1.15.2012

:: recycled fire starters


The days are getting colder and colder here, giving us more opportunities to have a nice cozy fire. For my family that means pressing a button on a remote, but for some { the lucky ones in my opinion } it means starting a fire from scratch. Oh there is nothing more wonderful than the smells and sounds of a warm crackling fire. I really miss having a real fireplace, even if it is a little more work. It would be nice to have a reason to keep all the fire starting goodies & tools by the fireplace...for gas logs it just seems silly. The basket above however is for my fire pit outside, everything needed to start a nice blazing fire. 


I saw an image on pinterest that uses your dryer lint and empty toilet paper tubes to make recycled fire starters. Which in my opinion is a brilliant use for all of the dryer lint and unused toilet paper tubes. I was so excited to give it a try. The image on pinterest looked like this one below, though try as I might I cannot find it now.


Though functional enough, this just didn't appeal to my aesthetic sensibilities so I decided to take it just a step further by wrapping mine in newspaper. I grabbed my scissors and cut a sheet of newspaper in half, and with the tube at the bottom I rolled it up.



First I just twisted the newspaper on the ends which worked fine, but after a few using that method I decided instead that it would be much easier and quicker to just pinch & push the newspaper ends into the tube. This is the method I stuck to to make the rest of my tubes. You could always go a step further even and tie them with some twine, I thought about it but found it a little unnecessary since mine were purely functional & I like to use my twine for other things.





In the past I've used mostly pinecones to start my outdoor fires, but I think these are going to work great. I'll put one underneath a little pile of pinecones with some kindling on top & I'll have a blazing fire in no time. I'm also really excited to find a great use for all of the toilet paper tubes & dryer lint....just one less thing to have to throw in the recycle bin or the trash. I think they look pretty cute to boot, and that's always a plus in my book.

{ peace, love & hugs }
Carrie

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10 comments:

  1. Oh how I love those! What a fabulous recycling tip! I'll be trying them soon (going to go check and see if there is an empty tp roll in the trashcan :-).

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    1. Ha ha, I've now started a basket for saving my lint & tp rolls in my laundry room.

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  2. I think this is such a GREAT idea! I think I might have to give this a try this summer! Thanks for sharing a wonderful idea.

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  3. Thats a great idea, although mine also only requires a button. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Perfect!! Lovely photos -- inspired project(made even better by you)!! Thanks so much.

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    1. Thank you all, yes a very inspired project indeed, I've been scouring pinterest trying to find that original image so I can give credit where credit is due with no luck. If anyone sees it please let me know. Thanks

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    2. http://www.thegreenwife.com/2010/01/27/kindling-gone-green/

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  5. This is a fantastic idea! This is also the reason I love blogland, you learn so much. Who knew! Can't wait to try this out :-)
    Di
    x

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  6. Oh yea those are cool!! Too bad ours is gas only - no real logs! I love how you made them looks like little rolled candies :)

    Kristina
    Something 2 Write About

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  7. I stumbled onto your website. This is a great idea and looks adorable. We just bought an old tiny cabin. The redeeming quality was a huge rock fireplace. I am so excited to try your idea. Thanks!

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I love seeing your lovely faces & reading your sweet comments. Thanks for taking the time to visit me : ) * I do my best to respond by e-mail, if I miss you please forgive me. peace & love * Carrie

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