DIY Fire Starters

It’s that time of year again—campfire season! Whether you’re loading up the car for a weekend getaway or just stepping out into your backyard to tidy up the fire pit, it’s time to get those sparks flying.If you want those sparks to turn into a roaring flame, you’ll need to make some fire starters. With just a few common supplies you probably already have at home, these DIY starters are nearly free and work just as well as anything you’d buy at the store.

What You’ll Need

Paper egg carton
Dryer lint (or sawdust if you have it)
Paraffin or wax (beeswax works great if you have some left over from a previous project)
Twine (optional, for decoration)

Steps to Make Your Fire Starters

Gather Dryer Lint: Collect enough lint from a couple of laundry loads. It doesn’t take much!
Prepare the Egg Carton: Cut the top off your paper egg carton to create individual compartments.
Melt the Wax: Use a double boiler to melt your paraffin or wax. This is also a perfect way to recycle old candles or leftover wax from votives.
Stuff the Compartments: While the wax is melting, fill each compartment of the egg carton with dryer lint, pressing down firmly to pack it in.
Protect Your Surface: Place your egg carton on wax paper or newspaper to catch any wax that might leak through.
Pour the Wax: Once the wax is melted, carefully pour it into each compartment of the egg carton, making sure to cover all the lint evenly.
Let It Cool: Allow the wax to harden completely before moving on.
Cut Apart the Compartments: Once cooled, cut the carton into individual cups.
Secure with Twine: Fold the corners of each cup over and tie them with twine if you like. This not only looks nice but helps keep everything together.

How to Use Your Fire Starters

To use your fire starters, simply light the twine or any unwaxed area of the carton. The dryer lint ignites quickly, while the wax helps prolong the burn time. Each starter will burn for about 15-20 minutes—plenty of time to get your firewood going!These fire starters are perfect for campfires all season long. You can even package them with s’mores supplies for a fantastic summer gift for friends or family!