Can Char Cloth Be Made with Recycled Materials?

Materials Needed

To make char cloth with recycled materials, you’ll need old clothes, paper, or cardboard, some twine or string, and a heat source, such as a candle, lighter, or fire pit. The ideal materials for making char cloth are those with a high cellulose content, like cotton, linen, or paper products.

Preparing the Materials

Cut the old clothes, paper, or cardboard into small pieces and tie them into bundles using twine or string. This will help to create a consistent burn temperature and prevent the materials from smoldering unevenly. For a small batch of char cloth, use 5-10 pieces of material, each about 2-3 inches in length and 1 inch in diameter.

Making Char Cloth

Place the bundles on a heat source and burn them at a low to medium temperature, about 200-300°F (90-150°C), for 30 minutes to an hour. You can use a thermometer to monitor the temperature if you have one. As the materials burn, they will turn into a smoldering, carbonized mass. Remove the bundles from the heat source and let them cool completely. Once cooled, the char cloth will be ready to use as tinder or for starting fires in survival situations.