The staff at RestoPros takes their Halloween festivities very seriously. The leaders in mold remediation are especially concerned with proper preparation, presentation and preservation of carved pumpkins; also referred to as Jack-o-lanterns. These Halloween décor staples are part of a long and storied tradition that continues to well into our high-tech age of inflatable spooks and animatronic monsters. Part of our fascination with these old-world totems is the short lives that they lead; even shorter in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area given the high humidity still prevalent during our fall. The hot, humid weather can usually be counted on to prematurely kill our creations with mold, mildew and rot. Because we deal with mold issues, we have remedies for keeping your carved creations around for longer than a few days. We also have jack-o-lantern safety tips for keeping everyone safe during the preparation of a new pumpkin design.
Carving Safety
The best place to carve a pumpkin is outside, on a grassy area where the inside contents can fall without causing anyone to slip. Find a sturdy patio or picnic table and place newspapers over the work space. Cut open the top and scoop out all the seeds and fibrous strands; placing them in a bowl. Never dispose of the inside detritus in your sink – as it will hurt both the disposal and the plumbing. Place the pumpkin insides in a compost heap or a garbage can. After carving the pumpkin, you will want to dispose of the various pieces the same way.
Preservation
One of the best ways to preserve your creation, especially if you want to keep it on the porch for a prolonged period, is to soak it in a bleach and water solution. Exposing it to the bleach will keep it free from mold for at least a week. The sodium hypochlorite in the bleach kills the microorganisms that allow the pumpkin to rot. After you have carved the pumpkin, thoroughly wash out the inside with water – making sure to clean out all the fibrous material. Fill a bathtub (or large bucket) with three gallons of water and then add three teaspoons of bleach. Using a pair of plastic gloves, completely immerse the pumpkin into the water for a couple of minutes. You will need to hold it down as it will otherwise float. Remove the pumpkin from the solution and then let it air dry outside. This will ensure that your jack-o-lantern lives to light up the night for at least a week (it will also keep squirrels, birds and other animals from tearing into it as well).
Presentation
Part of the magic of a jack-o-lantern is the orange glow that comes from the candle placed inside. However, candles are not good for the interior and are a fire hazard. The best alternative to a wax candle is a flameless candle, which comes in a variety of designs. The best flameless candle for a jack-o-lantern is a flameless tea light – the kind that replicates the flickering of a burning wax candle. Glow sticks and small flashlights have also been used as light sources, but neither offers the flickering light of the compact tea lights. Flameless candles won’t heat up the interior of the pumpkin (which helps to prematurely age them) and will last much longer than wax candles. When you are finished with your jack-o-lanterns, you can reuse your tea lights for the next big holiday.
The staff at RestoPros hopes that you and your family have a safe and happy Halloween season. If you find yourself dealing with the specter of mold during the scariest time of year – don’t be afraid! We can help with a variety of remediation solutions that best suit your household. Call us at 855-587-3786 and schedule an appointment today!
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