Tips for Cleaning Your Sofa

Between family gathering, pets, and kids, your sofa gets a lot of use, so it's important to keep it clean. Whether you’re looking to prolong the life of your upholstery or just freshen it up, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you’re using the proper methods.

Read instructions. Treat all of your upholstery with special care. The type of material your sofa is made of will determine which type of cleaning methods are safe to use (and which ones are not). So be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before using any product, or test a small, unnoticeable spot to see whether or not a solution is well suited for the fabric.

Regularly clean fabric. Sofas stain easily, especially when they’re not in use. Before taking out any chemicals, remove dust by vacuuming, preferably with the upholstery attachment that comes with your vacuum. If you don’t own a working vacuum, you could also use a soft-bristled cleaning brush to loosen the dust and sweep it off.

Wipe down leather and vinyl. If you own a leather or vinyl sofa, wipe it down with a soft, damp cloth to remove dust and stains. This is because vacuums do not work at well on this type of fabric, but you could also sweep with a small, dry broom.

Seal all fabrics. Once you’ve removed dust and stains from your upholstery, be sure to seal it with a ProSeal formula of fluoropolymers and co-polymers. In doing so, you can improve fade resistance, color fastness, and abrasion resistance in addition to resisting common spills.

At Triple S, we offer professional upholstery cleaning and Proseal Fabric Protector to take care of all your upholstery needs. We have three main plant locations:

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

Insect Damage on Wool Rugs

Do you have a wool rug at home? Wool material is made to last, so chances are it’s in great condition. That is of course, if it is properly taken care. Placing a rug in the wrong conditions means it may get eaten away by moths and carpet beetles.

By taking good care of your wool rug, you can avoid insect damage. Here’s how:

Regularly check your rug. Look for signs of damage. Moths prefer dark undisturbed areas, so pay particular attention to the underside edges as well as both back and front areas that are under heavy furniture. Do you see any missing wool? If so, you might be looking at insect damage.

Vacuum periodically. The best course of action is to vacuum the back of your rug, especially areas under heavy furniture. It also helps to rotate a larger rug and keep areas along baseboards clean. Rugs with food and urine stains are more subject to damage and should be cleaned more often, so keep your eye out for such stains and vacuum accordingly.

Bring rugs to a cleaning plant. Although cleaning wool area rugs at home can help clean signs of damage, it will not clean the back or underside where insect damage starts. That being said, having your rug professionally in-plant cleaned on a regular basis is important.

The best way to know if you have inspect damage is to look for signs of damage. Moth larvae will leave behind silken tubes or mats, often the color of the wool. Beetles, on the other hand, leave behind shed skins and fecal pellets the size of a grain of salt, which should aid in identification.

If you think you have damage contact Triple S. We have the necessary training and experience to safely and effectively clean your rugs. We also recommend you call a licensed pest control provider. Triple S is a founding member of ARCS – Association of Rug Care Specialists.

We have three main plant locations:

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

How to Clean Your Vacuum

A vacuum is one of those home appliances that makes cleaning up a whole lot easier. But with all that work it does, it needs a bit cleaning up of its own to stay in tiptop shape. We know it helps to have a checklist at hand, so below are a few quick maintenance tips that’ll help your vacuum run more efficiently:

Remove the dirt container. It’s common for the dirt container to be exposed to dust whether or not your vacuum includes a bag. So remove the bag if you have one, remove the container, and rinse thoroughly.

Check the filter. It’s important to clean your filter, especially if you have a newer model. Be sure to read the manual that came with your vacuum and either clean or replace the filter periodically (but more often if you use it frequently).

Clean the brush roll. The spinning brush underneath your vacuum catches a lot of dirt, hair, and debris. And if you don’t clean it once in awhile, it won’t work as well as it once did. By removing the brush roll and using an old comb to clean it, you can help it to run better.

Don’t forget the attachments. Take out any extra heads and extension tubes that come with your vacuum cleaner, as they can also get backed up with debris inside. With a mix of warm water and dish soap, wipe them down with a damp cloth and let dry before putting them back.

For more cleaning tips, connect with Triple S on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!

We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are ready to help you get your carpets, drapes, and upholstery looking new again! We have three main plant locations:

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

Bathroom Cleaning Secrets

From moldy walls to dirty faucets, every bathroom has its cleaning challenges. If you’re a homeowner, then you know the importance of keeping your home clean. If you need a little help cleaning your bathroom, here are a few secrets you should know:

Clean for a minute. A minute a day can keep the dirt away! By washing shower walls after every use you can prevent mold growth. Wiping down faucets can prevent soap scum. There’s a lot of little tricks you can follow to make cleaning quick, easy, and effective. Contact Triple S to learn more about bathroom cleaning secrets!

Let it breathe. Don’t let mildew grow in your beautiful bathroom. Increase the amount of airflow by turning on your fan during and after a shower and open the windows when you can. Not only will this keep your bathroom clean, but it will also protect your health!

Avoid harsh products. Got ring stains on your bathtub? While there are many products out there that promise you spotlessness, the truth is that many can create stained rings and other types of oily residue. The same goes for cleaning your tile floors! It’s not easy to pick the right product for the job. But by calling a professional cleaning expert, your floors can look brand new again.

At Triple S, we offer grout, tile, and stone cleaning services to make your surfaces look their best! Nobody knows more about the care and maintenance of natural tile and stone than we do. We take great pride in the quality of our work and service, backed by our guarantee of 100% satisfaction or your money back!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

Prep Your Backyard for Winter

Winter weather can wreak havoc in your backyard, whether it be your deck, patio, or furniture. It’s important take precaution to make sure nothing gets ruined over the next several months. Below are a few steps to help you prepare:

Clear the deck. Clearing the deck of leaves and debris can help prevent mold and mildew from forming. Use a broom to sweep off the loose debris and then grab a blower to get all the hard-to-sweep leaves and dirt off your deck. It also helps to hose it down before it gets too cold out to do so. 

Cover up furniture. Covering up your large pieces of furniture can protect them from getting ruined from all the precipitation that usually falls in the winter months. This is especially beneficial if you have wood furniture, as rain, snow, and condensation can damage the finish.  

Store cushions. Storing your outdoor cushions can help to preserve their color and material. But make sure you store them in your home, as this can leave a trail of dirt inside! Instead, hire a professional to store them. Not only do professional have a warehouse to store them in, but they can clean them as well!

If you need professional outdoor cushion storage and cleaning, turn to the experts at Triple S! We will clean, sanitize, and protect your cushions through the winter months. No longer need to worry cleaning or storing them yourself - we will carefully store them in our dry warehouse and have them ready for pickup or delivery the week you want them in the spring!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

How to Make Your Bedroom Feel More Cozy

If the fall weather makes you want to wrap yourself in blankets, you know it’s time to get your home ready for the cooler months ahead. Making a short list of decorating methods is all you need to make your bedroom feel more cozy and inviting. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Add dark colors. If summer is all about whites, then fall and winter is about changing it up. Dark colors like chocolate, orange, and red will set the mood for chilly weather and remind you that there’s no place sweeter than your own home! Even if it means just swapping out those yellow pillows for red ones instead, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable.     

Switch up window treatments. Fold up those sheers and roll out those heavy drapes. The thicker the material, the warmer your bedroom will feel during those cold nights of strong winds and snowfall. And if you have thermal ones, that’s even better! 

Grow seasonal plants. During the harvest season, you may want to stick to herbs and marigolds. But when December rolls around, it’s all about dark greenery and poinsettias to get you in feeling festive. 

Throw on layers. You may be surprised how adding a faux fur throw can make a difference. When you throw layers over your feather down comforter and across your upholstered chair, it gives you a place to curl up and relax. Throwing down an extra rug or changing up your current one for some wool instead can make your bedroom feel more cozy too!

Don’t forget - a cozy home is also a clean one! If you’re about to cross “clean the house” off your do-to list this season, turn to the experts at Triple S! We have all the appropriate equipment to get your bedroom looking brand new again! We are 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

How to Keep Your Floors Spotless

Nobody likes a dirty floor, but cleaning is a project we often overlook. Truth is if you don’t clean on a regular basis, your floors can become hazardous to your health. So whether your have hardwood, tile, or carpet, here are a few simple tips to help you keep your floors looking spotless:

Vacuum weekly. With all the dirt and food that gets caught between your carpet fibers or in between your grout, it’s easy for you to pick up germs. That is why it’s a smart idea to vacuum on a weekly basis. Not to mention it can help you prevent more high maintenance cleaning later on. But for more high traffic areas, vacuuming every other day can be a safer option. 

Stop tracks at the door. Shoes pick up small particles of grit and fertilizer that can leave traces around your home without you even realizing it. But taking your shoes off at the welcome mat can significantly keep your floors more clean, especially if you and your children spend lots of time outdoors.

Sweep daily. Crumbs, dirt, and spills can make your floors look significantly more dirty overtime. So mop up those coffee spills once they happen, sweep up those bread crumbs once they drop, and pick up that dirt once you see it. In doing so, you can prevent your carpets and tile grout from staining. 

At Triple S, we know how important it is to keep your floors spotless. That is why we offer several professional cleaning services including carpet and grout tile cleaning. 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

Your Fall Cleaning Checklist

As the leaves start to change colors, we’re reminded that it’s time to do a little cleaning up at home. To make your space feel cozy for the fall and winter months, there are a few tips that can help. Read on to get started:

Switch up the sheets. Silk sheets and lightweight quilts are ideal for summer. But when the temperatures get chilly it’s time to swap those out for flannel sheets and feather down duvets. The heavier the sheets, the better night’s sleep you will get. But if you love your quilt and don’t want to stow it away, you can always fold it up at the head of the bed just in case you need an extra layer!

Dust your blinds and baseboards. Your blinds and baseboards collect a lot of dust and allergens throughout the warmer months. So if you haven’t done so already, go around the house and clean them with a vacuum before the first cold day. By skipping this step, you can cause your heating system to blow the dust around, which can cause lots of discomfort.

Sweep the chimney. If you have a fireplace in the home, it’s a good idea to get a professional inspection and cleaning before using it. This can ensure that there’s no debris or hazard to pose a threat to your home and your family.

Vacuum regularly. It’s common for the home to get dusty when you turn the heat on, which is why it’s important to vacuum. To keep your home feeling clean, try to vacuum as often as you can - a weekly cleaning can help immensely! Bonus tip: by using an upholstery attachment for your furniture, you can protect delicate material from getting sucked in the nozzle.

For optimal results, add professional cleaning to the list! At Triple S, we offer expert carpet, drapery, and upholstery cleaning to help you get your home ready for fall. We are 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