Make fire lighters from scraps and used wax melts

When we built our home a few years ago we decided we wanted a log burner in the living room.  When I started my sewing business I was producing a lot of small scraps of fabrics, the largest of these I give to local schools or organisations to use in craft activities.  The smallest we put to use making home made fire lighters.

The other important constituents of the fire lighters is wax and egg boxes.  We use old wax melts that have done their job of making homes smell lovely and give them a new function.  My mum and her friend keep their used wax melts and old egg boxes for us.

How to make the fire lighters

Materials needed

Cotton scraps

Egg boxes

Used wax melts (or ends of candles)

1. Stuff each section of the egg box with scrap
2. Melt the wax in an old pan of metal jug
3. Pour over the scraps in the egg box (not to much but enough to soak the top layer
4. Leave to cool and set
5. Cut using a sharp pair of scissors or serrated knife
6. Store in a box 

Using the fire lighters

We find that one section is enough to start a fire in our log burner with some kindling and briquettes.  

The bonus is if you keep them near your fire you get the left over aroma from the wax melts, usually a pleasant scent with no distinct top notes.

For us it means we reduce the waste produced and turn it into something that we would otherwise have to buy.  

If you have scraps and a log burner give it a go, it will save you money and put less waste to landfill.