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Need to light a campfire in your backyard or trying to get the fire roaring in the fireplace? Instead of wrestling with your lighter and newspaper, make these handy fire starters that can be used at home or on the road.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Find Supplies

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  1. Make sure they are still in decent condition and are not torn or haven’t been damaged in any way and make sure it is extremely dry for maximum flammability. If it is damaged you can use some superglue since it is a flammable material (the fire may smell different).
  2. Whenever you clean out the lint trap, keep a small bucket or container near the dryer. Instead of tossing into the garbage, throw the lint into your container and keep in a safe, dry spot for future use.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Make Fire Starters

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  1. Size up the empty roll/tube you plan to use. Obviously the larger the roll, the more lint you will need. You want to stuff enough lint into the roll to fill it, but not overstuff it.
  2. Stand the roll on its end and push lint downward until it touches the other surface. Add more lint until fire starter is completely full.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Use Fire Starters

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  1. Whether you are creating an outdoor bonfire or something cozy in the fireplace, make sure you have ample wood and matches/lighter for the job. To make sure that your fire has a larger chance of actually working you will need to make a pyramid shape with the wood.
  2. That way the fire can move evenly throughout the log/wood area.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you use cotton instead of lint?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, provided that you don't pack it too tightly and only if it is true cotton - not a synthetic blend as some cotton balls can be.
  • Question
    Can I use paper wrapped in a cylinder?
    Jemsd3164
    Jemsd3164
    Community Answer
    Yes, if the paper is shredded or balled up to allow for air circulation, which allows the paper to burn completely.
  • Question
    Can you use stuffing from a pillow instead of lint?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. Generally, this is not a good idea. Pillow stuffing is commonly made of polyester, which is not suitable for this purpose. The stuffing may also have been treated with a flame retardant.
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Tips from our Readers

  • Try wrapping the lint loosely with wax paper before putting it in the toilet paper roll.
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About This Article

Ky Furneaux
Reviewed by:
Survival and Outdoors Expert
This article was reviewed by Ky Furneaux. Ky Furneaux is a survival expert, outdoor guide, and professional stuntwoman based in Australia. She’s been featured in over 100 films and TV productions, and has hosted, produced, and participated in some of the most extreme TV survival shows including MTV’s Made and Discovery’s Naked and Afraid. She has authored 5 survival books, including "The Superwoman’s Survival Guide" and "Survive: The All-In-One Guide to Staying Alive in Extreme Conditions", with the goal of sharing her knowledge of survival techniques with others. As an accomplished stuntwoman, she won a Taurus Award in 2012 for Best Female Stunt Performer and has doubled stars like Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Alexander, and Sharon Stone. This article has been viewed 155,314 times.
155 votes - 92%
Co-authors: 16
Updated: October 8, 2020
Views: 155,314
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 155,314 times.

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