Three Easy Ways To Waterproof Your Matches

When you're out in the woods, any hiker or backcountry adventurer understands that having the correct equipment to build a fire is essential. If you go with matches, be sure you have a mechanism to keep them safe. Waterproof matches aren't hard to come by, but they might be pricey at your local outdoor store. And, if you're packing your belongings the night before a vacation and realize you're missing anything, there's a good chance you won't have time to hurry to the shop.

Waterproof matches are a must-have item for every outdoor enthusiast. A bug out bag isn't complete without some kind of fire starter.

Ordinary matches don't work well in rainy situations or while you're outside. It's possible to slip and tumble into a puddle, soaking your bag.

It's ideal to start with strike-anywhere matches, regardless of the approach you use. They may be lighted on any rough surface, but strike-on-box matches must be ignited by the phosphorous strip on the matchbox. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

Three Ways to Make Waterproof Matches at Home

1. The fastest, safest, and simplest way to make your survival matches water-resistant is to use turpentine. Turpentine is available at most hardware and art supply stores. Place the matches in the turpentine with the lighting head down and soak for five minutes. The turpentine will seep into the head and stem of the match, forcing the water out. Remove the matches and lay them out to dry on a piece of newspaper. It takes around 20 minutes for any extra turpentine to evaporate. For several months or more, the matches will remain waterproof.

2. Wax is an excellent waterproofing agent for matches. It forms a protective coating that prevents water and other elements from penetrating. Dip match heads into molten wax that has been dropped into a basin, ensuring that they are well covered. Wait for the wax to harden, and you'll have waterproof matches in no time. Simply scrape off a small amount of the match when you need to light it.

3. In a double boiler, melt enough paraffin wax to cover roughly half an inch of the match sticks. Wrap a length of twine around a stack of 15 or more matches immediately after dipping individual matches. This will make a torch that will burn for at least 10 minutes.

Below is a video detailing the various processes used in making waterproof matches: