The big home maintenance items are pretty easy to remember. You know, you've got to clean your chimney before winter, you've got to check your insulation twice a year, etc. However, it's the small things that can really make a difference in the safety of your home.

One of the things you ABSOLUTELY have to check on is the lint filter in your dryer. If you let the lint build up, it becomes a huge fire hazard.

A clogged lint filter also decreases the efficiency of your dryer by up to 75%.

The best practice is to clean the dryer every time you use it. This guarantees that no lint builds up and causes issues. It's even a good idea to take the lint filter completely out of the dryer and wash it with soap and water. Tiny debris can get caught in the mesh and can be missed with just a casual glance. So take it out and scrub it!

This simple practice will save you time and money in the future, and takes hardly any time! In fact, go clean your lint filter right now!