Consider Yourself A Carpet Expert?

Most homeowners know that in order to keep their carpets clean, they have to vacuum weekly and spot clean a spill right away. But, besides the basics, how much do you really know about the flooring you step on every day? Here are 10 interesting facts about carpets.

1. The Norwalk virus, or Norovirus (the virus that causes the stomach flu), can survive on an uncleaned carpet for a month or more.

2. The oldest surviving carpet is over 2,000 years old. It was found in the 1940’s in a Scythian tomb in southern Siberia.

3. The five-second rule is a myth! Bacteria can live after four weeks on carpets.

4. A person sheds about 1.5 million skin flakes an hour, most of which becomes embedded in our carpets.

5. To make a carpet brighter, sprinkle salt onto the carpet and let it stand for an hour before vacuuming it up. Salt is also effective in removing muddy footprints.

6. Carpet has the same Latin root as ‘carpe diem,’ which means to pluck/seize the day.

7. Vacuum cleaners were based off of a street-sweeping machine made by Edmund Heming’s in 1699.

8. When the vacuum was first invented, cleaning your carpets was called “bisseling” rather than “vacuuming.”

9. According to the American Floorcovering Alliance, any carpet smaller than 40 square feet is considered a rug.

10. Red carpets are traditionally used during formal routes and to mark ceremonial occasions. The first reference to a ‘red carpet’ is Agamemnon by Aeschylus in 458 B.C.

For the freshest carpets, call the experts at Triple S! We have the tools, equipment, and knowledge 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

Keep Floors Clean In High-Traffic Areas

In high-traffic areas of your home - hallways, doorways, and family rooms - your flooring can take quite the battering. And nothing ruins a beautiful home like dirty and dull floors. Follow these tips to help keep your floors in pristine conditions.

Plan. Avoid the mess by creating (and sticking) to a floor-cleaning schedule. Designing a plan makes it easier to accomplish this task rather than pushing it off for another day, week, or even another month. Keep in mind, high-traffic areas are more prone to spills and stains, so they will need to be monitored more often than other rooms.

Remove. Whether you have hardwood, tile, or carpet floors, you should make your home a mandatory shoe-free zone. By leaving your shoes at the welcome mat, you’re eliminating a large percentage of dirt, salt, water, and other contaminates that can track around your space.

Vacuum. Carpets act as a trap - removing VOC’s, dust, dirt, and other particles. Since your carpet is one of the biggest air filters in your home, it’s important that you vacuum your floors on a weekly basis and at least twice a year by a professional.

Sweep. Let’s face it - it’s hard for your home to go through one day without any crumbs, dirt, or spills on the floor. Make sure you’re sweeping up the crumbs, vacuuming the residue, and spot-cleaning any stains.

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.

We have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

How To Choose Safe Cleaning Products

Cleaning is more than just a chore, it’s a science. The goal is to make your space clean, yet if you’re using products with toxic chemicals, you’ll end up doing more harm than good. You may be in unfamiliar terrain while shopping for safe cleaning products, but Triple S is here to help.

Inspect the ingredients. Just because the label says “natural,” “non-toxic,” or “eco-friendly,” doesn’t mean that it’s true. Verify the product by looking them up on EWG’s Guide To Healthy Cleaning. Here are a few major ingredients to look out for:
• Petroleum Solvents - Also known as surfactants, this solvent is derived from the toxic chemical petroleum.
• Phthalates - A hormone disruptive that are often components of complex synthetic fragrances.
• Chlorine Bleach - Very strong, corrosive, and irritating.

Choose healthy alternatives. You don’t need harsh chemicals to get things cleaned. In fact, there are plenty of healthy (and arguably better) alternatives on the market.
• Baking soda.
• Vinegar.
• Lemon juice.
• Essential oils.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Once you find a brand you love, it’s hard to part ways. However, sometimes companies tweak their formulas, adding harmful ingredients without your knowledge. Make sure you’re constantly checking the ingredients list of every item you buy, including your most beloved and trusted brands.

CLEANING TIP: 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.

At Triple S, green cleaning is of the utmost importance to us. We use quality green cleaning formulas, the most modern techniques and equipment. We then apply all of our skill, energy and experience into restoring their like-new look & beauty.

We have three main plant locations:

Stamford Plant | 400 West Main Street

Norwalk Plant | 337 Westport Avenue

Stratford Plant | 1800 Stratford Avenue

Say Goodbye To Your Old Rugs

Even though your carpet has reached the end of its life in your home, that doesn’t mean it can’t be re-purposed. Yet, according to the EPA, Americans put five billion pounds of carpet a year into landfills. If you’re considering a carpet change, there’s good news on the waste front: There are multiple ways to get rid of your old carpet or rug without sending it straight to the dumpster (where it will stay for hundreds of years)!

Sell it. Instead of throwing your old carpet in the trash, see if someone else can use it. Selling your flooring at a garage sale or through ads online keeps it out of the dump and puts some extra cash back in your pocket. 

Donate it. Many charities will take old carpets and rugs, including animal shelters who will use pieces of old carpeting for the bottom of animal cages. Craigslist’s “free” section and Freecycle are other great resources.

Recycle it. While almost all carpet components are recyclable and reusable, only about four percent is recovered. If you're looking to recycle your old carpet, there are multiple places that can turn it into everything from roofing shingles to furniture batting. Are you a Connecticut resident? You can recycle your old carpet and rugs at Norwalk’s Transfer Station and Recycling Center.

Reuse it. Your old rugs can do more than just decorate your floors. By cutting it up into bits and pieces, you can use your carpeting to move heavy furniture, clean your windows, or even make coasters. 

Before you throw your carpets or rugs away, we highly recommend a professional cleaning from Triple S! We have the necessary training and experience to safely and effectively clean your rugs, carpet, and upholstery. 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

Shape Up Your Drapes

For the most part, your drapes act as a shield for your home. However, in the springtime, a surprising amount of dust, oil, pollen, and bacteria can build up. Cleaning your window treatments is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it can also reduce the amount of allergens trapped in your home, directly affecting your indoor air quality.

Clear your sheers. Nearly all sheer curtains today are made of nylon, polyester, or cotton, which means they can be machine washed and dried. Clean them on a gentle cycle, with warm water. Tumble-dry on low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes and rehang immediately -- you shouldn’t have to iron.

Spot-clean shades. Before you treat any splotches on Roman, pleated, and other non-washable fabric, make sure you give your shades a good dusting first. If the fabric has water spots after cleaning, fade them with a steamer or iron.

Routine curtain cleaning. After your deep cleaning, remember to dust your curtains and drapes regularly with your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment or with a soft, long-handled broom with synthetic fibers (synthetic fibers are better at collecting dust).

Sometimes dusting isn’t enough to remove tough dirt and stains. In order to get the job done efficiently and quickly, call the textile experts at Triple S. We’ll revive the color and maintain the perfectly shaped folds - all 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

How Clean Is Your Carpet?

Keeping your carpets clean enhances the appearance of your home, extends the life of your textiles, and improves your families' health. Yet despite the many benefits, 70 percent of homeowners cover carpet stains with furniture instead of cleaning them. So although your carpets may seem grime-free, there’s way more filth than meets the eye.

Despite your best efforts, your carpet will eventually fall victim to spills, accidents, and whatever’s on the bottom of your shoes. For the freshest carpets, call the experts at Triple S! We have the tools, equipment, and knowledge 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 Store Your Rugs

Do you want to give your home a fresh, new look for the spring season? It’s a common mistake for homeowners to stash their belongings in the basement, attic, or garage without thinking twice. But believe it or not, there’s actually a right and wrong way to store your winter belongings - including that cozy flannel rug.

Step #1
Clean your rugs thoroughly. That means wash and vacuum your rugs to ensure that you remove any pet dander, dust mites, soil, etc. Any dirt or debris left on your rug can cause deterioration over time.

Step #2
Make sure your rugs are completely dry. Use a wet/dry vacuum to extract as much water as possible before you place your rug in storage. If it’s warm outside, allow it to air-dry for 10-12 hours.

Step #3
Roll your rug instead of folding. Folding a rug can leave cracks and creases. Before you begin rolling your rug, find the ‘direction of the grain’ of the carpet fibers. Start making your roll from where the direction of the grain begins, and roll as tightly as possible. Secure the rug with a piece of rope.

Step #4
Wrap up your rug. Make sure you’re wrapping the rug in brown paper and not in plastic. Paper allows the rug to breathe whereas plastic suffocates the fibers.

Step #5
Keep your rugs off the ground. It's best to store your rugs on an elevated surface to protect them from any harmful elements (i.e. water and insects). Also, keep your rug away from direct sunlight - this can fade the colors.

Before you put your carpets or rugs in storage, we highly recommend a professional cleaning from Triple S! We have the necessary training and experience to safely and effectively clean your rugs, carpet, and upholstery. 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