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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Home Made Fire Starters......


Every year, I make my own fire starters. I use all recycled items and turn them into something I use almost everyday. I start with shredded paper. I use the paper I get from the fax I receive from my work at home job each morning.


I ball the shredded paper up and place it into cardboard egg cartons and then top each section with old dryer lint.



I melt the old wax I save from my tart burner all year long.




I pour the melted wax on top of the filled egg cartons.




I let them sit to cool and harden.....




.....then I break them up and store them in this basket.





I use one each day to help me start the fire in the fireplace.



They are made from 100% recycled material and FREE! Now that works for me!
I am also talking about it here.....The Lazy Organizer

24 comments:

Carey said...

Now, THAT is brilliant. I don't have a fireplace, but if I did I would absolutely use that idea. If I did have a fireplace, I would absolutely be USING it right now! I'm in Florida, but it is COLD (for me) this morning!

Susie said...

Wax huh? Doesn't that make a mess?

Frugal Finds said...

No mess at all. I cover a cookie sheet with foil and put everything on that. Any wax left on the foil after everything is cool, gets tossed back in the melting pan for next time. My only waste is on piece of foil and I toss that in my recycle can.

They are not the prettiest things but they sure do work!! And... they are free!!

earthlingorgeous said...

Wow! What an awesome idea! We don't have a fireplace either but if ever I move somewhere cold hahaha I will definitely try that one out!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip. I am on a challenge to NOT turn my heater on for as long as possible. :D Fireplace will be used frequently.

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

How cool and free, too! I sure wish I had a fireplace. Maybe one day....

heidi said...

Holy cats yer a handy one to have around, aren't ya?! I'm just nowhere NEAR that creative. Yay you!

The Proverbs Wife said...

Boy is that a great idea. I have been trying to encourage hubby to use homemade kindling, but he said that certain items will smell up the house when burned.

Does your method leave a scorched or burnt smell?

BTW, thanks for stopping in and sharing my pain regarding my blanket that I must fold each day.

Heidi Boos said...

Wow! Now THAT'S impressive! Oh how I love a good fire. I grew up with an older style stove in our home and I miss that in the winters.

Frugal Finds said...

The melted tarts actually add a great smell to the starting fire. No scorched smell here. I just love the smell of a good fire!!

krisijo said...

What a great idea!

Kris said...

AWESOME!


I've been wondering how to make stuff for our fires myself. Thanks!

HDMac said...

What an excellent idea....!! And you must still get some scent too! You make me wish I still had a wood stove... I miss that so much!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I love bumping into people that like being resourceful like me to save a few bucks. My family thinks I'm a little weird but love saving the money!! :) I love your blog!!

Niki Jolene said...

That has got to be the craziest thing I have ever seen! I never would have thought of that!

I am impressed by your creative frugality.

:)

~michelle pendergrass said...

Oh girlie!!! Thank you!!

I made my own last year with pinecones, wicks, and wax. This looks easier!

Controlling My Chaos said...

Now that is a fantastic idea. I'm impressed.

Carla said...

Thank you for the easy how too!

Anonymous said...

We use to make those for girl scouts.

Grammy said...

Very good Ideal.

Kathleen W. said...

That's a great idea! I wish I had a fireplace...

I like the idea of the tart candles, since it probably makes the fire smell nice.

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

This is a very cool post! We have THREE wood-burning stoves in our home in use currently and we would do well to make our own firestarters like you have. Thank you for the inspiration! Hope to see you again next week!

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

Building our fire place and I could so see this a benefit to using also.

Tara said...

I'm speechless! (and that says a lot)...wow. wow. wow. What an awesome idea...you're brilliant! :O)

 
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