What is the best way to store flash paper and cotton? I had a bag of it that turned yellow and it reeked. Can I restore it?

No, the acids (mainly Nitric at that point) has leached out and the paper is no good. Flush with A LOT OF WATER and dispose of it.

Simply store in a cool dark place. I have used it for years and just keep it in the ziploc bags in comes in, in a draw. There is NO need to refrigerate it, rinse it or anything else. But it does have a shelf life, and the lower the quality the faster it will do what yours has just done.

Thanks for the info. I had my paper and cotton in the original bags and stored in my drawer and when I opened the drawer it smelled and I opened the bags with the flash paper and cotton and it smelled terrible. I didn't know if I was able to restore it since it was a lot of it for my pyro. I never got to use it

I have new flash cotton and it arrived damp in a zip bag. Can I store it as is or should I dry it and pack to the zip bag? So is the moisture bad for long term storing? I mean does it get moldy or something?

I dry mine out and store it in a wood box. I have never had an issue with it going bad. But then again, maybe mine all goes up in flames too quickly to know!

I usually put it in a zip lock bag soak it in alcohol.

I believe the recommended way to store it is to dry it out after receiving, then store in a metal box away from any heat sources.

However, I have found the chemicals do not treat metal kindly so I question that. I have been told that once it starts turning that weird yellow color it has an increased possibility to self-ignite, so I would dispose of it if that started happening. Of course, I would just toss it into a fire out back but that's me.

Schramek is RIGHT. Dry it thoroughly and store it in a WOODEN box (metal can give a sparkle to ignite and 'plastics' can be 'eaten up' by the chemicals)

Pyrotechnicians know that even STATIC ELECTRICITY can give an ignition!

My flash cotton arrived wet. I altered my routine and opted not to use. Now months later (even though bag was never opened) It appears to be bone dry.
Can I simply re-wet it and store? Or has it's shelf life passed? - And really - how long should one be even storing it?
If I decide that I want to dispose of it - what is the best way? (not sure I want to light off a big ball of flash cotton).
Thank you!