How to Recycle at Home

For many people, recycling is about separating plastic bottles and holding bottle drives. But if you think outside the box, you’ll realize there are plenty of other recycling methods to try at home. Here are three tips we suggest starting with:

Save Water
Think about the amount of water you use when washing your laundry, dishes, and decorative accessories. It’s no wonder that hundreds of gallons are wasted each day. And if you’re not conscious just how much water you could be saving, our environment can suffer even more. So if you’re all about conserving water for our planet, consider the following tips:

• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry
• Check the water setting on your washing machine and adjust properly
• Reuse your bath towels twice to three times before washing
• Water your lawn in early morning just before sunrise
• Don’t put the sink water on full blast

Choose Eco-Friendly Textiles
There are plenty of organic textiles that are just as sustainable as non-organic materials and will make your home feel more breathable- for example, eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, silk, wool, jute, or hemp. So swap out your cotton sheets for organic cotton in the bedroom. 

Use Green Cleaning Options
Another recycling method to try at home is to use green cleaning options rather than relying on harsh chemical cleaners. While there are many DIY spot removal methods to try at home, you can also benefit from asking a textile specialist about green cleaning options for some of the larger cleaning jobs.

At Triple S, we are dedicated to green cleaning your home furnishings, carpets, and upholstery. Our team uses Deirdre Imus Greening the Cleaning Products, which contain naturally-occurring, plant and mineral-based ingredients. Our efforts also support non-profit organizations with each green cleaning purchase.

Triple S is a family owned business with over 50 years of experience. To learn more about our services, click here.

We have three main plant locations:

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

Easy DIY Cleaning

From Memorial Day BBQs to graduation parties, it’s likely that your rugs and furniture will get stained at one point or another. So how do we clean up the mess? Don’t panic! We’ve got a few DIY expert spot removal tips here:

Ice Cream

• Mix 1 tsp of white neutral detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Mix 1 tbsp of household ammonia with ½ cup of water.
• Mix ⅓ cup of white household vinegar with ⅔ cup of water.
• Mix a solution of powdered enzyme laundry detergent (be sure to follow label or box directions). Allow the solution to remain on the stain for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer.
• Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol. Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizing, backings, or stuffing materials. Avoid using gasoline, lighter fluid or other flammables.

Mustard

• Mix 1 tsp of white neutral detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Mix ⅓ cup of white household vinegar with ⅔ cup of water.
• Mix a solution of powdered enzyme laundry detergent.

Beer

• Mix 1 tsp of white neutral detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Mix ⅓ cup of white household vinegar with ⅔ cup of water.

Grease

• Apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol. Use small amounts to prevent any possible damage to sizing, backings, or stuffing materials. Avoid using gasoline, lighter fluid or other flammables.
• Mix 1 tsp of white neutral detergent with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Mix 1 tbsp of household ammonia with ½ cup of water.
• Mix ⅓ cup of white household vinegar with ⅔ cup of water.

For cleaning up stains, be sure to avoid mixing ammonia and bleach during the cleaning process. And as always, test the spot removal method in a hidden area of your carpet or upholstery before applying to the entire area. Lastly, blot - do not rub or brush, as this can agitate and distort your textiles.

If all else fails, call the textile experts at Triple S! We have the tools and equipment to help you make your carpets and upholstery look Clean, Fresh, & Bright 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 Throw the Best Memorial Day BBQ

T-minus one week until Memorial Day weekend! If you’re kicking off the start of summer with an outdoor BBQ, there are just a few chores you’ll need to take care of before guests come knocking at your door.

 

Create a seating arrangement
Make sure you have enough seats for everyone. If you only have ten chairs but twenty guests on the invite list, not all of your guests will be comfortable. The simplest option is to press dining chairs into service and add drum stools or poufs. You can also rent folding chairs for a small price and have picked up the following day.

Light up the night
Don’t leave your guests in the dark! Add lanterns, tealights, and turn on the fire pit if you have one. Hang the lights along your deck, backyard fence, or even tree branches. There are many different colors from which to choose so you can also stick to a color theme (might we suggests red, white, and blue?).

Keep the bugs at bay
Warmer, more humid weather means more bugs. So protect your guests from getting bit by setting up citronella candles on the table and leaving a can of bug spray (or a box of wipes) out. Bonus tip: Look for products that contain the repellent picaridin instead of DEET.

Tidy up
Most of your guests will be in the backyard and in the kitchen, so focus on tidying up those two areas. This means wiping down countertops and floors, your windows, as well as your furniture. Sweep the deck, wipe dirt off the table, and vacuum cushions. 

Hopefully your outdoor cushions are clean for summer! If not, contact Triple S for professional patio and boat cushion cleaning services. 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

How to Pet Proof Your Home

For many of us, our pets are like our children. We love them unconditionally and spoil them every now and again. Even if your pet is timid, it’s important to pet proof your home the way you would for your kids. As a homeowner, it’s up to you how you plan to provide a safe environment for your beloved pet, but here are a few tips to get you started:

Kitchen

• Place cleaning items on high shelves
• Store food out of sight and out of reach
• Keep pets out of the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop (especially if they can easily jump onto the counter)

Bathroom

• Put medications and over-the-counter drugs in a medicine cabinet
• Keep the toilet lid down to prevent pets from drinking the water
• Keep trash bins out of reach so pets cannot get into the garbage

Living Room

• Keep wires out of reach to prevent your furry friends from chewing on them
• Make sure air vents have proper covers
• Protect furnishings against accidents by choosing a solution like Proseal Fabric Protector

Yard

• Keep sharp objects and tools in a place where pets cannot reach them
• Check the fence for holes or gaps where they can possibly squeeze through
• Make sure pets stay off the lawn if the gardeners laid down fertilizer or pesticides on the lawn

For more tips on how to pet-proof your home and clean up accidents, connect with Triple S on Facebook and Twitter! We offer professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, as well as offer a ProfSeal Fabric Protector.

We have three main plant locations:

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

Choosing a Summer Rug

Dressing up your home in summery hues gets us in the mood for warmer weather. We can switch up our pillows, window treatments, and even our rugs. With plenty of sunshine on the horizon, here is how you can choose a rug to reflect the summer:

Style
This summer, go with a nautical, beach, or aquatic theme in your home. These trending themes can be achieved by opting for jute, seagrass, or hemp.

Color
Keep things light and airy by choosing a neutral color or a light shade, such as pink, lilac, or yellow.

Pattern
Summer is the time to play things up in your home, and one way to do that is to choose a patterned rug. Geometrical patterns or simple parallel outlines are ideal, especially when choosing a multi-colored rug.

Material
From jute to seagrass and even cotton, woven rugs are perfect choice for summer. However, when you opt for a cotton rug, be sure to protect it by sending it to Triple S for professional cleaning and proper padding.

Durability
When you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, you may want a stain resistant rug! From your pet’s paws to your kids shoes, there’s a lot of dirt that can get kicked around. So it’s a good idea to choose a rug that will be easy to clean.

Need for a top rated padding and cleaning for your area rug? Triple S has an array of recommended padding solutions as well as professional cleaning services. For more expert tips on carpets, call the cleaning specialists at Triple S! We have three main plant locations:

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

The Simplest DIY Sewing Projects

Accessorizing your home can be pricey, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are three quick and easy DIY sewing projects that can save you money and give your home a personal touch:

Dish Towels
Materials:
½ yard of double cloth (plaid)
½ yard of double cloth (hatches)
1 yard of 14mm twill tape
2 small spools of 100% cotton thread

Step 1:
Cut each piece of fabric into two rectangles (17 inches wides by 27 inches tall)
Cut the tape into two 9 inch lengths

Step 2:
For the first towel, pick one side of fabric to be the right side. Place the right side face up and fold and press the long sides of the rectangle over ½ inch twice towards the right side. Next, pin the folds in place and edge stitch down these folds. For further instructions, click here.

Hammock Chair
Materials:
1 ¼ X 3’ oak dowel
3/8 “ X 16’ braided polypropylene (buy by the foot)
2 yards of plain canvas
80mm stainless steel spring snap link
Black acrylic fabric paint
Paint brush
3/16” stainless steel quick link
Drill and sewing machine
Iron and ironing board
Shears

Step 1:
Fold your tow yards of canvas in half and lay flat (with fold on the left)
Measure about 7 inches in from the top edge and mark it off. Using a ruler, draw a line from the top of the mark to the bottom right corner. Cut through the pieces and open your canvas.

Click here to learn more.

Curtains
Materials:
Curtain fabric
Twill tape
Scissors
Measuring tape
Matching thread
Sewing machine

Step 1:
Start by trimming the fabric pieces for a single or double panel curtain. Fold the side edges twice and press. Repeat for the bottom edge and sew all them all.

Step 2:
Trim the twill tape about 5 inches long.

To complete this project, click here.

For all of your DIY home decorating projects, Triple S is here to keep them clean! We offer rug and wall to wall carpet cleaning, as well as drapery cleaning. 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

Preventing Fabric from Fading

Let the sunlight in - summer is approaching! But when you do, be careful where the sun rays go. Oftentimes, they can fade your precious household fabrics, like your drapes and pillows. To prevent this occurrence, we’d like to share a few tips on how you can get the most out of your household fabrics:

Comforters - Comforters rarely become soiled as they rest atop other blankets and bed coverings. Sooner or later they will acquire a stain or collect enough dust to warrant cleaning. Comforters left in direct sunlight can cause fading in some areas. That being said, it’s best to keep comforters out of direct light to prevent damage. If you find that your comforters are already fading, skip trying to fit the in your small home washers - we can process your them to get the dust out safely.

Drapes - Exposure to sunlight and changing temperatures can often lead to fabric damage in drapes. And overtime, soil and dust in the room, as well as outside atmospheric dirt and gases from automobiles and construction may ruin the drapes. Luckily, many of these soils can be removed through careful cleaning practices. Handmade quilts are especially susceptible to dye bleeding since the fabric components of the quilt vary. At Triple S, we test quilts to ensure no bleeding will ruin it.

Decorative Pillows - Upholstery fabrics used for furniture are usually used to cover decorative pillows. Occasionally, pillows are also made to match draperies or other home furnishings. Most of these items are not supposed to be cleaned unless the manufacturer recommends a procedure. Do not remove the stuffing from cushions for cleaning.

The best way to prevent excessive damage or fading is to swap out your drapes, comforters, and pillow periodically or with the changing seasons. And don’t forget to keep furniture out of direct light to minimize fading and prolong the life of your favorite fabrics.

For optimal protection from sunlight, choose 100 Douglas Window Treatments from DUC Interiors by Triple S.  We service Fairfield county including: Greenwich, Cos Cob, Old Greenwich, Stamford, plus more locations!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

Your Allergy Survival Guide

With allergy season in full swing, chances are if you’re allergy-sufferer, you’ve been scratching and sneezing more than usual. But that doesn’t have to be the case - we’ve put together an allergy survival guide to get you through the tough spring season:

1. Stay hydrated
A surefire way to keep allergens at bay is to drink plenty of fluids. And by that, we mean water to boost your electrolytes. When you become dehydrated, you become more at risk for making your allergy symptoms worse, which can become a vicious cycle if you don’t refill your glass often.

2. Vitamin supplements
Researchers have found that vitamins and minerals are linked to decreased allergy symptoms. Vitamin D and Omega 3 are both ideal supplements that have proven to stop the itchy nose and eyes once incorporated into a healthy, well-balanced diet.

3. Swiffer hardwood every day
On hardwood, it gets easy for dust to get blown around. And when dust becomes airborne, allergies can worsen. So reply on your handy Swiffer to mop your hardwood and tile floors daily - all it takes is a few minutes and a few sweeps!

4. Vacuum textiles weeks
It’s also important to take proper care of your textiles, such as your furniture and carpeting. Although having carpet is better for allergy-sufferers (due to the absorbency of dust and other allergens), it’s still beneficial to make sure you remove dust often, especially if you leave the windows open or invite guests over often.

Keep allergies down this season by making it a healthy habit to clean often and keep up with a healthy diet. You will also benefit from taking advantage of our professional cleaning services. At Triple S, we offer carpet, upholstery, tile cleaning, 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