7 Ways To Preserve and Keep Carved Pumpkins From Rotting

Tips

• Carve your pumpkin two or three days before Halloween if temperatures are over 70°F; when cooler, you can carve four days before. Keep the pumpkin in the shade and away from wind; bring it indoors during the day to keep it fresh.
• Before carving, clean the outside of the pumpkin lightly with water and dry it thoroughly.
• Spray the pumpkin with a bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per quart of water) inside and out, or soak the pumpkin in the solution for 20 minutes to eliminate mold and bacteria.
• Use commercial pumpkin preservative sprays like Pumpkin Fresh or Pumpkin Dunk’N, which contain borax and sodium benzoate, to kill bacteria and mold.
• Apply rubbing alcohol to the pumpkin to slow rotting, keep fruit flies away, and stop mold. Alternatively, wipe the pumpkin with an acrylic liquid floor cleaner on a wet towel to keep uncarved pumpkins fresh for up to four weeks.
• Spray a coat of hairspray or acrylic finish spray on the cleaned pumpkin surface; let dry and apply additional coats to create a barrier against moisture and rot. Note: this may be harmful if you plan to eat the pumpkin.
• Spray WD-40 over the pumpkin's surface, wipe off excess, and let dry for a day before using candles inside. This repels insects and prevents freezing.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the inside, edges, and cut-out parts to keep bacteria away and trap moisture. Combine with Tabasco sauce to deter critters.
• Rub a small amount of vegetable or olive oil over a completely dried pumpkin to protect it. Note: oils are flammable; use glow sticks or battery-powered tea lights instead of candles.
• Keep the carved pumpkin in a cool, shaded place away from sunlight to prevent drying and spoiling. Place in the fridge if hot outside, but avoid freezing.
• To rehydrate a dried-out pumpkin, soak it in a bathtub or bucket of water overnight or for a few hours, then wipe off excess water to prevent mold.