5 homemade solutions to stop carved pumpkins going mouldy

It’s officially autumn when pumpkins start arriving in supermarkets and thousands descend upon local farms to choose the pumpkin they want to carve for Halloween. But, after making all the effort to turn the autumnal vegetable into something scary, how do you stop it from going mouldy whilst it waits for trick-or-treaters? Since pumpkins are moist, any exposed areas inside will start to go mouldy very quickly. There are several ways to stop the vegetable from rotting – using both chemical and natural solutions. Warning: It is not advisable to eat the pumpkin after it has had a chemical or natural solution applied to the flesh, nor should you break it up and leave it out for wild animals, or place it in a compost bin or heap to rot. After Halloween, simply discard the pumpkin into a household rubbish bin to maximise safety for all.  Peppermint Using peppermint soap or essential oil, create a solution with water. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and lightly spray the inside of the carved pumpkin. Womansday.com explains: ‘Peppermint is a natural anti-fungal and will slow the decomposition process, significantly extending the life of your pumpkin.’ READ MORE: Halloween celebrations could cost drivers £5,000 ‘Slows rotting!’ How to stop carved pumpkins going mouldy – five solutions (Image: GETTY)Another natural method to preserve a pumpkin is to use the ever-useful cleaning ingredient of vinegar. Experts said: ‘To keep your pumpkins looking brand-new, just fill a large tub with 10 parts water and one part vinegar. Let the gourds soak for 20 to 30 minutes in the bath, then pull them out and let them air-dry.”This won’t make the pumpkins last forever, of course, but it will help them stay fresh and new-looking for longer and it’s safe for any pets or wildlife.Ice If your pumpkin is starting to wilt, give it an ice bath overnight for some serious rehydration. Once you take it out, dry it thoroughly to prevent mould growth.DON’T MISS…Five foods you should not cook in an air fryer [EXPERTS]’Lift tighten & sculpt’ ageing skin with holistic alternative to botox [EXCLUSIVE]Prince Harry ‘not pleased’ with Meghan’s ‘clingy’ behaviour [VIDEO] It’s best to use battery-powered candles or string lights to light up the pumpkin (Image: GETTY)While pumpkins that are yet to be carved can last for as long as three months, if they are kept in a well-ventilated area, the carved equivalents have a shorter lifespan. Once carved, they are said to only last three-to-five days, or up to a fortnight if kept cool.