How To Match Your Drapes With Your Flooring

So you’re designing a newly remodeled room and everything is almost finished. You’ve laid down flooring, picked out the furniture, and brought it all together with accent pieces. But one thing thing is missing - your drapes of course! Matching these with the style of your room can be a task in itself. Here are a few stylistic tips to complimenting your drapes with your flooring.

Staying Neutral

Colors are very important when it comes to constructing a good image for your room. After all, you wouldn’t pair green with bright purple, right? In this example, remaining neutral is critical to creating a comfy environment for not only you, but your guests as well. Black. brown, beige and white are great neutral colors that not only pair well with most flooring colors, but can help greatly by blocking natural sunlight if needed!

Color Families

Unless you play for the Lakers, pairing highlighter yellow and bright purple probably isn’t the best combination. When it comes to keeping your room aligned with one style, stay with the same color in different shades. For example, dark blue drapes would pair very well with sky blue accents such as an area rug. Keeping this in mind can also assist in finding things to add as a tasteful decoration!

Patterns Are Key

It may not seem like a big deal, but a diamond quilted pattern probably won’t match too well with a floral print. Instead, shoot for things that are in the same family as the other. For example, if you can find striped drapes, pairing them with striped throw pillows can completely change the appearance of the room. It’s exciting to think about how much more inviting your room can be with subtle changes like this!

Triple S is a family owned business with over 50 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry and are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright this season!

We have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

How to Prevent Your Carpet from Buckling

Carpets make for a beautiful addition to any home, but without proper care they won’t look brand new forever. One of the most common problems that can happen with your wall to wall carpet is wrinkling and buckling. And who wants to entertain in a room with wrinkly carpet?

So to keep it looking brand new for years to come, here is how you can prevent this problem before it arises:

 

Choose the right cushioning. Selecting the right density, thickness, and weight for your carpet cushion is key to making sure your carpets don’t buckle on you. Choosing a carpet cushion that is not the proper thickness or density for your carpet can cause separation of the carpet seams, which ultimately causes buckling. That being said, consult with a professional textile expert about which cushion is the best for your carpet and living space.

Check the room temperature. Are the humidity levels in your home high? When installing carpet, your room temperature should range from 65 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit, while the humidity level should range from 10 to 65 percent - no more no less. Installing carpet in a room that’s too warm or too humid can cause your carpet to start buckling before you’ve even started using it.

Be gentle with furniture. When rearranging your furniture, make sure you lift the pieces rather than dragging them across your carpet. Dragging a couch across your carpet will only cause separation from the adhesive strips beneath the carpet and cause buckling. If this occurs, you probably will need to have your carpet stretched by a professional.

Clean up spills. Spilling a glass of juice or wine on your carpet can also cause buckling. That is, unless you fully clean up the mess properly. The more often you spill, the more moisture your carpet will be exposed to, which will cause it to dry and buckle. So to fight accidental spills, follow these professional spot removal tips before the mess dries up on you.

At Triple S, we offer professional carpet cleaning services to prevent your favorite piece of home decor from buckling! 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

Caring for Your Pet Through the Seasons

For most of us, a loving home wouldn’t be complete without our furry friends by our side. They show us unconditional love, and in return, we take them with us on vacations and long strolls around the neighborhood. But to show our pets the utmost love, it’s almost important to keep them clean, healthy, and safe.

With National Love Your Pet Day around the corner, here are a few tips on how you can shower your pet with love all year round:

Winter
Stay indoors - Keep your pets indoors during the cold winter months and notice if they start to shiver. But when keeping them indoors, keep in mind that the perfect indoor temperature for you might be too warm for them.

Keep the fur - Keep fur long in the winter and groom as often as possible, as they will shed more onto your furniture and carpets. Lather them up with tear-free shampoo too - especially with all the dirt and snow they catch from being outdoors.

Summer
Stay cool - Have your pets relax in shady areas during the hottest days of the year, such as hot surfaces like asphalt. Also, check to see if they are panting heavily - they are probably dehydrated and need water. Get creative by assembling a blowup pool and filling it with cool water for them to splash around in!

Shave short - Give them a short trim to keep their skin cool, as too much fur can keep the heat trapped in their body.

Other
Keep teeth clean - From teeth-cleaning treats, such as GREENIES, to pet friendly dental powders, there are plenty of ways you can better your pet’s dental hygiene without making the process too miserable for them.

Know about diet - Educating yourself about your pet’s diet can keep your pet healthy and free of illness or an upset belly. No matter what kind of pet you have at home, there are certain limitations to what they can and cannot eat. And know that no matter how much they might beg for that piece of chocolate, you’ll be showing them even more love by keeping it out of reach.

At Triple S, we make keeping your home and your pets healthy a top priority. Take advantage of our several cleaning services to restore your carpets, drapes, 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

5 Rug Rules Everyone Should Know

With endless types of rugs on the market and countless factors to consider, choosing a rug for your home can seem overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be! Keep these five rug rules in mind to make buying new home textiles a simple process:

Rule 1: Consider foot traffic
Take into consideration the kind of lifestyle you live. Do you have family and pets? Do you entertain often? Answering these questions will help you to significantly narrow down your options and choose a material that is perfectly made for lightly traveled area as well as highly traveled ones.

Rule 2: Choose quality
Rugs are an investment for any home, so choose one that is most durable. Perfect examples of high quality rugs include natural materials, such as wool. Shy away from cotton and synthetic materials, as these are delicate.

Rule 3: Say yes to runners
Runners are great for entryways and hallways because of the constant foot traffic they receive. Choosing a runner will make your home warmer and make guests feel more welcome. However, because these areas get more foot traffic than other areas in the home, be sure to select the kind of material that can be cleaned easily. 

Rule 4: Find the perfect size
The right type of rug will fit your room so that all furniture either has at least two legs on it or none at all. Before purchasing a rug, measure the length of your seating area to find out just how much of your floor needs to be covered.

Rule 5: Vacuum regularly
No matter what kind of rug you own, it’s bound to get dirty from day to day. Remember, just because you can’t see the dirty, doesn’t mean it’s not there. So blot up any spills immediately and vacuum on a regular basis (at least twice a week) to keep your rugs looking spotless.

No matter what type of rug you choose, the textile specialists at Triple S are here to help you keep it clean! We offer many professional cleaning services, including oriental and area rug and wall to wall carpet. 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 this winter!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

Most Common Floor Stains in Winter

Floors look beautiful until something comes along and stains them. And even though you spend more time outdoors during the summer, the winter can actually cause more accidents. From picking up snow outside to spilling hot beverages, below are a few of the most common floor stains and how to get rid of them:

Mud is one of the most common stains during winter due to the slushy outdoors. To prevent mud from ruining your carpets and hardwood, lay out a mat by the front and back doors and take off your shoes before stepping inside. Also, wipe your furry friend's paws if you take them outside. And if you already have muddy floors, either wipe it up (if you have hardwood) or call a professional cleaning service (if you have carpet).

Salt is another common type of stain that not only messes up the look of your floors, but also eats away the finish on your wood. This also a result of the wintery outdoors. The solution? A mix of white vinegar and water. Wipe the floors if you walk around with your shoes on or have guests over.

Hot chocolate is comforting in winter, but can wreak havoc on your floors. Just imagine spilling chocolate on your white carpet during a cold winter night. Don’t panic - mix one teaspoon of white neutral detergent, one teaspoon of household ammonia plus a half cup of water. Then mix one third cup of household vinegar with water. Be sure to avoid mixing ammonia and bleach during this cleanup process.

Candle wax is a common stain when you light your home with candles during a power outage or on a freezing cold night. But if you apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol and one teaspoon of a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, you should be able to get rid of the mess in no time!

Triple S is your go-to source for all types of floor stains. Not only can we help you with spot removal, but we also offer professional carpet, drapery, and upholstery cleaning services. Contact our rug expert Steven DeMarco II at ext. 405 if you have questions about rug stains. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience and are here to help you restore fresh carpets no matter what the mess 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

Rug Do's and Don'ts

Rugs are a great starting point when decorating your home. But how do you know where to start - what size and color to choose, how much to spend, and when exactly to purchase one? Although choosing a rug doesn’t have any set rules, there are a few tips that can help you avoid picking one you might regret down the road:

DO choose furniture first
A rug must also be the appropriate size surrounding your furniture. While it’s OK to have the front legs of a large chair on the rug and the back legs off, all the legs of smaller pieces should be on the rug. As for your dining room table, the rug should be large enough so that all the legs are on the rug when pulled out from the table.

DO choose proper size
Be mindful when selecting a rug size for your home. You don’t want one that is too small nor too big for your furniture (or for the room itself). For example, choosing a rug with smaller dimensions in a large room can make your space appear smaller than it is. But choosing one too large in a small room can have the opposite effect.

DON'T splurge too much
A stunning rug doesn’t have to come with a large price tag, so set a reasonable budget for yourself before shopping. Besides, the more money you save on one rug, the more you can spend purchasing a second one to swap out when the seasons change.

DON'T avoid patterns
Don’t be afraid to shy away from a simple rug. Mixing and matching patterns can in fact compliment a room. Just be sure not to pair clashing patterns and colors. Sometimes a pop of color and pattern can be more appealing to the eye than simple, neutral themes.

If concerned about clean ability of a rug, ask the Rug Expert Steven DeMarco II at ext. 405! Triple S is your source for top notch professional cleaning services. We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience, ready to help you get rid dirt as well as accidental stains.

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 Prevent Slouchy Couch Cushions

Do you love your old couch too much to replace it? Although many of us don’t love change, there’s something to said about couch cushions that look worn and torn. So before your furniture becomes uncomfortable and embarrassing to look at, here are a few tips to help you prevent them from slouching:

Flip them over.

Flipping your couch cushions upside down can balance out the weight distribution so you don’t sink into one side too much. So before you even start to notice slight slouching, flip them (as often as every few weeks). You can even swap them with cushions that get the least use.

Wash them.

Most cushion covers are removable. So unzip them from the cushions and wash them in cold water (be careful to follow fabric instructions!). Cleaning your couch cushions should tighten the fabric and keep the foam from stretching.

Add foam.

Measure and cut out sections of foam and fit them inside your couch cushions. You want to use ½ inch foam, as you can always add more if one layer doesn’t do the trick. Then rezip the cushions and shift around with those that have more buoyancy.

Be gentle.

Avoid flopping down on the couch and letting children jump on the, as this can wear down the cushions faster. Sleeping on them for long periods of time can ruin cushions as well. In other words, be careful of how much you use your cushions and the way that you treat them.

Need help with your cushions? Call our re-upholstery manager Ed Marcarelli at Ext 703. At Triple S, we upholstery cleaning services to make your furniture cushions look brand new! 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