Cotton-Ball Fire Starters

• Make cotton-ball fire starters. Work petroleum jelly into cotton balls by kneading with your fingers. The cotton balls need to be fully saturated to work effectively. Place the saturated cotton balls in snack-sized zip bags or other waterproof containers.
  
  To start a fire, place the cotton ball under kindling. Although matches can be used to light them, a stick or wand lighter can be used for safety.
  
  

Recycled-Lint Fire Starters

• Make fire starters out of recycled dryer lint. Roll the lint into golf-ball-sized balls. Then place the lint balls into the compartments of an empty egg carton.
  
  Place old candles in the top of a double boiler. Fill the bottom saucepan with water according to the cookware manufacturer's instructions. Place the double boiler over low to medium heat, watching the wax carefully so that it melts slowly. Use caution to avoid drips and burns.
  
  Spoon the melted wax over each lint ball, covering the top completely. Once the wax-topped balls are completely cooled, place them in zippered snack bags or store them in a waterproof container.
  
  

Recycled-Box Fire Starters

• Make recycled-box fire starters. Cut wax-covered boxes and cartons into 1-by-3-inch strips. Place in zip bags or in another waterproof container. Put wax strips in a radiating circle under the campfire; four to five wax strips will work for the average campfire ring.
  
  

Using Fire Starters

• Check each batch of fire starters to be sure that they work before packing them for a trip or hike.