When Should I Clean? In the past, we would have said that every house is different based on lifestyle and usage. That was before we learned what we know now - and only dealt with the appearance of the carpet. Information provided by EPA studies, coupled with our own experiences, has taught us much about the role clean carpet plays in maintaining a healthy home. We recommend cleaning carpet at least once a year. The EPA recommends cleaning your carpet every six months if you have small children and pets, as they spend a great deal of time on the carpet.