Here’s the easiest way to make your pumpkins last longer. No need for a messy bleach bath or even a sink full of soapy water and a drippy mess all over your kitchen. This hack is the best-kept secret among fall porch decor fanatics. (I made that up, but there’s probably a Facebook group.)
For more in-depth info on cleaning and preserving pumpkins, check out this post:
How to Preserve Pumpkins and Gourds Without Bleach
Make Pumpkins Last Longer with Wipes
Disinfecting wipes to the rescue. Again! Seriously, are these things not one of the best inventions of the 20th century?
When I wrote this blog post on preserving pumpkins without bleach, a reader commented that she uses bleach wipes to clean pumpkins and they last for months.
Sold.
Since I had the non-bleach version on hand already, leftover from school supply shopping, I tried this hack. It’s so easy, there’s no going back to the sink method to make pumpkins last longer.
To be honest, I can’t see how bleach-free disinfecting wipes would really be any different for this purpose than the bleach version. These Clorox and Lysol wipes both kill 99+% of germs and viruses, and that’s essentially the same as bleach.
Read on – here’s exactly how to make pumpkins last longer the easy way.
First: Clean Pumpkins Well
You can always scrub your pumpkins down in the sink with soapy water and a gentle brush.
Or, if you’re lazy like me, just wipe them really well with a wet rag.
Speaking of lazy – you might also like my blog post: Cleaning Hacks for Lazy People.
This is also a great job for kids who want to help. I remember when one of my kids was in pre-school and their daily activity was “washing pumpkins.” It’s good training for the porch decor crew.
Next: Use Wipes to Kill Mold Spores and Bacteria
Here’s the easy-peasy part. Grab a tube of disinfecting wipes and give your pumpkins a good scrub. You really need to get them nice and wet, so don’t be stingy with the wipes.
Try These Disinfecting Wipes (Bleach-Free)
The Clorox disinfecting wipes have a bleach-free formula that should sit on the surface for four minutes before drying.
That’s the official word on properly disinfecting with Clorox wipes, which means, use enough wipes that they aren’t drying out too quickly.
If you hate the smell of conventional disinfecting wipes, there are some scented alternatives to consider. Thanks, COVID. This feels like an upside to all that cleaning.
I really enjoy these Scentiva wipes. Have you tried the? For a disinfecting wipe, they actually smell great!
There are even more options now than when they first came on the market. I just found a lavender version.
(The current $14 price is ridiculous, but here’s an example just to show the product.)
I also found these lavender disinfecting wipes from Fabuloso. Haven’t tried them, so I can’t speak to the scent. If you’ve tried them, drop a comment below – yay or nay?
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Or Stick With Bleach Wipes
If you prefer to stick with bleach to preserve pumpkins, just grab a can of bleach wipes!
These are also easier than a sink full of bleach water. No measuring, pouring, splashing, etc. Bleach wipes are simple and straightforward.
Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands!
Make Pumpkins Last Longer With Clear Coat
If you want to take this project to the next level, spray your cleaned pumpkins with a clear coat spray. Check out this blog post for more details on the products I specifically recommend.
Happy fall decorating!
How to Preserve Pumpkins Without Bleach
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Easy DIY Wax Melts to Make Your Home Smell Great
How to Apply Gold Leaf to Glass Decor
Make These Easy DIY Shower Steamers
