I'm Serage Fikak, Founder of Crystal Clean Carpet & Tiles
Nineteen years in carpet and floor cleaning, and one family experience that changed how I run this business.
Where I Started
I started this business in 2007, focused almost entirely on commercial work, schools, colleges and motels across Melbourne. It was straightforward, high-volume commercial cleaning, the kind of work that teaches you to be fast, consistent and thorough, because a school corridor or a motel room doesn't leave much room for a job half done.
That commercial grounding still shapes how I run things today, technicians trained to a consistent standard, equipment built for a genuine deep clean rather than a quick surface pass, and a habit of properly assessing a job before I start rather than guessing.
The Moment That Changed Everything
In 2009, my second child was born with severe eczema. If you've dealt with a baby's eczema, you know how much it changes daily life, what fabric touches their skin, what products go near them, what surfaces they're crawling and playing on for hours every day.
Carpet was one of the biggest ones for me. Babies and toddlers spend enormous amounts of time on the floor, and whatever's embedded in that carpet, dust, allergens, residue from harsh cleaning chemicals, ends up against their skin and in the air they're breathing so close to the ground.
That experience changed the direction of my business almost entirely. What had been a commercial cleaning operation became a residential-focused business built around reducing the allergens and irritants young children are exposed to at home. It's the direct reason I still use biodegradable, non-toxic solutions across every service I offer, not as a marketing angle, but because it mattered for my own child, and I know it matters for every family I work with since.
Building the Standard, Not Just the Business
Getting the products right was only part of it for me. I went on to complete Certificate III in Asset Maintenance (Carpet Cleaning), code PRM30604, through Jena Dyco International in 2012, covering advanced stain removal, upholstery and fabric cleaning, hard floor care, carpet cleaning, and health and safety.
That standard now extends to my whole team, not just me. Six technicians, all trained the same way, all using the same biodegradable, non-toxic products, all working off the same process for each service, not left to their own judgement on what "clean" should mean.
Why This Still Matters to Me Today
Nineteen years on, my business has grown well beyond that first commercial focus, carpet, rugs, upholstery, tile, hard floors, water damage restoration and more, across homes and businesses throughout Melbourne. But the reasoning behind the products I use on every single job still traces back to 2009, to my own family's experience, not a decision made in a boardroom.
It's part of why I carry $20,000,000 in public liability insurance through Allianz, and why my business was recognised with the Word of Mouth Service Award every year from 2014 to 2018, real trust I built with real families, one job at a time.
Beyond Just Me
I don’t run every job myself anymore, my business is now supported by a small, trained team I trust completely. Learn more about my company and my team on our About Us page.
See the Standard for Yourself
The same approach that started with my own family’s experience in 2009 is what I apply to every job today. Explore my full range of services, or read what my customers have said about working with me.
- Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still work on jobs personally?
Yes, I’m still an active technician in my business, alongside my trained team of six, not just running things from an office.
What qualification do you hold?
Certificate III in Asset Maintenance (Carpet Cleaning), code PRM30604, through Jena Dyco International, which I completed in 2012.
Why do you use biodegradable, non-toxic products specifically?
It goes back to 2009, when my second child was born with severe eczema. That experience shaped my lasting focus on products that are genuinely safe for babies, young children and anyone with sensitive skin or allergies.
How long have you been in this industry?
Since 2007, when I started with commercial carpet cleaning before shifting toward residential services in 2009.
Work With Me and My Team
Ready to experience the same standard of care I’ve built my business around since 2007? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.