happen in your home. At Triple S, we understand these situations and want to help. That is why we offer a wide array of cleaning services, from upholstery, to tile, carpet, and more. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and have three main plant locations:

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