Keep Your House Warm for Free by Using Old Newspaper

Make logs that burn steady and give off the same amount of heat as lightweight wood.

I found that creating logs is a quick and easy way shrink the amount of old newspaper floating around my house while providing free fuel for my fireplace. I also use this project as a fun rainy day activity to do with the children that I nanny.  

Gather

• Old newspapers
• A drop cloth or old shower curtain
• A clean spray bottle
• Dishwashing liquid
• Scissors
• Twine

Prepare

• Place the drop cloth or old shower curtain on a table or across the floor where you will be working.

• Put warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid into the spray bottle.

Create

• Spread sheets of newspaper across the cloth. Make sure not to use the glossy pages since they do not burn as well.

• Spray the newspaper pages with the water/soap solution. Do not drench the pages; just make sure they are slightly wet.

• Roll the wet newspaper together into a tube and tie it tight with twine. If you are doing this activity with children, help them cut the twine or have them use a child-safely scissors.

• Repeat wetting newspaper sheets and wrapping them around the roll until your “log” is 3-4 inches thick.

• Make as many logs as your supply of newspaper allows. 
  

• Air-dry the logs completely in the garage or attic before burning in the fireplace.