I have used cotton balls with vaseline. They are definitely messy to make. Personally I like to use bulk cotton rather than small cotton balls. When I make it the cotton is "oily" but not "goopy". Bulk cotton compressed into a film container. Pull out a pinch with thumb & forefinger. Not too much mess in the field. Takes a spark real well & burns good. That film container and my scout hot spark are my main campfire starters in the field.