As you use your dryer, lint builds up in hard-to-reach areas. Not only can that buildup lower the efficiency of your dryer, it can also cause a house fire. A dryer with a partially blocked or fully clogged vent has to work harder to remove moisture from your clothes and create heat to dry them. That can cause the dryer to overheat. It can also increase your monthly energy bill. Approximately 2,900 fires originating from clothes dryers in residential structures are documented annually by U.S. fire departments, so this isn’t a threat to take lightly.