Cleaning Your Vacation Home

Once summer finally arrives, you should be in vacation-mode — not cleaning-mode! If your family has a home away from home for the next 3 to 4 months, it’s best to take a trip to your oasis now to start cleaning!

We know that it can be hard to find the time, but if you don’t want to be completing chores for hours on arrival, grab your cleaning supplies, a cleaning buddy, and start scrubbing! 

Indoor Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen:

• Clean ALL kitchen appliances and equipment (i.e., coffee maker, microwave, grill). Don’t forget to give your pots and pans a good rinse — they’ve been left aside for dust and debris to collect.
• Wipe down all countertops, stovetops, and glass cabinets.
• Stock your fridge and pantry with plenty of food, snacks, and drinks for your family an friends to enjoy when they arrive.
• Replenish your kitchen with dish and hand soap, garbage bags, pot holders, and dish towels.

Living Room:

• Dust off ceiling fans, lamps, blinds, TV units, and air vents.
• Clean glass windows and curtains or blinds.
• Wipe down your couches and clean any blankets or upholstery.
• Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget to vacuum!

If you need a professional carpet or upholstery cleaner, call Triple S!

Bathroom:

• Clean, scrub, and sanitize your entire bathroom — toilet, sink, and shower included.
• Restock toilet paper, hand towels and shower towels, and shower supplies.
• Check for any leaks or clogs with your plumbing.

If you want to take your cleaning one step further, read our blog: 4 Ways To Green Clean Your Bathroom!

Bedroom:

• Change bedsheets, pillowcases, and comforters. It will also come in handy to have a few spare bed sheets, pillowcases, and blankets for your guest bedrooms. 
• Check and change any broken light bulbs.

To find out how to clean your bedding, read: We Care For Bedspreads and Comforters.

Outdoor Cleaning Checklist

Patio

• Powerwash and sweep the deck.
• Clean your patio furniture and cushions.
• Clean your outdoor grill utensils.
• Replace any broken landscape lights.

If you left your patio cushions with Triple S for cleaning and storing, call us and we’ll deliver them straight to your door!

Yard

• Plant new flowers and pick out any weeds.
• Plan out your watering schedule for the summer.

Read, How To Give Your Backyard Personality.

Extra:

• Clean the windows, screens, and shutters.
• Powerwash your home’s siding.

At Triple S, we are dedicated to keeping your home Clean Fresh & Bright through all four seasons. So if you need us this summer, please don’t hesitate to give us a call! 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 Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaner For Your Home

In our attempt to keep your home environmentally friendly, Triple S has proudly used DICC for around 10 years.

Greening the Cleaning® has a line of products that strive to eliminate all cleaning agents containing hazardous ingredients and replace them with eco-friendly products. 

Here Are 4 Reasons Why You Should Try It

1. It’s All Natural
Greening the Cleaning® makes a strong effort to make formulas that contain naturally-derived, plant, and mineral-based ingredients - avoiding harmful toxins.

2. It Protects Animals And People
These products are never tested on animals and are not formulated with animal-derived ingredients or known human carcinogens. All ingredients are fully disclosed!

3. It’s Used In Facilities Nationwide
Greening the Cleaning® products have been implemented in hospitals, schools, day care centers, government facilities and businesses around the country. Not to mention, they are used at Hackensack University Medical Center - the 4th largest hospital in the country.

4. It Helps Non-Profits
All profits from GTCTM products go directly to the Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center for supporting the Greening the Cleaning® program. It also funds research and education to ultimately protect the environment from toxins that threaten children's’ health. It also helps the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) to provide for those who are blind and visually impaired.

Triple S helps protect the environment while keeping your home eco-friendly! We are a Clean Trust* certified firm that can help you meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations for Indoor Air Quality programs. We have three main plant locations:

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

How To Clean Your Bedroom in 4 Easy Steps

Do you have clothes dangling off your bed, towels hanging over your door, and random piles of mess on the floor? Well, no more! Although smoothing your sheets and picking up your clothes might not seem like a high priority as you’re rushing around in the morning, you’ll reap the benefits come the end of the day.

The key to cleaning your room is being prepared and understanding which tasks need to be tackled first. If you follow these simple, daily chores, you will consistently maintain a peaceful space.

1. Declutter and Pick-Up
You want to clear off as many surfaces as you can. So organize and empty your room of any items that don't belong. Throw dirty clothes in the hamper and rehang any outfits on the floor.

2. Dust All Surfaces
Take a moist cloth and wipe up any dust on your furniture. Don’t forget about the tops of mirrors, windows, and even your blinds. Use a hand attachment with your vacuum to get to the hard-to-reach spots. This step only has to be done once a month.

3. Vacuum The Floor
Spend some extra time behind/under your bed and other furniture. You should also try cleaning your mattress. You can also come in and have a professional clean your hardwood floors or wall-to-wall carpeting.

4. Remake The Bed
Whether you tuck your covers in or drape them loosely, make sure you’re making your bed before you leave your room. This simple task alone can set your day off on a productive note.

At Triple S, we know how important it is to keep your floors, drapery, and valances 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

Go Green: 4 Ways To Clean Your Bathroom

Nowadays people are finding new and eco-friendly ways to clean up their home (bye-bye, bleach!) and for good reasons! Harsh chemicals cause environmental damage and are hazardous to your health. So why not try these green cleaning tips instead?

1. Little By Little

If given extra time in the morning (or at night), make it a daily habit to clean up after every shower. Overtime, that icky black mildew can grow and grow. So wipe up the surface with a non-bleach cleaner. And if you can, reuse your towel twice before tossing in the laundry.

2. Natural Scents

Don’t let your bathroom stink up! To keep it smelling fresh, squeeze several drops of essential oil, such as eucalyptus or peppermint into a small vessel and let it sit on your counter top. In the guest bath, leave a few options for your visitors to enjoy!

3. Shower Head Cleanse

Shower heads can become clogged with mineral deposits, so skip the harsh chemicals and fill a plastic bag with undiluted white vinegar. Then, tie the plastic bag over the shower head and let it work its magic overnight. Lastly, scrub the surface clean with a toothbrush - should be good as new!

4. Air It Out

While the best way to prevent mildew is to turn on the exhaust fan, another eco-friendly and energy efficient option is to crack open the window when showering. This will allow the steam to escape before you fog the windows up!

Looking for more green cleaning tips? Turn to Triple S! We can help you efficiently clean your tiles, grout, counter tops, and more! We are a family owned business with over 50 years of experience.

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 Buy Safe Cleaning Products 101

Cleaning is more than just a chore, it’s a science. And if science wasn’t exactly your forte in grade school, 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. But sometimes even your most favorite brand can tweak its formula and add harmful ingredients. Make sure you’re constantly checking the ingredients list of every item you buy, including your most beloved and trusted brands.

CLEANING TIPS

For cleaning up stains, be sure to avoid mixing ammonia and bleach during the cleaning process. Also, 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

Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks

From cleaning your tile and grout to purifying the indoor air you breathe, this month, Triple S is focused on helping you create a healthy and happy home environment. And in honor of National Cleaning Week, we have a few more tips to help with your spring cleaning.

Keep cleaning supplies within reach.
By having easy access to your cleaning supplies, you’ll save time and energy when you clean.
Get them out of your attic or basement and make room in your cabinets or closets.

Work from top to bottom.
People often make the mistake of cleaning their floors and then working on the final touches (i.e. cabinets and faucets). However, if you start at the top (walls, windows, ceilings) and end with your floors, you’ll avoid re-cleaning multiple areas.

Use your time wisely.
If you clean efficiently, you’ll cut down on your cleaning time. For instance, after spraying a cleaner on your fixtures, take out the trash. When you come back inside, your fixtures should be ready for a good scrubbing.

Carpeting and rugs
Clear out your family - and their clutter - and wash your carpets and rugs (don’t forget to treat the wood underneath your area rugs as well).

Curtains
Most curtain fabrics can be vacuumed with an attachment, spot-cleaned, and steamed. However, lace and sheers should be tossed in the dryer on the delicate cycle with no heat.

Upholstery
Be fabric-specific when spot-cleaning your furniture and check your labels - generally, synthetics are DIY, but natural fibers will need professional cleaning.

If you need help with your spring cleaning, call the textile experts at Triple S - we’ll make the process a breeze! We serve Fairfield County, Greenwich, Cos Cob, and the surrounding regions of Connecticut!  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

How To Avoid a Carpet Cleaning Disaster

Stains on your carpet can be an absolute disaster...we know!

But the mess that they cause isn’t always the worst of it. Sometimes, it’s the process that follows — or should we say, your cleaning method.

A dirty spot on your carpet can be temporary if remedied the right way.

Here are a few methods to ensure you avoid any and all hiccups while cleaning your carpet.

Leave The Bleach Alone!

While it may seem like a strong cleaner, bleach can cause irreversible damage to your carpet, and leave entire areas of it discolored forever.

When cleaning your carpet, think of it as clothing-- if you wouldn’t clean your clothes with it, don’t clean your carpet with it.

Assess The Stain Immediately

Depending on the type of stain, it is critical to understand the type of cleaning method you’ll need to move forward with. Did you spill your favorite cocktail? There are specific methods to cleaning that prove much more effective than the ones for a blood stain.

Blot, Don’t Rub!

Paper towels, napkins, and towels are great options for spills and stains. Scrubbing will only spread the stain and force it into areas that may not be reachable.

If The Stain Is Dry, Vacuum First!

Chances are, your vacuum has the reach and cleaning capabilities far superior than using a bit of elbow grease. Applying this type of suction from different angles gives you the possibility of cleaning the stain without having to get on your hands and knees.

Call The Professionals

If your pesky stain won’t come out after a few trials, it might be time to give it a rest and make the call. The professionals will have access to equipment to clean even the toughest blemishes!

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