About Us     

H₂Only Cleaners is owned by Triangle residents Karen and Bill Tomko.  Karen was born in the old Rex Hospital (now the Employment Security Commission) at Wade Ave and St. Mary's St. in Raleigh.  Bill (an air force brat) was born at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, TX and has lived in North Carolina since 1977 and in the Triangle since 1983. 

Karen's prior profession was in Corporate HR.  She served in several capacities and eventually entered into private consulting.  She later re-entered Corporate America as HR Director for a telecom company in RTP.  After the "right sizing" of the telecom sector, Karen enjoyed a sabbatical that included gardening and travel.  It was during this time period the idea of opening a wet cleaning facility began to come forth.

Bill's company, Tomko Services, a laboratory instrument service company, has been operating in the Triangle since 1990.  Tomko Services represents 22 manufacturers of equipment from several countries and covers 4 states.  Among these companies is Miele Appliances, a German Company, with its US headquarters in Princeton, NJ.  Their association began in 1991 and has grown considerably.  Tomko Services initially began servicing their laboratory glassware washer line and later took on the responsibilities of the Professional Wet Cleaning line as well.  Shortly after this time Karen knew that her company would be moving their operations out of the Triangle and the synergy began....
 

Curious about this new wet cleaning process, they went to Miele's Princeton US Headquarters to learn more.  They first learned about the regular drycleaning process and why there are efforts on many fronts to move beyond the old method.  Health and environmental concerns have pressured governments around the world to begin a phase out of perchloroethylene and the US and NC are no exception.  They further learned why "dry clean only" garments did not tolerate water and how science has now solved those problems through a marriage of chemistry and equipment technologies.  Excited by the prospect of being on the cutting edge, they went to work.  They were trained at 2 100% wet cleaning facilities near Toronto, ON to learn the nuts and bolts of this new process and brought their knowledge home to the Triangle.  The result is H₂Only Cleaners.

To really appreciate the differences between ordinary dry cleaning and their H₂Only Cleaners wet cleaning operation they encourage you to "try" to visit the cleaning/production area of your current dry cleaners.  Usually dry cleaners will not permit customers in this area "because of insurance regulations", but there will almost always be a back door wide open, so sneak a peak inside.   Then come to H₂Only Cleaners Morrisville Facility for a plant tour.  The differences will amaze you!  Current H₂Only customers have not been shy about expressing their delight and readily suggest new locations or marketing ideas. 

Karen and Bill also enjoy cooking, snow skiing, traveling, and meeting new customers!  They divide their time among all of the locations, So you're likely to meet either or both!