Carving a large pumpkin for Halloween takes time and effort. Many people are frustrated by the appearance of mold on their creations following the witches' night. Continue reading the article and find out how to prolong the fluffy smile of your pumpkin over time by protecting it from mold.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Silica gel
Step 1. Look for silica gel packs
Silica is used as a desiccant because it is able to absorb and disperse moisture. What causes your pumpkin to rot and mold? Excessive humidity. The solution is simple, but effective.
- Check your closet or chest of drawers and find out if you have stored any silica gel packs after your last purchases. Alternatively, search the web, the cost of silica gel is really negligible. Usually, silica gel bags are placed in the following products:
- Dried beef
- Shoe and shoe boxes
- Cat litter
- If necessary, create small niches inside the pumpkin and use them to store the silica beads, in this way you will not risk breaking them by inserting them into the pulp.
- You can insert a bag of silica gel inside the pumpkin, resting it on the bottom. It will help fight the moisture found at the bottom of your creation.
Step 2. Remove the gel beads from the package
Do not leave them unattended or within reach of animals and children, although silica gel itself is not toxic, sometimes the manufacturers add other harmful chemicals to the product (for example cobalt chloride).
Step 3. Insert the gel into the pumpkin
Remove the top of the pumpkin. Take a bead of silica and stick it into the pulp of the pumpkin. Don't press it too hard to not change the outside of the pumpkin.
Apply about 3-4 grams of silica for every 250 cubic centimeters of pumpkin
Method 2 of 4: Bleach
Step 1. Blend 1 tablespoon of bleach per 4 liters of water and create a bath to soak the pumpkin in
You will need a large tub and a good amount of water and bleach, depending on the size of your pumpkin.
Bleach is an antimicrobial, while water hydrates the skin of the pumpkin just like a moisturizer would do by acting on the human body
Step 2. Dip the pumpkin in the bleach mixture until it is completely covered
Leave it to soak for about 8 hours.
Step 3. Remove the pumpkin from the bleach solution and pat it dry with a sponge or paper towel
Step 4. Moisturize the pumpkin with the bleach solution daily
Spray it internally and externally with the solution used initially to treat the squash. After that, you absorb the excess moisture. Moisture is an ally of mold.
Method 3 of 4: Pumpkin Preservatives
Step 1. Purchase a pumpkin preservative
You can find them online in stores that specialize in Halloween products. This type of products act as fungicides and may contain water, sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax), and / or sodium benzoate (preservative and fungicide).
Step 2. Spray the pumpkin with preservative or dip it in the product
Using a spray dispenser makes the operation more comfortable, but soaking prolongs the life of the pumpkin over time.
If you choose to soak the pumpkin in the preserves, remember to pat it dry with paper or a sponge. Remember that mold is born in the presence of moisture
Step 3. Continue spraying the squash daily
Spray it internally and externally with preservative and see how it reacts to mold and decay. Pumpkin preservatives can keep mold out for up to 14 days.
Method 4 of 4: Ineffective Methods
Step 1. Do not use the glue to preserve the pumpkin
Many believe that the glue creates a protection on the inside of the pumpkin, preventing moisture from causing mold. Unfortunately, the glue only speeds up the pumpkin's demise.
Step 2. Do not use petroleum jelly or other petrolatum to preserve pumpkin
The idea that petroleum jelly can protect the pumpkin from dehydration, preventing it from rotting, does not correspond to reality. Unfortunately, even this method only speeds up the pumpkin's demise.
Step 3. Do not use spray acrylic to preserve the pumpkin
This method is also known for its sealing properties on the inside of the pumpkin. Unfortunately, instead of creating a barrier to keep mold out, acrylic spray can actually speed up the rotting of the pumpkin.
