Your 2016 Fall Cleaning Guide

Autumn is a beautiful time of year! It’s also a busy time for homeowners who are preparing for the chilly months ahead - especially those who live in the northeast. With breezy days upon us, take some time to tidy up and make your home as comfortable and safe as possible for the long winter soon approaching.

Inside the Home

• Clean and organized kitchen cabinets. Toss away expired foods and other foods you haven’t eaten in awhile. Make room for the new!
• Vacuum drapes and window treatments using the proper nozzle.
• Vacuum upholstered furniture or better yet, have professionally cleaned.
• Clean all bedding. This includes mattress pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, and comforters.
• Schedule professional carpet cleaning early next month.

Outside the Home

• Touch up the paint on your home’s trim, railings, and decks.
• Drain and store the garden hose. Install insulating covers on exterior spigots to prevent them from freezing.
• Check caulk around windows and doors and apply if necessary.
• Keep the deck and gutter clear of leaves when they start to fall. 
• Clean and store umbrellas, patio furniture, and patio cushions.

Fall cleaning means turning over a new leaf! Whether that means scheduling a professional carpet or upholstery cleaning, or storing your patio cushions, getting ready for fall is easy when you have the right contacts on hand! Triple S offers carpet, tile, upholstery cleaning and more! We also have seasonal patio and boat cushion cleaning to keep your outdoor furnishings protected for next spring.

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

5 Fast Facts from Textile Experts

At Triple S, we often receive questions from homeowners about caring for their household items. This includes carpets, comforters, draperies, and more. To help sift through some of the common questions we are often asked, here are five crucial facts you must know about such textiles:

1. Water stains appear when moisture from condensation on the window, humidity or spilled liquids causes the soils to disperse, leaving a stained area.

2. We often hear about white drapes that have yellowed noticeably in certain areas. Most fibers have a natural tendency to slowly oxidize and yellow from aging and atmospheric exposure. Any drapery material used to cover a window is exposed to both direct and indirect light.

3. The best way to prevent excessive damage or fading is to rotate a few different sets of drapes, blankets or comforters periodically, or with the seasons (hint: rotate them for fall!).

4. 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.

5. Comforters left in direct sunlight can fade in some areas. It is best to keep comforters and heirloom quilts out of direct light to prevent damage.

We hope these facts help you prepare for the seasons ahead! 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

Falling in Love With Decor

Today marks the official start of fall. As sad as we are to see summer go, the memories of last year’s crisp air and cozy nights indoors have us feeling excited about the month ahead! For every season, we go through some changes, especially with our home decor. 2016 holds some of the most unexpected fall design tips yet!

White on white: Gone are the days of dark colors. Ultra white is stunning, fresh, and unexpected for fall.

Neutrals: Pair neutrals together. Use warm neutrals such as beige, tan, and brown. The more layers and texture you add to your neutrals, the more cozy your room will feel.

Go bold: Bright colors are no longer for springtime alone. For example, mix blue and orange together to create a bold statement throughout the room and make sure the colors connect to each other.

Tell a story: One of the biggest fall trends is to tell a story with your distinct design. Tell people using your decor how you live your life and where you travel - whether it be an oriental rug from another continent or decorative accents.

No matter how you decide to decorate for fall this year, but sure to keep your rugs and upholstery looking Clean, Fresh, & Bright! At Triple S, our textile experts will help keep your home looking new as ever. 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

Furniture Cleaning 101

Many house rules include not eating on the couch and not letting the dog jump up. But let’s face it: sometimes accidents happen no matter how often you say the word “no”. To clean up the mess, whether it be chocolate or pet urine, here are a few tricks to jot down:

DIY
Method 1: Make an all-purpose cleaner by combining 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. No toxic chemicals involved. Be sure to spot check in one area before cleaning the entire surface.

Method 2: Mix a small amount of dry cleaning solvent or alcohol with one teaspoonful of white neutral detergent. Then mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half cup of water. For stains such as chocolate or grease, use one-third cup of household vinegar with two-thirds cup of water.

Pro Cleaning
At Triple S, we offer everything from professional cleaning to spot cleaning products:

Pet Urine & Stain Eliminator: Perfect for urine, feces, and vomit. These natural ingredients eliminate organic stains, while permanently destroying the malodor source. Approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute.

Triple S Spot Clean TWO: One of our best selling products! TWO BOTTLES is environmentally safe and does not contain perfumes, harmful solvents, or other hazardous ingredients. Non-toxic to humans, animals, and plants. Derived from renewable plant source surfactants.

For the freshest furniture, call the textile experts at Triple S! We offer upholstery cleaning to help you make your furniture look Clean, Fresh, & Bright! 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

Why Carpet Cleaning?

Picture this: every holiday and birthday, you host a party. Every winter and summer, you walk in with dirty shoes. Just imagine all the dirt and pollutants that are getting trailed behind in your carpet. Pretty gross right? While there’s always vacuuming, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned carpet cleaning. Why is this method still #1? Here’s your answer:

Stain removal
Carpet cleaning service goes beyond what your vacuum can do, and that includes stain removal. Carpet cleaning companies like Triple S have the experience and tools it takes to get those pesky stains out of your carpets and rugs unlike commercial cleaners can even take care of. 

Increased lifespan
Just like anything else in your home, the more you take care of your carpet, the longer it will last. We rely on green cleaning methods to get your carpets back into shape, which means you don’t have to worry about chemicals ruining your carpet.

Get rid of bacteria
A dirty carpet contains several sources of indoor air pollutants, including pet dander, allergens, particle, pollution, and dirt. When toxic airborne gases adhere to these particles, they can get trapped in your carpet, worsening the situation. Professional carpet cleaning services kills these bacteria through special formulas that remove pollutants. 

Improved appearance
The dirtier your carpets are, the more dull they look. Leave it up to professional carpet cleaning to restore your fresh carpet once more!

Deodorize
With pet dander and dirt also comes a musky odor. Vacuums can only do so much, but professional carpet cleaning can thoroughly deodorize your carpet and make it smell fresh again.

For the freshest carpets, 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

5 Facts About Hardwood Floors

Why do so many homeowners opt for hardwood floors? Well, a few reasons: not only do hardwood floors add instant value to your home but they also have a way of making your space feel more elegant. If you’re thinking about hardwood floors for your home, here are a few things you may not already know:

1. Uniqueness: You will never see the same hardwood floor twice. Because of its organic makeup, your wooden floors will be one-of-a-kind unlike many other laminate and vinyl flooring options.

2. Reactions to climate: Take good care of your hardwood floors by regulating indoor temperature and minimizing sun exposure. All hardwood floors will fade or change shades overtime, but that all depends on the amount of sunlight. Humidity can be another problem, as moisture can cause your flooring to warp. The same goes for accidental spills  if not cleaned up properly and immediately. 

3. Maintenance and repairs: By mopping, dusting, or vacuuming hardwood, you can easily take good care of your floors. Once a season, be sure to call a professional cleaning company to take care of those hard-to-reach stains.

4. Allergens: Believe it or not, hardwood floor can worsen allergy problems for some. The reason? Unlike carpet, hardwood causes allergens to go airborne as opposed to absorbing them. This means more allergens are flying in the air and around your home. So it is especially careful to clean often.

5. Budget: Although hardwood floors are more expensive than other types of flooring options, most take its lifespan into consideration. Hardwood flooring is more costly upfront but can last you a lifetime with minimal maintenance involved.

Need more expert advice on choosing floors? Contact the textile experts at Triple S! 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

Flooring Ideas for Your Bedroom Makeover

When it comes to designing your bedroom, your floors are essential. They should be both comfortable and fashionable, and should be something you know you will love for years to come. Whether it be a chic vibe or a comfortable feel, here are three flooring ideas we suggest:

Tile
There’s a wide array of flooring options, but ceramic happens to be our favorite. It’s a great option for those who want the flooring to flow from their master suite to the master bath. If you already have the furniture and are looking to redo the floors, use your existing furniture as inspiration. For example, if you have a light oak wood bed frame, choose a warmer beige tone. If your furniture and decor is white and more modern, go with a slate color.

Hardwood
Hardwood is the most common type of flooring that most homeowners use throughout their living space. You can choose an unfinished look or a polished touch. There’s also the option to do multi-shade flooring (a combination of light and dark wood planks). This is ideal for more rustic chic bedrooms. Whichever you choose, this option is timeless.

Carpet
Carpet is brilliant for those with allergies (yes, it’s true). Allergens become more airborne when your bedroom has hardwood but are absorbed better into carpet. We love natural fibers as opposed to synthetic fibers, such as wool. Not only is it eco-friendly but it’s also incredibly sturdy.

Once you settle on a bedroom  floor you love, turn to Triple S! We proudly serve Norwalk and the surrounding regions and can help you efficiently clean your carpets, wood, tiles, grout, furntiure, and more! We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience. If concerned about clean ability of your rug or carpet, ask the Rug Expert Steven DeMarco II at ext. 405

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

7 Tips To a Clean Office

With kids going back to school it reminds us that our offices need to be just as clean and organized as schools are in September. Whether it be your home office or your office building, here are a few tricks to start fresh:

1. Take a minute to organize receipts and documents. Place them in separate piles and throw away what you don’t need - especially if you can find it on your computer.

2. Toss away old pens. Chances are half of them are out of ink if they’ve been left open or you haven’t used them in a while. Leave out a few that you use often. If you have a pencil sharpener laying around that you don’t use, donate it to your local school.

3. Your desk can easily get covered with dust, so use the condensation from your iced coffee cup or wipe down the desk with a damp paper towel.

4. It’s always nice to get gifts at work. But if you have a ton of toys and cards scattered around your desk, either find a special place for them or toss them (this is your personal preference). You’ll be more able to focus.

5. If you aren’t at your desk, keep the food away. Not only will you get some unwanted guests, but you’ll also be more able to focus when you’re not eating.

6. Vacuum your upholstery and rugs or carpets. Chances are you vacuum in other rooms but might neglect your office space - make an effort to tidy up the space this fall.

7. You can also benefit from wiping up wooden floors if you have them. Eliminate all the dirt and allergens that came in spring so you’re off to a fresh start!

Need a professional carpet, hardwood, or tile cleaning? Contact the textile experts at Triple S. We have the tools and experience to help you keep your office space looking new again!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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