Sanitary Cleaners

Doing laundry has been a household chore since the dawn of civilization.


Sanitary Cleaners has focused on making the process easier for 135 years.

Maurice Hart and a partner first started a laundry business in Freeport in 1887, In 1895, it became Hart’s Sanitary Laundry. This family business offered many services including horse-drawn delivery. The business moved to its present location at 130 East Exchange Street in 1927. 

The Kirchberg family bought the corporation from Mr. Hart in 1948. They added a coin-operated laundry in the building of the former Hank Donahue’s Hudson auto dealership. The business remained in the family until 1992. 

Tom and Joanne Lammers, relocating from the Quad Cities, bought the cleaners and laundry. Tom, a second generation professional dry cleaner ran the business through the years. Tom was active in both the national and state dry cleaning associations and continued to consult with Sanitary Cleaners after retiring, assisting with leather and suede work. 

Our staff takes great pride in their work and will treat your clothing and belongings with the greatest care. We use state-of-the-art equipment allowing us to produce quality results that our customers have come to expect and appreciate.

For fast, dependable garment cleaning services when you need it, stop in to one of our 15 locations and let the laundry professionals of Sanitary Cleaners make your life a little easier.