How to Preserve Your Carved Pumpkins to Make Them Last Longer

Directions

1. 1
   Carve your pumpkin no more than 48 hours before you plan to display it.
2. 2
   Use rubber gloves and add 1 tablespoon of bleach to each quart of water and fill a bucket with enough of the mixture to cover the pumpkin.
3. 3
   Hold down for 30 minutes. Allow to dry.
4. 4
   Coat all the cut edges of the design with petroleum jelly.
5. 5
   Optional: Spray the design with clear acrylic spray.
6. 6
   Keep the pumpkin in the fridge or in a cold dark room when not on display.
7. 7
   Use LED lights instead of candles to light the Jack O Lantern.