Pumpkin Preserver Spray

Keep your jack o lanterns fresh longer with this simple DIY pumpkin preserver

 

Carving pumpkins has always been one of my family’s favorite Halloween traditions.

Here’s how it usually goes:

  • Everyone in my family gets their own pumpkin, sometimes more than one if we find really cute or unusually shaped pumpkins.
  • We pick a night when we’re all going to be home – those are fewer and fewer these days, but we always find a time.
  • We have a special dinner, some apple cider from our local orchard, and a fun fall dessert.
  • Then we get out our Sharpies and carving tools and get to work making our jack o lanterns.
  • When we’re done, we celebrate by putting them out on the front porch and lighting them.
  • Unfortunately, as much fun as we have making them, they usually don’t last long as decorations.  Within just a few short days, the pumpkins are usually withered and rotten.

 

At least that’s how it used to be.

A couple years ago, I discovered this simple homemade pumpkin preserver made from essential oils.  And that was a game changer.  Now, our carved pumpkins stay fresh for at least a week, if not two.

The essential oils in this jack o lantern preservative…

  • are antifungal (slows down mold and mildew growth)
  • are antibacterial (helps keep the pumpkin from rotting)
  • and repel bugs and rodents

 

 

rotten jack o lantern on the left, preserved jack o lantern pumpkin on the right after using essential oil pumpkin preserver spray

 

 

How to make essential oil pumpkin preserver spray

 

step 1:  add 20 drops of essential oil to a 2 ounce spray bottle

tip:  Choose a spray bottle that’s made from materials safe to use with diluted essential oils.  Glass, stainless steel, and certain types of plastic (plastic #1 HDPE or plastic #2 PET) work well.

tip:  I share a few essential oil blends below that you can use for the 20 drops of essential oils, but if you happen to have an immune support blend like Young Living’s Thieves, doTERRA’s On Guard, Plant Therapy’s Germ Fighter blend, or similar premade blends from other brands, you can use those instead of the essential oil combinations below.

 

blend #1

5 drops tea tree essential oil

10 drops sweet orange essential oil

3 drops cinnamon essential oil

2 drops clove essential oil

 

blend #2

10 drops lemon essential oil

5 drops tea tree essential oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

 

blend #3

10 drops sweet orange essential oil

5 drops cinnamon essential oil

3 drops eucalyptus essential oil

2 drops rosemary essential oil

 

 

step 2:  fill bottle most of the way full with vodka

tip: Be sure to leave room in the bottle for the sprayer.  If you fill the bottle too full, when you put the sprayer top in, it will overflow.

tip: A high proof alcohol like vodka is best for this because that will helps disinfect the pumpkin, which will help it stay fresh longer.  But if you don’t have vodka or prefer not to use it, you can use distilled water instead.

 

step 3:  shake well

 

 

How to use

  • Shake well before each use
  • Cover the inside, outside, and any cut surfaces of the jack o lantern liberally with the spray
  • Allow the spray to penetrate the pumpkin and dry completely
  • (optional) Cover the inside and cuts with a light coating of olive oil to help prevent the pumpkin from drying out
  • If lighting jack o lanterns, only use a battery-powered candle for fire safety.

 

rotten jack o lantern on the top, preserved jack o lantern pumpkin on the bottom after using essential oil pumpkin preserver spray

 

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Sarah Lewis

A little thing about me: I 💙 essential oils. I also love using my background in research to help people learn more about essential oils and all the wonderful ways they can be used. I share DIY recipes for natural cleaners that really work, non-toxic beauty solutions, and holistic wellness. My essential oil recipes, info, and tips have been viewed more than 20 million times. I've been featured on MindBodyGreen, Health & Natural Living, All Natural Ideas, This Natural Home, Natural Living Ideas, and Passion for Savings.
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