Hints From Heloise

Sat., Feb. 22, 1997

King Features Syndicate

Dear Heloise: Can I get a copy of your item on how to make fire starters out of wax, sawdust and egg cartons?

I had it and misplaced it and would like to make some, but I’m not sure as to what’s what. - Robert Glazier, Medford, Ore.

You sure can, and you’ve got the ingredients right! More specifically, you need pieces of used candles or paraffin wax, sawdust or clothes-dryer lint and cardboard (not plastic foam) egg cartons.

Halfway fill each cup in the cardboard egg carton with the sawdust or dryer lint.

Next, slowly and cautiously melt the wax in a coffee can in a pan of water over very low heat.

Once melted, carefully pour the wax into each cup of the egg carton until full. Then slowly stir the mixture in each cup, using a wooden ice-cream stick or chopstick.

When the wax is cool and hard, just cut the egg carton into individual cups.

Use extreme care when melting the wax because it can ignite and cause serious damage. - Heloise

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