Maintaining your dryer regularly helps extend its life and saves you money on power bills. After each cycle, empty the lint filter. A clogged filter/screen will increase drying time, raise power expenditures, and pose a fire risk. Clean the lint trap where the filter is kept. Unplug the dryer, remove the filter, and vacuum within the lint trap every few months to remove lint and debris build-up.  Clean the inside of your dryer once every month. This will eliminate residue from dryer sheets and fabric softener, which can clog air holes and leave stains on clothes. Once a year, clean the exhaust vent. This will also accumulate and may become clogged. This can lower your dryer's performance and perhaps result in a fire.