How to Make Cotton Vaseline Balls

Make fire starters with petroleum jelly and cotton balls.

The usual uses of cotton balls and petroleum jelly are for health and beauty. Another less common use is as a fire starting aide. Campers often make petroleum jelly coated cotton balls in order to make starting fires in the woods easier. The technique to make this helpful outdoor supply is straightforward and simple.

Things You'll Need

• Petroleum jelly
• Teaspoon
• Dish
• Microwave
• Cotton balls
• Zip-up plastic bag

Instructions

1. Put several teaspoons of petroleum jelly in a dish.

2. Heat the dish of petroleum jelly in the microwave at medium power until the petroleum jelly melts.

3. Roll each cotton ball in the petroleum jelly until the jelly completely coats it. When you are done, there should be no dry surfaces on the cotton ball.

4. Place each petroleum jelly covered cotton ball in a zip-up plastic bag to store them.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to burn yourself with the heated petroleum jelly. It should only be warm enough so that it melts.

References

• Utah Preppers; Awesome Firestarter: Cotton Balls and Vaseline; November 18, 2008
• ScoutmasterCG.com; Vaseline and Cotton Ball Fire starter; January 29, 2009