Preserve your carved pumpkins with this homemade spray. It’s been pinned on Pinterest 10,000 times!

By ALEXIS ROCHESTER

One of our favorite posts for October is our DIY carved pumpkin preserving spray!

It has been pinned over 10,000 times on Pinterest since we published it, so you can definitely say it is popular!

It is easy to make too!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water

• 2 tbsp borax

• 20 drops peppermint essential oil

• 20 drops tea tree essential oil

• Spray bottle

Mix ingredients in a jar, then add to a spray bottle. Keep in mind borax won’t dissolve all the way, so be sure to stir well before pouring.

How to Use:

1. Carve your pumpkin, make sure to scrap EVERYTHING out! Don’t leave any membranes.

2. Spray the entire inside of pumpkin including the carved areas and lid. Make sure to really saturate it! When you spray the lid area, leave the lid off and allow to dry before putting back on.

3. Spray this solution on every day. It will extend the life of your carved pumpkin for a few days to a week.

This solution is based on science too. You can read all about the science behind each ingredient in our post.

Other important tips to keep in mind:

· Weather plays a huge factor in mold. In Texas, mold can start within a day. I bring my pumpkins inside where it is cooler. You can even store pumpkins in a garage or fridge during the day if you have space.

· This solution also deters bugs, but insects can also bother carved pumpkins if they are left outside. If you have bug issues, bring pumpkins inside when they aren’t being used.

· Borax is a salt, so it can leave a residue on pumpkins, just brush it off.

For more pumpkin carving tips and additional preserving ideas, visit our blog post.

Alexis Rochester is an investigative chemist, blogger and founder of Chemistry Cachet. She shares science-based skin care, cleaning, gardening and health tips. She was diagnosed with RA at age 10, so she has a passion for pain management tips and research, along with sharing her journey through this disease. When she’s not writing for Chemistry Cachet, she is taking Pilates or Barre classes, and also received her Barre teaching certification this year! She grew up in Stephenville and recently moved back with her daughter, husband and bulldog. You can find her posting pictures and fun stories daily on Instagram. Also look for Chemistry Cachet on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and LinkedIn.