After the holidays, when there are plenty of candle wicks left, you can use them to make lighter strips. Homemade lighter strips are environmentally friendly aids to stove lighting and are easy to use when starting a fire. In summer, for example, when lighting a campfire. Cigarette lighters are also an environmentally friendly and original gift when visiting grandma in the countryside.

How to make starter strips

Tear 3x 20 cm strips from an old cotton kitchen towel or pillowcase. Melt the candle wax carefully in an old pot over low heat. Take a strip of cloth between the tongs, dip it briefly into the candle wax, lift it out in the hanging position and wait a while for the wax to solidify. When the wax is completely solidified, roll the waxed strip of cloth.

It’s easy to prepare the chips outdoors when the weather is a little cooler. Then the wax sets quickly on the fabric and you don’t have to wait long for it to set.

If using a firewood stick, unroll it from the end and place it in the fireplace between the firewood. Light a strip of wax between the trees and soon the trees are well alight.