A woman has shared a 10-second hack that will help Halloween lovers keep their pumpkins fresh for longer – and the trick involves a very unexpected ingredient that many people already have in their homes
A savvy woman has been hailed for sharing her Halloween hack that can keep carved pumpkins fresh for an extra two weeks. In a TikTok video shared by Meridian and Ralph’s Farm Market, the woman demonstrates how to prepare a pumpkin for Halloween, highlighting one crucial step to ensure it stays in prime condition for the big day.
She begins by washing the pumpkin with a water and bleach solution to ward off mould, advising: “Use one tablespoon of bleach per pint of water. Note the bleach will evaporate once it dries. You can also wash with a vinegar solution.”
Next, she cuts a hole in the bottom of the pumpkin instead of the top to “prevent the sides from caving in later”. The caption adds: “It will also make it easier to move your pumpkin to different locations. Sprinkle cinnamon on the top of the pumpkin it will smell amazing when you add a candle. Use a dry eraser felt. You’ll be able to easily erase your lines after carving.”
After carving out her design, she covers each cut surface with Vaseline, which can be purchased for as little as £1 from various retailers. She concludes: “This will keep your pumpkin moist after carving. Pumpkins should last 1-2 weeks once carved. Sprinkle cinnamon inside your pumpkin for a festive smell when your candle is lit inside the pumpkin. Keep undercover outdoors. This will keep your pumpkin lasting longer, preventing mould.”
One user was puzzled about the Vaseline step and asked: “What does the Vaseline do?” To this, another replied: “It makes it last longer instead of rotting really quickly.” A different user chimed in with an alternative, suggesting: “It’s better to use vinegar. When the critters get in it, they don’t get sick or die.”
Another shared their family tradition: “Just carve it the night before trick or treat. It’s a tradition at our house and kinda sets the mood! Pumpkins, movies, and pizza! ” Someone else shared their own method: “We carve it the day of Halloween and put Christmas lights inside so that my mom can cook it up the next morning and make soups and pies out of it.”
