I’ve shared this tip before, but here is the BEST way you can prolong your pumpkin’s shelf life. I don’t care if you grew them yourself, or if you bought them from the store.

This, ladies and gentleman, is the magic bleach trick.

With this method I have had SEVERAL pumpkins last (indoors) for 8 months. That’s like August-March. I am not kidding.

Ready?

Step 1. DO NOT pull, tug, or pick up your pumpkins by their stems. An intact stem means a longer living pumpkin.

Step 2. Fill your sink or bathtub with your pumpkins and COLD water.

Step 3. SCRUB off all the dirt with a soapy sponge.

Step 4. Spray some bleach into the water. I like to add enough so that I can smell it. That way I know it will be working hard to kill any rot and bacteria hiding on my pumpkins.

Step 5. Let soak for 30 Minutes- 1 Hour.

Some people have asked if you can eat them after this bleach bath… I assume the skin keeps the bleach out of the inside of the pumpkin, but I don’t know for sure. To be safe, I would only use soap and water if you are planning on eating yours. This method is for decor and front porches.

Lastly, dry those pumpkins off. Any bleach still left will dry and crystalize, turning into a powdery salt looking substance. that’s fine to leave on your pumpkins. I will say that I found the warty pumpkin variety to rot SO much faster than the others. That said, we are on month three of me having pumpkins inside. I’m waiting a little longer until they are outside full time, because we live in the hot and humid south, and that alone will rot your pumpkins in no time.

Here’s a visual of me doing it on instagram stories. It’s a little choppy, but I bring you thought the step by step. It also has a tip for pumpkins that have started to show rot spots.

I hope these tips help you keep your pumpkins in tip top shape for fall!

If you want to grow your own pumpkins, here are my TIPS and TRICKS on a DIY Pumpkin Patch:

How To Grow Your Own Pumpkins From Seed  |  Saving Heirloom Pumpkin Seeds  |  Pumpkin Patch FAQ’s