Opportunity

Portland International Airport (PDX) has a unique history when it comes to carpets. Its geometric teal carpet with pops of purple and red gained a cult following over the years. Although the iconic flooring was replaced with a modernized design in 2015, the quality of care that goes into maintaining the carpet hasn’t changed. Since 1996, Relay Resources, a nonprofit that aims to cultivate meaningful work for people with disabilities or other barriers, has been managing carpet care at PDX.
“At Relay Resources, we are committed to making a difference for our customers, employees, and the community. We engage with willing and able workers who have faced barriers and provide training, employment, and housing to help them lead independent lives,” said Tony Diep, Supervisor of Relay Resources.
More than 19 million people flew into or out of PDX in 2019. Near-constant foot traffic and wheeled luggage and trolleys can take a toll on the carpet over time. Thus, Relay requires reliable carpet care equipment to perform daily maintenance and remove spills and spots.

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When the replacement for the teal carpet was installed in 2015, the carpet replacement manufacturer recommended the airport implement interim maintenance systems from Whittaker, a leader in low-moisture carpet care. Low-moisture encapsulation uses safe and effective chemistry to crystalize carpet soils without leaving any residue. The tiny particles are removed through vacuuming. Relay has relied on Whittaker’s solutions since the new carpet was installed.
Many Relay’s employees are hardworking and career-driven but face physical, mental, or developmental disabilities. This makes it essential to have easy-to-use and lightweight carpet cleaning equipment.
Relay uses five of Whittaker’s Smart Care® TRIO machines, available in various widths. Relay’s employees use the 20-inch version TRIO and several stain removal solutions from Whittaker’s CRYSTAL® Chemistry line to keep the carpet looking new.
“Customers frequently take photos of the carpet in the airport, so cleanliness is vital,” added Diep. “We follow carpet manufacturer recommendations and adhere to a strict schedule to address all carpeted areas throughout PDX.”

Results

Improved carpet appearance

Transitioning to an interim carpet maintenance program allows the carpet to remain consistently clean. The facilities have been able to tackle bodily fluid stains, food stains, and salt stains with ease, as well as odors. Additionally, encapsulation cleaning avoids wicking that can occur with hot water extraction. No longer do stains return after the carpet has dried.

Improved employee satisfaction

Employees feel that it’s much easier to use the Whittaker TRIO machines compared to the hot water extraction equipment, which is typically bulky and takes more time to use. The improved productivity allows employees to focus on other key tasks throughout the facilities.

Less disruptive cleaning

Previously, hot water extraction resulted in much water being used to clean the carpet. With near-constant foot traffic throughout the facility, it was challenging to keep residents and staff from walking on the carpet as it dried. This sometimes resulted in soil from their shoes transferring onto the freshly cleaned carpet. O’Neill attempted to switch to a nighttime floor cleaning routine but still encountered issues. Whittaker’s low-moisture method uses much less water and allows the carpet to be cleaned during the day and dry within 30 minutes.

Cost savings

By restoring the carpet to a stain-free appearance, the Whittaker machines and chemistry helped O’Neill avoid costly carpet replacement.

“Whittaker goes beyond simply selling machines and chemistry – their experts helped O’Neill revise its carpet maintenance program, highlighted which products to use for specific stains, and ensured we understood how to properly maintain the machines,” said Jacobs.