Flooring Do's and Don'ts

Renovating your home? From choosing furniture to flooring, decorating isn’t the easiest of tasks. But when you have expert advice from textile experts, the decision can be a whole lot easier! As your green cleaning service in Norwalk and the surrounding area, we’d like to share with you the do’s and don’ts of flooring.

DO consider your home’s layout. If you have an open floor plan, using the same flooring throughout the space can help create a continuous appearance.

DON’T underestimate durability. From heavy foot traffic to broken glass, your floor can take a beating - so choose wisely according to how often the room will be used.

DO keep climate in mind. Damp humid weather can shorten a floor’s lifespan. You’ll want to avoid hardwood floors from warping and floors from creaking.

DON’T contribute to air pollution. Your home gets enough from the outside. Did you know both traditional vinyl flooring and newly installed carpet can emit high levels of BOCs for up to 72 hours. Choose an eco-friendly option.

DO opt for carpet. It’s overall the most comfortable and can hold allergens more than hardwood can. Plus, you have plenty more color options!

DON’T think carpet is worse for your allergies. As we said, carpet can act as a filter for dust and dander, which surprises many homeowners.

Once you settle on a 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

Best Plants for Indoor Air Quality

Outdoor allergens is a big problem for many. But what makes matters worse is how easy it is for pollen, mold, and pet dander to trap itself inside your home. The result? Poor respiratory and allergy conditions. But poor indoor air quality doesn’t stop there. Beyond allergens are volatile organic compounds (VOC), like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. All of these compounds have been linked to cancer and neurological issues.

While there isn’t much we can do to stop the industrial world from producing these compounds, we can protect our homes. How? Let’s start with plants. Indoor house plants have a way of promoting clean air and serving as O-2. In a sense, they filter the air to some degree and absorb these pollutants. Some of the best plants for indoor air quality include:

• Aloe Vera
• Bamboo Palm’
• Chinese Evergreen
• Red-edged Dracaena
• Peace Lily
• Gerberas
• English Ivy
• Golden Pothos
• Spider Plant

Triple S knows the importance of good indoor air quality. That is why we offer green cleaning services to make your home Clean Fresh & Bright! Using 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. 

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

The Easiest Way to Housetrain Your Puppy

Housetraining your puppy can be frustrating. No matter how many newspapers you throw down, your little canine will still have those “uh oh” moments in the beginning. Some dog owners don’t know where to start training - that, or they’re making a few common mistakes. We’re here to set the record straight and make the process a breeze. Here are three ways to housetrain your puppy that you might be ignoring:

Establish a routine
It’s just like training a toddler - there are certain times to eat, sleep, and potty. Your pet needs this type of training as well, because without it, he will have a more narrow concept of time and limitations. Remember: if you puppy is two months old, he can’t hold for more than about two hours. That being said, eating before bedtime makes this all the more difficult. Pick up your puppy’s water and food dish about two to three hours before sleep to reduce the likelihood of potty time during the middle of the night. Your little one will eventually learn that just like humans, there is a time and place for eating.

Create a space
When you can't be there to supervise your puppy, make things easier for both of you by confining him to a space just big enough for him to comfortably stand, lie down, and roll around. For example, use a portion of your bathroom or laundry room, blocked off by child-friendly gates.

Be gentle
Accidents are prone to happen when your puppy is house training. But you can help the situation by interuppting your pup when you catch him in the act and making remarks, like “OUTSIDE!” But rather than punishing your puppy for having an accident, reward him for being good - the times when he does go out.

While you're training, chances are your pet will have accidents. Allow Triple S to help you fix the mess with our professional carpet and upholstery cleaning. We take great pride in the quality of our work and service, backed by our guarantee of 100% Satisfaction or your money back!

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

Tile Floors: What You Need to Know

Tile floors are a big investment that many homeowners know to be true. But keeping them clean can pose a challenge, especially if you have a large family, cook often, and host frequently. Before you invest in tile floors, we wanted to give you three pointers.

Fact 1: The bathroom and kitchen will likely get dirty
The bathroom and kitchen are two of the most high-traffic areas in your home, so it’s inevitable that your tile floors will pick up humidity, mildew, soap scum, and other oils. Whether your tiles are brand new or five years old, Triple S will help you get them sparkling clean again.

Fact 2: Your tile grout will stain
Notice those lines between your tile, also known as grout? They will easily get dirtied up by spills, makeup, cooking oil, and other types of stains. They easily seep through the lines between the tile, especially if yours is pure white! Your best attempt at camouflaging any dirt or oil stains is to opt for a darker grout color. However, if you’ve already settled on white, don’t panic! Seek a professional to seal your grout and keep your floors protected.

Fact 3: You will need to clean often
Aside from the weekly sweeping and wiping down, we recommend that you get a professional cleaning and sealing every 6 months to a year. This is will combat the seasonal stains that your tile and grout encounters.

For every cleaning you schedule with Triple S, we give you a fresh bottle of Balance Neutral PH Cleaner so you can take matters into your own hands and keep floors looking fresh and sealed all year round! Of course, you should still call the experts for the best results.

For professional grout and tile cleaning, call the textile specialists at Triple S. Nobody knows more about the care and maintenance of natural tile and stone than we do.

We have three main plant locations:

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

Best DIY Home Decor Projects

Most people grab their favorite items from stores like say, Pottery Barn or Bed Bath and Beyond. The problem here is that your home will look much like someone else's. But what if we were to create our own decor pieces? It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, but with a little time, dedication, and a few tools, you’ll feel good knowing your home was made with your own two hands (at least a little bit). PLUS, guests will asked where you purchased it, and you’ll have the satisfaction of telling them what a unique design you’ve made. We believe you can!

Fluff Your Couch
After a few years, your couch will start to sag. Most couch cushions have a back zipper. If yours do then give it a little extra fluff with this DIY idea:

• Remove the cushion from its cover
• Add three layers of Poly-Fil Quilt Batting to each foam cushion
• Secure each layer with a spray adhesive. Spray between each layer.
• Call a carpet and upholstery cleaning company to clean your couch cushions while you’re on the task

Copper Ladder
Now you might be thinking, “Why would I need or want a ladder?” Ladders believe it or not add personality in a room and act as fantastic storage spaces for throw blankets and towels. Try this one:

You will need copper plumbing pipes, brought at your local hardware store. Use a pipe cutter to cut the following:

• Top and bottom: 4X4 inches length copper pipe
• Five rungs: 5X12 inches
• Mid Section: 8X10 inches
• Using these different sized copper pipes, assembly should be straightforward.
• To cap things off, we recommend putting a dab of adhesive inside the copper tees and caps when assembling to strengthen the ladder.

Wall Hanging Art
Who said bathmats should only be used in bathrooms? Artisans create wonderful pieces of fabric that many times deserve a respectable display, so give this one a go:

• Stick three pieces of tape to create a triangle (or whatever shape you prefer)
• Paint within the lines with acrylic paint for a unique design (use blue, pink, green - you name it)
• One paint is completely dry, cut a bunch of 12 inch pieces of upholstery cord to make some fringe
• Hot glue should make this one stick

If your home needs more than fresh decor, say a professional upholstery cleaning, give the textile experts at Triple S a call - we’re happy to help!  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 no matter how messy your furry friends might be!

Triple S has three main plant locations:

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

What to Know Before Choosing Kitchen Backsplash

Gone are the days of plain tile in the kitchen. Nowadays, homeowners are choosing bright backsplash to decorate their home. But with different materials and colors to choose from, how do you know which design to choose? Here are three main points to take note of:

The focal points
The more you know about focal points, the easier it will be to decide on a backsplash. The two primary spots the eye gets drawn to the most in your kitchen are the space above the range and above the sink. Choose a design that compliments these kitchen appliances best.

Design mixing
Don’t be afraid to play mix-match with your tile. In fact, sticking with a monochromatic look can actually take away from the investment you put into your backsplash. Experiment with complementary colors and play with patterns by composing the tiles vertically for a more contemporary look.

Materials
There are different backsplash materials, such as ceramic and porcelain. While they look similar, they hold one main difference: one is significantly stronger. Both are made from clay, but porcelain is more dense and durable, which means more resistance to moisture and cracks.

Once you’ve settled on a kitchen backsplash design, be sure to keep it clean. At Triple S, we can keep tile and grout looking new with professional cleaning and sealing! We use top notch cleaning solutions and machinery to deep clean and rinse away residue. To learn more about our 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

Recycling Old Cleaning Products

Going Green? Don't toss out your old household cleaners - recycle them instead!

Recycling might seem like a chore to most people, or a lifestyle. We see is as a way to proactively protect our beautiful environment. Chemical cleaners can be harsh, and just tossing them away much like we do with other objects, foods, and bottles can have harmful effects. If you’re ready to jump on the green bandwagon but are hesitant on how to begin, we’ve got a few tips for you:

Can I recycle plastic household cleaners?
First check the labels for any specific disposal instructions. Most times, it states very clear directions on what you can do and cannot do. Next, check with your recycling locator to see what type of plastic is accepted. Prior to recycling, empty the unused plastic bottle carefully and as instructed on the label.

Should I pour cleaner down the drain?
Most household cleaning products are designed to go down the drain, but every product is different. If there aren’t any labels, think about how you use your product - does it mix with water? Most liquid, gels, and powdered water-soluble products can be disposed of down the drain. As for solid products, such as soap scouring pads and towelettes - they can be placed in the trash.

Are there any household cleaner laws?
Some household cleaning materials are considered hazardous to the environment if disposed improperly, unless marked as a green product. But let’s face it - mistakes happen. And most of us have had that “uh-oh” moment where we accidentally dispose of the product wrongly. Best you can do is check the label of the product you own for proper disposal instructions and try to remember to recycle. You can even place your separate disposal bins in sight as a friendly reminder.

At Triple S, we’re more than just a full cleaning service for your upholstery, drapery, valances, and carpets. We are also dedicated to keeping our planet a safe and healthy place to live. That is why we use green cleaning methods that keep the environment feeling good and your furnishing looking 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