This is one of the worst things you can do to your vacuum cleaner – experts warn it will slash its lifespan by years and damage the motor

I know what you're thinking: my vacuum cleaner has a maximum fill line, right? As long as I'm avoiding filling it past that, surely I'm not overfilling it?

Well, that depends on the vacuum, and how much you want to take care of it. Even if you're not filling it past the max line, you can still cause potential damage by not regularly emptying your appliance.

I'm a home tech editor and have spent 200 hours testing the best vacuums, and even more writing about them. I've visited vacuum engineering labs and learned how to take apart and maintain all the different types. This is why you should avoid overfilling yours, and how to know if you are.

Why you should never overfill your vacuum cleaner

Bagless vacuums, like most of the best cordless sticks and upright vacuums that are common household staples, have a 'maximum fill' line that you shouldn't exceed.

'Once you go past the point it should be emptied, then it starts to clog up internally,' shares long-time vacuum repair pro, Jade Gillham from Avon Domestics. This is the case for any type of vacuum, not just those with more sensitive parts, like a cordless stick.

Not only can you create a blockage causing a loss of suction power, but dust and dirt can travel further into the vacuum and wear down parts that weren't designed to handle that level of dirt, like your vacuum HEPA filter.

You're also forcing the vacuum to work harder. The lack of airflow through the appliances can cause the motor to overheat, causing long-term damage and weaker performance.

And when you compare bagged vs bagless vacuums, the potential consequences are the same in bagged vacuums, but with the added risk of the bag possibly bursting. That's a messy and potentially dangerous event that is best left to the imagination.

When I was younger, and years before I became an expert in testing and reviewing vacuums, I would overfill mine way past the line to avoid emptying it for as long as possible.

Because of this, I've had my upright Dyson vacuum almost completely break. We spent time trying to figure out what the issue was before realizing that, because it was so full, dust had crammed into parts of the vacuum that it normally wouldn't have, causing a major blockage.

It required us to take it apart and use a blunt knife to clear the trapped dust. Luckily, this time the vacuum wasn't broken and we cleared the jam, but looking back, this probably wasn't the safest idea. Knowing what I know now, I'd use a drain snake or an air compressor to safely remove the blockage without damaging the vacuum.

How to avoid overfilling your vacuum cleaner

Jade from Avon Domestics advises emptying your vacuum more often than you might be used to. 'I recommend emptying the vacuum after each room of the house. It's just a case of emptying the dustbin as often as you can,' she advises.

For bagged vacuums, there's no use in emptying them before they're full. Take note of any warning lights that the bag is full, like in the best Miele vacuums. But if yours doesn't have one, you'll know when the bag's filling up once your suction starts to drop.

In the context of how full they get, think of your vacuums like your washer. A washer can still deliver a sufficient wash with your clothes filled to the max line, but it washes more thoroughly with more space in there.

The same goes for your vacuum's suction power. Keep your dustbin as empty as possible, and your vacuum will clean at its best, while also keeping it in good shape and not putting unnecessary stress on its components. This will prolong its lifespan.

If you find that your vacuum fills up a little too quickly, or you'd prefer not to empty it multiple times a cleaning session, maybe it's time for an upgrade to a vacuum with a bigger dustbin. Or, having a small, handheld vacuum nearby allows you to deal with the quick messes without having to bring out and empty your full-sized vacuum.

Next, learn about the common faults in Dyson vacuums and the common faults in Shark vacuums that you can avoid with simple maintenance steps.