- Clean the inside. …
- Give it a bleach-water bath after you carve it. …
- Apply petroleum jelly. …
- Rehydrate the pumpkin daily. …
- Store it in the fridge overnight. …
- Give it an ice bath. …
- Don’t use real candles to light it. …
- Display it in a stable temperature.
How do you keep a carved pumpkin from rotting?
Soak the carved pumpkin in a tub of cold water overnight to keep it hydrated. Add a little bit of bleach to the water, which helps prevent mold. Dry off the pumpkin as soon as you remove it. Lastly, rub petroleum jelly all over the edges of the pumpkin.
How do you seal a carved pumpkin?
Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) or WD-40 to the carved edges of the pumpkin. This seals moisture so the edges won’t shrink and shrivel. It’s important to disinfect the pumpkin before sealing the carving or you’ll trap bacteria and mold inside the layer.
How do you extend the life of a carved pumpkin?
Extend the beauty of carved pumpkins by washing them with warm water and letting them dry before making the first cut. Try leaving the top intact and scooping the insides out through a hole in the back. Coat the cuts with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil to seal in the moisture and prolong your display.
What to spray on pumpkin to preserve it?
Keep uncarved pumpkins fresh longer by spraying WD-40 on the surface. Carved pumpkins can reap the benefits too!
Does Hairspray keep pumpkins from rotting?
Spraying the cut surfaces with hairspray can also slow down the decaying process. Products designed for anti-humidity work really well. Instead of cutting the stem out of the top of the pumpkin to be carved, cut the hole on the bottom of the pumpkin and remove the piece.
What can I seal a pumpkin with?
The idea is to seal in moisture while preventing mold and bacteria from setting up shop on your pumpkin. Suggestions include applying petroleum jelly, vegetable or olive oil, or even WD-40 to the inside and outside of the pumpkin.
How do you preserve a carved pumpkin without bleaching it?
Petroleum jelly or vegetable oil will help keep the moisture in and keep your pumpkin looking good. Another option is to use a store-bought pumpkin preservative spray like Pumpkin Fresh, which contains fungicide (to kill the mold) and lubricants (to keep the pumpkin from drying out).