Are You Cleaning Your Vacuum Right?

Like any other household appliance, we owe it to our vacuums to keep them clean. The more we use them, the more filthy they become. And while it’s easy to forget to clean our vacuums properly, taking just a few minutes to follow these 3 steps can save you from having to purchase a new one:

Step 1: Remove Dirt
One of the biggest mistake you can make is forgetting to clean the dirt container and bag. Remove the bag, empty out the dirt, and replace or rinse and put back in place.

Step 2: Check Filter
You filter needs to be cleaned often, depending on how often you vacuum. Be sure to read the manual that came with your vacuum and either clean or replace the filter periodically.

Step 3: Clean Parts
From the brush roll beneath your vacuum to your extension tubes, you will need to get rid of the dust and dirt inside. Wipe them down with a damp cloth and let them dry after cleaning with a mix of warm water and dish soap.

If vacuuming isn’t giving you the clean results you desire, turn to 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.

We have three main plant locations:

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

The Best Dog Hair Removal Tips

Calling all dog lovers - does your furry friend shed all over your home? Do you find clumps of fur over your carpet and upholstery? If you know the feeling well, then you know it can be a nightmare keeping up with the mess (but not impossible). Here are a few friendly dog hair removal tips you can easily do even as you rush out the door.

Buy a lint roller
Many of you already have these. If not, then stop at your local grocery or pet store while you’re on the road. The adhesive is made for easy dust, pet hair, and dandruff removal. Sometimes we feel rushed in the process, but if you roll over your fabric in slow strokes, you’ll have better success at removing what your pet leaves behind.

Use velcro
If that doesn’t work, try a velcro pet hair removal tool such as the Evercare Magik Brush. This product has been around since the 50s. It works on most materials including cloth, upholstery, carpeting, drapes, and bedspreads. It is fully reusable without the need for refills. Plus, it’s easy to clean! Brush over your upholstery and carpets right before bed or first thing in the morning to keep up with your ever-shedding furry companion.

Vacuum regularly
For best results, use an upright vacuum cleaner regularly. It doesn’t have to be every day, but every few days is perfectly suitable for keeping pet hair and dander at bay. Because dogs tend to shed most in spring and fall, now is the perfect time to purchase a new vacuum if yours is out of service or isn’t getting the job done right!

Need a bigger cleaning? Contact the textile experts at Triple S. We have the high-quality tools and expertise to keep your carpets, upholstery, and draperies Clean, Fresh, & Bright! We also love pets just as much as we love cleaning!

Triple S is 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

Prep Backyard For Cold Weather

The temps are slowly dropping, which means winter is on its merry way! Is your outdoor space ready for the ice and snow? From prepping your lawn to keeping your deck clear, here are the important tasks you’ll need to complete before this season is over:

Sweep
Autumn brings cool weather and lots and lots of leaves. You may also experience a few tropical storms around this time of year, which leads us to this tip: sweeping. Sweep the leaves, sweep the debris, sweep anything that could get stuck under the snow (because we all know what lies ahead). Repeat as needed to keep your deck or patio clear of any obstructions.

Disconnect hoses
Prevent your pipes from freezing by disconnecting your outdoor hose. When you forget to disconnected this hose for winter,  the water that remains within will freeze and almost certainly cause the lining to crack. If you have a control nozzle on your hose and freezing occurs, the ice will put pressure on the pipes connected to the house and result in an entire home plumbing problem. We say be safe and disconnect now.

Trim lawn
Now is your final chance! Make sure you fertilize and mow the lawn before the first freeze of the season. Rake away dead leaves that fall and cut your lawn, leaving just about 2 inches. The last thing you want to do is worry about mold and tall grass popping up through the snow which accumulates on your lawn all winter long.

Store cushions
Protect your outdoor furniture by storing umbrellas, chairs, and patio cushions. Some professional cleaning plants will even pick up your cushions, store, clean, and return to you next season so that bad weather doesn’t get the best of them.

Triple S offers seasonal patio and boat cushion cleaning to keep your outdoor furnishings protected for next spring. As part of this service, we will pick up your cushions, clean, store, and return them looking better than ever! To learn more about our free winter storage going on now, visit us on the web.

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

Decorating With Royal Blue

Choosing a color scheme for your home can be a tedious process. The decision depends upon many elements such as style, space, and design preference. But if the choice has your head spinning, we know one color that is sure to be a perfect fit:

Calming
Psychologically, blue is a refreshing, calming color, perfect for your home. But many different shades of blue convey different themes and emotions. For example, royal blue reminds us of the evening sky while light blue reminds us of the ocean waves.

Bold
Blue is a bold color, but it pairs perfectly with neutrals such as tan, beige, white, and ivory. Add a splash to your space with pillows and an area rug, paired with complementary hues such as orange and yellow.

Timeless
The best part about blue is its timelessness. Blue goes with any style and any season. Royal blue suites the winter months perfectly. Add it to your modern, traditional, or contemporary home. 

A few ways you can incorporate blue into your room are:

• Pairing it with soft white fabrics
• Add it to your nautical themed home
• Make it the color of your patterned tile, fabrics, and rugs to create a Moroccan style
• Dedicate one wall in your powder room for an accent wall

Breathe new life into your home with blue accents! For more expert design tips, please contact us at DUC Interiors - a division of Triple S. With over 50 years of experience we are here to help you keep your home looking and feeling Clean, Fresh, & Bright throughout the season!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

Grout Cleaning Secrets

Grout is a fundamental part of the tile in your bathroom and kitchen. And keeping your grout clean helps the overall appearance of your space and improves the presence of your home. However, oftentimes washing grout is overlooked. 

With constant foot traffic, use of commercial cleaners, and moisture, your grout can take a serious beating. Here’s how you can get it back:

Sealing

Keeping your grout clean sometimes means resealing it to perfection. Lots of dirt and dust effect the color of your grout, which is where a professional grout and tile cleaning company can come in, renew, and repair!

Cleaners

Sometimes all you need is an everyday cleaning solution. For instance, when it comes to grout between your backsplash, a pH-neutral, streak-free cleaner is easy to use and can restore the beauty of your grout.

Bonus Tip

When scrubbing grout yourself, use an unused toothbrush. The brussels are fine enough to get between your tile and the handle of the brush will make it easier to use!

At Triple S, we can make your tile and grout look new again with professional cleaning and sealing! We use top notch cleaning solutions and machinery to deep clean and rinse away residue. Plus, we give you a free bottle of our famous Balance Neutral PH Cleaner for easy, everyday use. To learn more about our grout and tile cleaning services, visit us on the web.

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

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