University of California Riverside

Opportunity

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) sits on 1,900 acres with an average undergraduate enrollment of approximately 20,000 students. Campus and housing buildings see consistently high foot traffic year-round, and UCR's custodial team was responsible for keeping all carpeted areas clean and stain-free.

For years, UCR used bonnet cleaning machines for carpet maintenance. The results were inconsistent and the process was physically demanding for staff.

"Carpet bonnet machines are heavy and difficult for staff to control. Bonnet machines also require the carpet to be saturated with water and chemicals, which means the carpet remains wet for hours afterward," said Rey Varela, Custodial Supervisor.

Beyond the dry time problem, bonnet cleaning pushes soil deeper into the carpet during the cleaning pass and leaves behind detergent residue that attracts more soil, accelerating resoiling. Over time, the process can wear carpet down faster and damage already-stressed fibers.

Solution

When UCR hired a new Assistant Director of Custodial and Housekeeping Services, Aaron Uresti brought experience with encapsulation cleaning from another university and introduced the method to UCR's team.

In June 2018, UCR ordered six Smart Care® TRIO systems for interim maintenance across campus. The machines arrived complete with CRYSTAL DRY® EXTRA for routine maintenance, CRYSTAL® QUICK RESTORE for deeper cleaning, and CRYSTAL® Specialty Spotters for spot and stain removal.

"Using a Whittaker machine is as simple as vacuuming, and our staff appreciates that," said Varela. "The machines are well built and easy to maintain."

Results

Increased productivity

Carpets dry within 30 minutes of cleaning, allowing UCR staff to reset furniture and reopen common areas to students and staff the same day. The time saved on carpet care allows workers to move on to other essential tasks across the campus.

Improved carpet appearance

Interim maintenance keeps carpet looking its best year-round across university buildings that experience consistently high foot traffic throughout the academic year.

Peace of mind

The lightweight, user-friendly machines can be operated by staff of any age without the physical strain of heavier equipment. Faster dry times also eliminate the risk of slip-and-fall accidents from wet carpet in high-traffic areas.

Cost savings

Minimal training time required, higher staff productivity, and consistent carpet maintenance that reduces the frequency of expensive deep cleaning all contribute to a lower total cost of carpet care. Regular use of the system protects carpet investments and extends the time between replacement cycles.

"From its incredible customer service to its well-made machines, we've had a great experience with Whittaker and look forward to working with them more."

— Rey Varela, Custodial Supervisor, University of California, Riverside