Unless you’re a super obsessive cleaner, you probably vacuum and dust once a week, at most. But if you’re like most people, you probably only remember to do these painstakingly annoying tasks once a month or, dare we say, a few times a year.

But is this something you should really be that worried about? The answer depends on a few factors.

Carpets and rugs.

Because dirt isn’t always as visible on soft surfaces, it’s easy to forget about cleaning them. However, carpets and rugs also collect a lot more dirt and hair than hard surfaces like hardwood or laminate. If the carpet or rug is in a high traffic area, it’s best to vacuum at least twice a week, but aim for more, if possible.

Hardwood floors.

You can get away with vacuuming hard floors once a week, especially if you sweep more frequently. But areas that may collect more dirt—like the kitchen and bathrooms—should be vacuumed every few days.

Rooms you barely use.

If there’s a room in your house that you spend very little time in, there’s really no need to drive yourself crazy trying to keep every speck of dirt off the floors. Vacuum these areas every few weeks.

Do you have pets?

We love our pets, but let’s be honest, they make a mess—especially when it comes to leaving their fur every which way. Pet owners should vacuum every day (we know that sounds like a lot), but at least try for every other day, as pet dander can irritate allergies and accumulates quickly.