Aspinwall has been without a dry cleaner for five years, but that’s about to end as Joe Ferrante and Sarah Thimons prepare to open Wash Laundry & Dry Cleaning on Nov. 1.

The O’Hara couple chose Aspinwall’s Brilliant Avenue business district for many reasons, touting the close-knit community, safety and because they’re raising their two children in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

With more than 20 years in the garment care industry, Ferrante hopes to be a familiar face to everyone in the Fox Chapel area.

“Our business model is picking up and dropping off laundry. Aspinwall is a walking town and it’s the epitome of where everybody wants to raise their kids,” Thimons said. “People want people they can trust, who know their first names and personalized customer service.”

The business has been rebranded after formerly operating as Duro Cleaners in Ross Township.

Currently, the business provides laundry and dry cleaning pickup and drop-off services to more than 450 customers.

The pickup and delivery areas include much of the North Hills, with a strong focus on the Fox Chapel area and neighboring communities, the northern part of Butler County and the Route 8 and 28 corridors.

Thimons plans to sell eco-friendly cleaning products and home goods in the store’s foyer.

Modern-day eco-friendly dry cleaning solvents get the job done, Thimons said.

“I think there’s a misconception that if a garment isn’t chemically cleaned, it won’t get cleaned, but there is a way to get things clean. We want the green-friendly aspect and it shouldn’t come at a high price tag. It should be the standard,” Thimons said. “We want your clothes to keep you healthy, while keeping our planet healthy.”

They use an environmentally friendly solvent from Germany called SolvonK4.

“It’s a corn-based solvent, and it’s the most eco-friendly dry cleaning solvent. Some customers ask about chemicals, but we’re known for being eco-friendly,” said Ferrante, who grew up in Oakmont.

A nearby dry cleaning business won’t be a competitor for the couple.

A few miles down the road from Aspinwall, Ferrante’s stepfather Joe Henderson and Stephanie Henderson own My Sparkle Cleaners along Freeport Road in O’Hara. All of their cleaning is done at a large production facility in Cheswick.

Renovations are underway and the finished look will feature a clean, modern vibe with black and gold colors.

Thimons said she was inspired to design the space from James Bond movies.

The busy couple work alongside five additional employees. Teamwork is their mantra.

“We both wear a lot of hats,” Thimons said.

Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE Wash Laundry & Dry Cleaning co-owners Joe Ferrante and Sarah Thimons are remodeling a former dentist’s office at 21 Brilliant Ave. in Aspinwall.  

Cleaning services include wedding dresses and dress preservation, bedding, drapery and outdoor furniture cushions.

“We recently cleaned more than 275 cushions from the Pittsburgh Field Club,” Thimons said.

Thimons graduated from Fox Chapel Area High School in 2003.

“My mom grew up in Aspinwall and I have ties here,” Thimons said. “We want to establish a face to the brand and we are hopeful that more customers will trust us with their delivery and pickup.”

Three vans handle pickup and delivery orders with a turnaround time of a week.

In-store service will be quicker, taking two to three business days.

Future plans include adding an alterations service in the rear of the building and a 24/7 locker drop-off and pickup service upfront for after-hours options when customers can’t visit during business hours.

Before Nov. 1, new customers can schedule a laundry pickup at pickupwashdeliver.com or by calling 412-364-3550.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---