Forty years, one pair of hands.
Stephen Hillenbrand started Lint Extractors in 1986 and has stayed deliberately small ever since — because that is the only way he can still be the one doing the work.
Steve, with the rods and brush that do the work.
“I stayed small over the years because it allows me to work directly with my customers.”
In 1986 a neighbor had a fire in their dryer. Steve started Lint Extractors the same year, and has spent every year since on the few feet of duct that caused it.
It is a family business — owned by Susie and Steve Hillenbrand — built on honesty, integrity and personalized service. Steve does every job himself, so you know exactly who is coming to your home — and who to call next time.
After forty years, the relationships matter as much as the work: “I’ve been doing this so long my customers are like family — I treat every customer like a family member.”
Steve was born and raised in Petaluma, and has lived and worked in Sonoma, Marin and the East Bay all his life. His customers include local homeowners, businesses and appliance repair professionals.
The name the cardiologists of dryer ducts has a personal history. Steve worked as a cardiology tech in an operating room in the eighties — the inspiration for the line you see on his equipment today.
“My mission is to be honest, care for my customers, and do the best job to be done.”
He didn’t just clean the ducts. He invented the brush.
“I also invented and sold the Lint Extractor brush on QVC™ for several years!”
That is where the company name comes from. He still makes the brush — $20, and he’ll show you how to use it when he’s out at your place. The brush page has the story.
Forty years leaves a paper trail.
Steve kept everything — the first truck, the first business card, and Polaroids of the worst ducts he ever opened.
Local recognition. Lasting values.
Steve’s latest honor is Petaluma’s Gold Ribbon Award for honesty and kindness.
Gold Ribbon Award — Petaluma
Recognizing the values at the heart of Steve’s work.
Blue Star Award — Petaluma
Blue Star Best Dryer Duct Company of the Bay Area
Blue Ribbon Next Door Award
Invented and sold the Lint Extractor brush on QVC
The four things he will not compromise on.
He answers the phone
Steve picks up when he can — and when he’s mid-job under someone’s dryer, every call gets returned within 24 hours. The person who answers is the person who does the work.
A one-hour window
You get a one-hour arrival window. If Steve is running more than 15 minutes behind, he calls to let you know.
No subcontractors, ever
“I never subcontract to other people or entities.” The person who quotes the job is the person who shows up and does it.
A flat fee, up front
Duct cleaning is charged as a flat fee — you know the number before the work starts, and it doesn’t move once he’s under the machine.
Born and raised here — and still working the same hills.
Steve was born and raised in Petaluma, and has lived and worked in Sonoma, Marin and the East Bay all his life — so he knows the housing stock: which decades ran duct where, and which runs are going to be the awkward ones.
- Petaluma
- Sonoma County
- Marin County
- The East Bay
Residential and commercial. If you’re not sure whether you’re in range, call and ask — it’s a quick answer.
