Right, make sure the cotton balls are 100% cotton, and try putting some vasoline on it and kind of kneading the cotton to spread it around. You don't need much, it shouldn't get messy.

You can store it like this in a micro ziplock or other container so it doesn't get the rest of your items messy if you're worried about it. Then, when you're ready to light a fire, fluff it up. Pull the fibers apart so it forms a larger ball that's barely holding itself together. Then give her a spark <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />