About us

A red clothes hanger with a curved hook on a plain background.

Our History

Serving Geneva Since 1953

What began as a simple business opportunity soon became a family tradition spanning four generations.

In 1959, Herb and Corinne Menke opened a dry cleaner in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Herb originally worked in real estate and purchased a corner property after recognizing its business potential. While on vacation shortly afterward, Herb and Corinne toured a one-hour Martinizing franchise and saw an opportunity in the dry-cleaning industry. Inspired by the concept, they opened their doors the day after Thanksgiving in 1959.

The business quickly became a family tradition. All three of their children grew up learning the industry and eventually pursued careers in garment care and dry cleaning. In 1961, the family expanded into Geneva, Illinois, purchasing an established cleaners that had already been serving the community since 1953. Two years later, ownership of the Geneva location transitioned to Herb and Corinne’s daughter, Louanne, and her husband, Don Severson.

Don and Lou operated the business from a small storefront until an unexpected opportunity arose in 1968. The bank across the street had outgrown its building and encouraged the young business owners to purchase the property. Though the move felt ambitious at the time, they took the leap and relocated into the building the company still occupies today.

A brick corner building with large windows sits at an intersection, with parked and moving cars nearby under a partly cloudy sky.

A woman uses an iron at a dry cleaning facility, with clothing hanging on racks and garment presses in the background.

Three people stand at a dry cleaning counter with racks of clothes in plastic behind them, and signs advertising pillow cleaning and wedding gown preservation are visible above the counter.

Four industrial washing machines are running in a laundry facility, with two large yellow laundry carts positioned in front of them.

A Tradition That Continues Today

Over the decades, the business continued to grow, expanding into neighboring buildings and continually reinvesting in the company, its customers, and the community.

In 1994, ownership passed to Don and Louanne’s sons, continuing the family’s third generation of leadership. Today, their son, Eric Severson and his wife Kristen continue operating the Geneva location while embracing modern advancements in garment care, including upgraded technology and expanded customer convenience.

In 2026, the fourth generation of the family officially began learning the business, continuing a tradition of craftsmanship, knowledge, and customer care that has been passed down for more than 65 years.

A Legacy Built Over Generations

From a single storefront in 1953 to four generations of family craftsmanship

1953

Geneva Cleaners first opens its doors on State Street.

1959

Herb and Corinne Menke open the family's fist dry cleaner in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

1961

The Menke Family expands into Geneva, Purchasing the established cleaners.

1963

Don and Louanne Severson take ownership of the Geneva location.

1968

The business relocates into its current Geneva building - the former bank across the street.

1994

Third-generation ownership begins under Don and Louanne's sons.

2017

Modern conveyor technology installed to improve efficiency and garment care.

2025

24/7 customer convenience services introduced for modern lifestyles.

2026

The fourth generation of the family officially begins learing the business.

Our Team

The heart of our company has always been the people behind the work.

Many of our team members have been with us for decades, bringing generations of hands-on experience, craftsmanship, and care to every garment we handle. Some have spent 30, 40, and even 50 years working alongside one another and serving our community.

Over the years, our workplace has become more than just a business, it has become a second family. We support one another, look out for each other, and take pride in the work we do together every day.

What makes our team special is not just experience, it’s genuine care. From everyday garments to wedding gown preservation and specialty fabrics, we treat every piece with the same attention and respect we would give our own.

A group of eleven employees pose together in front of a dry cleaning business counter, with red and blue uniforms and a drop-off kiosk visible in the background.

More Than Just a Cleaning Service

What Makes Our Services Different

We know you have choices. That's why we focus on what truly sets us apart, not vague claims, but real results our customers can feel.

We clean everything on site in our historic downtown building. No outsourcing. No mystery.

We're an award-winning cleaner, named in multiple Kane County Chronicle Readers' Choice awards.

We use environmentally safe cleaning products and high-efficiency equipment that cuts waste.

We're one location, fully staffed, giving you personal, consistent care every time.

We provide a 24/7 drop-off and pickup kiosk for effortless, tech-powered convenience.

We've served the Chicagoland area for decades, earning long-term trust, not just visits

Closely Connected to the Communities Around Us

While our storefront is rooted in historic Geneva, our clients come to us from all over the Great Chicago Land area. Thanks to our convenient 24/7 kiosk, professionals and busy families commuting through St. Charles, Elgin, Wheaton, Batavia, Naperville, and Elburn use Geneva Cleaners as their go-to hub for premium fabric care. We aren't just a local cleaner; we are a regional tradition built on convenience and unparalleled quality.

Our Promise to You!

We believe professional garment care should feel like working with a trusted expert. Just as you rely on a doctor or hairstylist for professional guidance, our customers rely on us to help protect and extend the life of their clothing and textiles.

That means doing more than simply cleaning garments. We carefully inspect each item, help identify signs of wear, point out manufacturing concerns, detect fabric damage, and guide customers toward the best care for their garments.

We believe in staying one step ahead so our customers can feel confident their clothing is always in experienced hands. Most importantly, we promise to treat every garment with the same care and attention we would give our own.

Street view of a brick building with large windows and red trim, housing a business called Geneva Cleaners; sidewalk, street, and other shops are visible under a partly cloudy sky.

Where to find us

130 W State St Geneva, Illinois 60134, USA

(630) 232-7490

Get Started

Straight From Our Customers

What Our Customers Share

Services We Offer

Trusted Care for Your Clothing, Linens, and Home Fabrics

Dry Cleaning

Dress Shirts

Wedding Dress Cleaning & Preservation

Household Items

Leather and Suede Care

Experience the Service the Chicago Land Area Has Trusted for Decades

Join the thousands of residents across Geneva, St. Charles, Elgin, Wheaton, Batavia, Naperville, and Elburn who have trusted us to care for their most important garments and household items for generations.

(630) 232-7490