Cotton Ball Fire Starter (Everything You Need To Know)

man lighting vaseline soaked cotton ball with ferro rod

A cotton ball fire starter is a lightweight and reliable DIY fire starter made from everyday materials such as petroleum jelly and cotton balls that helps ignite fires with ease.

These fire starters burn for an impressive 6-7 minutes, and they’re also simple to make and easy to store.

Key Takeaways:

Cotton ball fire starters are DIY made from petroleum jelly and cotton balls that help ignite fires easily, making them ideal for camping or emergencies.
These homemade fire starters burn reliably even when wet and offer several advantages, including being lightweight, portable, easy to make, and effective at igniting flames.
To create cotton ball fire starters, you will need a few everyday items such as cotton balls, petroleum jelly (like Vaseline), a disposable surface to work on, like wax paper or newspaper, and a plastic baggie to store them in.
By making your own DIY cotton balls and storing them in a waterproof container like a ziplock bag or small container with a lid with your emergency kit or camping gear, you can start fires quickly whenever needed.

Table of Contents

How To Make Cotton Ball Fire Starters
- Step-by-step Instructions
Benefits Of Cotton Ball Fire Starters
How To Use A Cotton Ball Fire Starter
Tips For Using Cotton Ball Fire Starters
Final Thoughts
FAQs for Cotton Ball Fire Starters

How To Make Cotton Ball Fire Starters

Step-by-step Instructions

To make your cotton ball fire starters, follow this simple step-by-step guide:

Gather all the necessary materials: cotton balls, Vaseline (or other brands of petroleum jelly), a waterproof container or plastic bag, and a disposable surface like wax paper (plastic wrap or newspaper will also work).
Lay the wax paper on a flat surface to keep things clean and easily transfer the completed fire starters.
Scoop out a generous glob of Vaseline onto the wax paper.
Take a cotton ball and roll it in the Vaseline until it is thoroughly coated; make sure not to completely saturate the entire cotton ball, as you’ll need some dry fibers for igniting.
Gently fluff out any clumped fibers to help create more surface area for easier lighting.
Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each cotton ball until you have a good supply of fire starters.
Place the coated cotton balls into your waterproof container or Ziplock plastic bag for storage and transportation.
Seal the container or bag tightly to keep them dry and ready for use.

Remember, when using your DIY fire starters in damp conditions, be sure to prepare your fire pit with kindle, such as dried leaves or bark, to help ensure an intense flame even if the surroundings get wet.

Feel free to get creative with additional elements like egg cartons or toilet paper tubes for added burn time!

Benefits Of Cotton Ball Fire Starters

Easy To Make

One of the most appealing aspects of cotton ball fire starters is their simplicity in creation. With just a few everyday items such as cotton balls, petroleum jelly (like Vaseline), and a plastic bag, you can make your effective fire starter for camping or outdoor adventures.

This uncomplicated DIY project saves time and money compared to store-bought alternatives. It allows you to personalize your fire starters to suit your preferences.

For example, some campers prefer using baby oil instead of petroleum jelly for a less messy application. Others incorporate dryer lint or wax into the mix for added burn time or waterproofing capabilities.

Reliable And Effective

Cotton ball fire starters are highly reliable and effective for starting a fire in any situation. They work well, even when wet, making them an essential addition to any emergency kit or camping gear.

The key is to use high-quality materials and properly prepare the cotton balls before storing them.

Once prepped, these cotton ball fire starters can ignite quickly with just a few sparks from a fire-starting tool like the nanoSPARK and burn for approximately 9 minutes, giving you ample time to start your fire.

Whether you’re out camping or facing an emergency where quick access to heat is critical, these simple DIY fire starters will not disappoint.

Lightweight And Portable

One of the top benefits of cotton ball fire starters is their lightweight and portable nature.

Made with just cotton balls and petroleum jelly, they can fit easily into any size emergency kit or backpack without adding much weight or taking up too much space.

That means that survivalists, campers, or preppers can carry a good supply of them without worrying about adding extra bulk to their pack.

How To Use A Cotton Ball Fire Starter

Watch this Everstryke Match Review video to learn how to make fire with a ferro rod and cotton balls…

Vaseline Cotton Ball Fire Starter

Grab Your Free Everstryke Match or your Free Everstryke Pro… Good While Supplies Last!

Just make sure you also have matches, a lighter, or a Ferro Rod in your survival kit to provide the necessary spark or flame to ignite the cotton ball fire starters.

Some of my favorite methods for lighting a cotton ball fire starter include a ferro rod such as the free Everstryke Match or Everstryke Pro, waterproof matches, or a weatherproof survival lighter.

Plus, be sure to include some additional dry cotton balls or cotton fibers, kindling, dryer lint, wood chips, twigs, etc., in your fire-starting kit to help stoke the flames into a roaring fire.

Tips For Using Cotton Ball Fire Starters

Store your cotton ball fire starters in a waterproof container, use 1-2 balls to start a fire, and prepare your fire pit before lighting them up.

How To Store Them

Once you’ve made your cotton ball fire starters, storing them correctly is important to ensure they’re ready for use when needed. The best way to store them is in a plastic baggie, preferably one that can be sealed tightly to keep out any moisture.

This will help keep the cotton balls dry and prevent them from getting wet, which could make them ineffective at starting a fire.

It’s also helpful to label the baggie so that you remember what’s inside and when you made them. Keeping these stored with your emergency kit or camping gear is ideal, as they’re lightweight and portable.

How Many Cotton Balls To Use

When using cotton ball fire starters, the amount you use will depend on the size of your fire and how much kindling you have available (I highly recommend Fatwood for kindling).

Generally, one or two cotton balls should suffice for starting a small campfire, while three or four may be needed for larger fires or damp conditions.

It’s always a good idea to have extra fire starters on hand in case your first attempt does not light successfully. Remember to never leave your fire unattended and always keep a supply of water nearby in case of emergencies.

Preparing Your Fire Pit

Before lighting your cotton ball fire starter, it’s essential to properly prepare your fire pit to ensure a safe and successful burn. Start by choosing a location clear of flammable materials, such as dry leaves or branches.

Next, create a base for your fire using rocks or bricks to contain the flames. This will prevent the fire from spreading beyond its designated boundaries.

Finally, gather extra kindling and fuel before lighting your cotton ball fire starter to keep the flame going once it has started.

Check out this how to build a campfire in 5 simple steps post to learn more about building a fire.

Final Thoughts

Cotton ball fire starters are essential for any survivalist, camper, or prepper. They are easy to make using simple materials such as petroleum jelly and cotton balls.

Not only are they lightweight and portable, but they also burn for several minutes and can be used in damp conditions.

With the proper technique, you can quickly light a campfire with a few cotton ball fire starters in no time.

Tip: It’s much easier to start a fire with wet wood when you are using vaseline cotton balls as a fire starter.

FAQs for Cotton Ball Fire Starters

What is a cotton ball fire starter?

A cotton ball fire starter is a DIY fire starter made of cotton balls coated in a flammable substance like petroleum jelly, wax, or paraffin. It works as an excellent tinder material when starting a fire.

How do I make a vaseline fire starter?

A vaseline fire starter is a type of cotton ball fire starter made by soaking cotton balls in petroleum jelly. To make one, take a few cotton balls and squash them into the jar of petroleum jelly until they are thoroughly coated. Store these in a tin or pill bottle.

What is the best way to melt wax for a fire starter?

You can use a double boiler to melt wax for a fire starter. Alternatively, you can put the wax in a microwave-safe container and melt it in a microwave for 30-second intervals until it melts.

What is the best material to use for a wick in my fire starter candle?

Jute is the perfect material to use as a wick in your fire starter candle. It is highly flammable and will burn for an extended period.

How do I make a hand sanitizer fire starter?

To make a hand sanitizer fire starter, soak a cardboard chip or a cotton ball in hand sanitizer. Squeeze off any excess and make sure it is fully impregnated with the sanitizer. Store this in a container for later use.

Can I use synthetic material instead of cotton balls?

No, it is not recommended to use synthetic materials like polyester or nylon for fire starters. They are not as flammable as cotton, and the fumes produced are toxic when burned.

Do I need an accelerant to start a fire with a cotton ball fire starter?

No, you do not need an accelerant to start a fire with a cotton ball fire starter. The cotton ball soaked in petroleum jelly, wax, or paraffin has enough fuel to start a fire on its own.

Are cotton balls flammable?

Cotton balls are flammable due to their primary composition of cellulose, a burnable carbohydrate. Their ability to ignite and sustain a fire varies with density, moisture content, and any chemical treatments affecting flammability. While cotton naturally tends to catch fire when exposed to heat or flame, these factors can influence the intensity and speed of combustion.

How to make a cotton ball fire starter?

The easiest way to do this is by putting some petroleum jelly into a small, sealable bag. Then, add some cotton balls to the bag. Close the bag and squish it around so the jelly gets into the cotton balls. Try to get enough petroleum jelly on them without making them too wet.

Are cotton balls good fire starters?

Yes, cotton balls are good fire starters, especially when they are smeared with Vaseline or petroleum jelly because Vaseline helps cotton balls burn much longer.

How long do Vaseline cotton balls last?

A typical cotton ball fire starter will last between 3 and 5 minutes. The bigger the cotton ball and the more Vaseline you use, the longer they will burn. Vaseline cotton balls will also last in storage for years, possibly even decades. This is just one of the reasons that makes them such great fire starters to have in your bug-out bag.

How do you make cotton ball fire starters?

Step 1: Gather your materials, including cotton balls (you’ll need one per cotton ball fire starter), a jar of Vaseline or petroleum jelly, a knife or spoon to smear the Vaseline on the cotton ball, and a small plastic baggie, tin, or plastic container.
Step 2: Smear a generous amount of Vaseline or petroleum jelly on the cotton ball using your finger, a knife, or a spoon.
Step 3: Store your finished cotton ball fire starters in a small plastic baggie, a small tin (e.g., a Sucrets tin or an Altoids tin), or a small waterproof plastic container to help keep them from getting wet.
Step 4: Toss your small containers of Vaseline soaked cotton balls into your bug-out bag, go bag, get-home bag, or survival kit, and you’ve got yourself a great waterproof fire starter for any emergency survival situation.

What’s the best way to store Vaseline cotton balls?

The best way I’ve found to store Vaseline cotton balls is in a small plastic bag, a small tin, or a small plastic container. This makes them lightweight, extremely portable and helps keep them from getting wet.

Is Vaseline flammable?

Yes, Vaseline is flammable, and so is petroleum jelly. That’s why we use Vaseline or petroleum jelly to make cotton ball fire starters!

How do you light a cotton ball fire starter?

You can light a cotton ball fire starter with a lighter or matches. Or, you can watch this video to see how I’m able to light a cotton ball fire starter with a single spark from a Ferro Rod.

Can You Light Petroleum Jelly On Fire?

Yes, you can light petroleum jelly on fire with an open flame (like a match or a lighter) or even with sparks from a ferro rod or fire steel.

Is petroleum jelly the same as Vaseline?

Yes, petroleum jelly and Vaseline are the same thing. Vaseline is simply the brand name Unilever uses for its petroleum jelly product.

Can you use cotton balls to start a fire?

Yes, you can start a fire with plain, old cotton balls. However, cotton balls soaked in Vaseline or petroleum jelly make even better fire starters.

Is cotton good for tinder?

Yes, cotton is great for tinder, especially when you soak it in Vaseline or petroleum jelly.