Margaret’s is a family-run company spanning seven decades, with the Horst family having owned and operated dry cleaning establishments for four generations. Since it is privately-owned and financially independent, the company takes a long-term vision and strategy to its brands, with an ethos of attention to detail in all aspects of its business.
As the nation’s first Five Star Certified Cleaner, our guiding principle is one of providing unparalleled quality dry cleaning with an uncompromising commitment to offering the highest standards of outstanding service, experience and value to each and every customer.
OUR MISSION – SINCE 1953
To be the nation’s most successful couture dry cleaner and to live up to our goals of providing true excellence through craftsmanship and Five Star Customer Service.
THE STORY OF MARGARET’S
Margaret Clutter founded Margaret’s Knit Blocking in 1953 with just a pair of pants and a sweater. It was three years after the passing of her husband, and her son’s plane had been shot down in the Korean war. Not knowing his condition, she wanted to be in a financial position to take care of him when he returned. Very quickly “Margaret’s” became known for fine pressing and knit blocking and was filled with some of the finest clothing in the city.
For the next 34 years, with her extensive skill at hand washing, stain removal, alterations, pressing, knit blocking and knit repair, her business earned the reputation for being the best in the prestigious La Jolla community.
In 1987, Margaret (at the age of 80) was approached to sell the business. Once she experienced the work attitude and technical ability of John and Barbara Horst, she decided her reputation for excellence and the craftsmanship, quality, traditions and values for which Margaret’s was synonymous would be in good hands.
John Horst, at the time he acquired ownership of Margaret’s in 1988, was a third generation dry cleaner with 34 years of experience, having owned his own 80-employee dry cleaning operation in Ohio.
THE HORST FAMILY
Within the first year of ownership, John’s brother, Carl, and his sister-in-law, Tina, moved to San Diego and came to work at Margaret’s (both had worked for John in Ohio). Tina has since retired, but Carl continued to operate the cleaning facilities at Margaret’s for many years.
In 1989, John and Barbara’s son, Chuck, came to work in the business. Chuck, a professor of astronomy at San Diego State University, now runs the day-today operations of the company as its President.
Continuing the tradition, John and Barbara’s second son, Scott, joined the team and now manages the Los Angeles and Orange County stores and markets, along with maintaining relationships with all the designer clothing stores that Margaret’s services. Shortly after that their daughter, Jan, joined the business and now manages both the bridal division and human resources for the company. Chuck’s wife, Robin, assists in the office and helps supply the couture seamstresses with the materials and supplies needed to enable them to perform their magic.
OUR VALUES
Our core values reflect what matters to us, both as a company and as the group of individuals who make up the Margaret’s family. Our values are the solid foundation and guiding principles of our company culture.
By consistently working hard to maintain our values, we endeavor to preserve what makes Margaret’s so special...a commitment to each other, to the customers we serve, and to the communities in which we work and live.
OUR GOALS
F EXCELLENCE through CRAFTSMANSHIP
F Continual DEVELOPMENT setting the state-of-theart standard in garment care
F Always deliver the BEST WORKMANSHIP possible
F ENHANCE our customer’s experience with their wardrobe investment
F HONOR our employees who deliver their BEST
F Provide a UNIQUE and UNMATCHED cleaning service to our community
F Frequent donations to CHARITABLE organizations
A LEGACY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP AND INNOVATION
For over seven decades, Margaret’s Cleaners has set the gold standard in couture cleaning and garment care. As Southern California’s premier family-owned establishment, our commitment to excellence spans three generations. Our family of eight is actively involved in every aspect of our operations .
The Margaret’s Difference
What distinguishes Margaret’s is our unwavering dedication to old-world craftsmanship combined with cutting-edge innovation. Our artisans, trained through decades of experience, treat each garment with meticulous care, employing hand-pressing techniques that preserve the integrity and beauty of even the most delicate pieces.
Our commitment to quality manifests in every detail:
F Pure cleaning solutions are maintained through continuous distillation and monitoring
F Expert hand-finishing by skilled artisans for every garment
F Rigorous multi-point inspection process
F Proprietary technology and systems that define industry standards
Innovation Leaders
Margaret’s pioneering spirit has revolutionized the couture cleaning industry. We were the first in the nation to offer fullservice cleaning and repair of luxury handbags, and our innovative packaging solutions—including breathable sweater bags and custom-designed tie boxes—have become industry standards. Our CleanByMail® service reaches clients nationwide, while over 300 designer boutiques and fine department stores trust us as their preferred service provider.
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A LEGACY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
AND INNOVATION (continued)
Industry Recognition
Our dedication to excellence has earned consistent recognition:
F CINET Global Professional Textile Care Best Practices Awards Program, Country Winner, 2024
F Accessories Council Design Excellence Award in Sustainability 2024
F Wedding Wire “Couples Choice Awards” & The Knot “Best of Weddings” 2018 through 2024
F Award of Excellence, Dry Cleaning & Laundry Institute, 2007 & 2008
F Best of La Jolla — La Jolla Village News Reader’s Poll, since 2006
F Best of La Jolla — La Jolla Light Reader’s Poll, since 2003
F Best Medium-Sized Family-Owned Business, 2006 Presented by San Diego Business Journal & University of San Diego
F Five Star Certified Couture Cleaner — Awarded by Leading Cleaners International, 2005
F Consumer Business Review — Best Dry Cleaner, 2004
F Most Influential Dry Cleaner — Methods for Management, 2003
F Selected Founding Member — Leading Cleaners International, 2003
F Best Dry Cleaner — San Diego Magazine, 2002
F Best of San Diego — Best Of, 2002
Sustainable Growth Through Excellence
Unlike traditional dry cleaners, Margaret’s success stems from our reputation rather than promotional marketing. Despite economic downturns, our steady growth testifies to our unwavering quality standards. We’ve spent 65 years perfecting our craft, developing proprietary techniques, and expanding our expertise to become North America’s most comprehensive cleaning services provider.
Modern Innovation, Timeless Quality
Our state-of-the-art facility, patent-pending software, and proprietary processes represent the perfect marriage of innovation and tradition. Every service, from gown inspection to leather refinishing, reflects our commitment to excellence. With the broadest service network in Southern California, Margaret’s continues to set new standards for the industry while maintaining the personal touch that has defined us for three generations.
SPECIALTY CLEANING SERVICES
F Fine Leather and Suede Garments
F Handbags
F Shoes
F Bridal Gown and Accessory Cleaning and Museum Quality Gown Preservation
