Turn the dial or choose a square from the wall to read a short family laundry story.
FROM THE SHELTON FAMILY ARCHIVE
A family trade, carried forward.
White Star Laundry Begins
In Oklahoma, Grandpa and Grandma Shelton joined Gertie, Elma, Mary, John Shelton, Sr., Mason Shelton, and others to open White Star Laundry. What began as a shared family undertaking established a trade in cleaning, finishing, dependable service, and customer care that the Shelton family would carry forward for four generations.
Unit Laundry Takes Root in Tucson
By the 1930s, Unit Laundry had become the family’s next major chapter in Tucson. The building and route vehicles reflect a growing operation, while the daily work remained grounded in careful processing, reliable pickup and return, and goods finished for immediate use.
The Family Reaches San Diego
Unit Cleaners marked the family’s first presence in San Diego. The family built the facility and completed the equipment installation and operational setup themselves, bringing generations of practical knowledge into a new market.
State Street Operations Grow
The State Street assembly area shows the organization required to return finished garments accurately and efficiently. As the operation grew, new generations carried the trade forward while adapting to changing equipment, greater volume, and rising customer expectations.
Imperial Cleaners Opens
Imperial Cleaners opened in Long Beach as the family’s network continued to grow across Southern California. By this point, the Shelton name had become increasingly established in professional dry cleaning through neighborhood locations built around dependable care, convenience, and service.
Modern Plant Operations
The Sterling Cleaners facility illustrates the infrastructure behind a modern cleaning plant. Reliable equipment, heat, pressure, maintenance, and disciplined workflows supported the visible service customers experienced and the quality delivered with every completed order.
Shelton Cleaners Opens
Shelton Cleaners opened in San Diego as the retail home for the family’s next chapter. The operation connected decades of cleaning experience with modern garment care, responsive customer service, and the trust developed through direct relationships with the community.
Wholesale Department Launches
Shelton expanded into wholesale service to support commercial partners with greater volume and more specialized needs. This new department brought the family’s experience in cleaning and finishing into programs designed around dependable production, clear communication, and consistent service.
Shelton Linen & Uniform Services
Shelton Linen & Uniform Services carries four generations of family experience into a dedicated commercial operation. The company combines modern equipment, organized route service, practical innovation, and attentive customer support to serve businesses throughout the San Diego region.
A family trade, carried forward.
01White Star Laundry Beginsaddremove
White Star Laundry Begins
In Oklahoma, Grandpa and Grandma Shelton joined Gertie, Elma, Mary, John Shelton, Sr., Mason Shelton, and others to open White Star Laundry. What began as a shared family undertaking established a trade in cleaning, finishing, dependable service, and customer care that the Shelton family would carry forward for four generations.
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02Unit Laundry Takes Root in Tucsonaddremove
Unit Laundry Takes Root in Tucson
By the 1930s, Unit Laundry had become the family’s next major chapter in Tucson. The building and route vehicles reflect a growing operation, while the daily work remained grounded in careful processing, reliable pickup and return, and goods finished for immediate use.
diamond
03The Family Reaches San Diegoaddremove
The Family Reaches San Diego
Unit Cleaners marked the family’s first presence in San Diego. The family built the facility and completed the equipment installation and operational setup themselves, bringing generations of practical knowledge into a new market.
diamond
04State Street Operations Growaddremove
State Street Operations Grow
The State Street assembly area shows the organization required to return finished garments accurately and efficiently. As the operation grew, new generations carried the trade forward while adapting to changing equipment, greater volume, and rising customer expectations.
diamond
05Imperial Cleaners Opensaddremove
Imperial Cleaners Opens
Imperial Cleaners opened in Long Beach as the family’s network continued to grow across Southern California. By this point, the Shelton name had become increasingly established in professional dry cleaning through neighborhood locations built around dependable care, convenience, and service.
diamond
06Modern Plant Operationsaddremove
Modern Plant Operations
The Sterling Cleaners facility illustrates the infrastructure behind a modern cleaning plant. Reliable equipment, heat, pressure, maintenance, and disciplined workflows supported the visible service customers experienced and the quality delivered with every completed order.
diamond
07Shelton Cleaners Opensaddremove
Shelton Cleaners Opens
Shelton Cleaners opened in San Diego as the retail home for the family’s next chapter. The operation connected decades of cleaning experience with modern garment care, responsive customer service, and the trust developed through direct relationships with the community.
diamond
08Wholesale Department Launchesaddremove
Wholesale Department Launches
Shelton expanded into wholesale service to support commercial partners with greater volume and more specialized needs. This new department brought the family’s experience in cleaning and finishing into programs designed around dependable production, clear communication, and consistent service.
diamond
09Shelton Linen & Uniform Servicesaddremove
Shelton Linen & Uniform Services
Shelton Linen & Uniform Services carries four generations of family experience into a dedicated commercial operation. The company combines modern equipment, organized route service, practical innovation, and attentive customer support to serve businesses throughout the San Diego region.
diamond
Looking for Shelton Cleaners?
Our retail dry cleaning operation lives over at Shelton Cleaners, where the family’s San Diego storefront story continues.