https://gardentherapy.ca/bleached-pinecones/
MATERIALS:
- Pinecones (various shapes and sizes)
- Bleach
- Large bucket
- Water
- Rubber Gloves
- Bricks or large rocks
I used two parts water to one part bleach. It’s best to do this part outside or in a well-ventilated area because of the fumes. Make sure you are wearing clothes that you don’t mind ruining just in case you splash yourself with bleach water, and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Put the pinecones in a large bucket (I used a 5 gallon utility bucket). Fill the bucket with water first and then add the bleach. The cones will float. Push them back down into the bleach water and lay the bricks or stones on top. You might have to add another rock or two and tuck any floaters back under the rocks.
Let the pinecones sit in the bleach solution for 24 hours, but no more than that. I did a check after 12 hours or so and noticed some of my smaller pinecones were already whitish.
Pinecones close up when they are wet, so if you can’t see any change because they are closed, that doesn’t mean it’s not working. Let them sit submerged in the bleach water for the entire 24 hours for the full effect. Any longer than that and the pinecones will start to deteriorate in some spots.
After 24 hours, put on your gloves and work/craft clothes and remove the bleached pinecones. I laid them out on a large piece of paper outdoors so the fumes would dissipate. To dispose of the bleach water, I poured mine in a bathtub slowly, being careful not to let any twigs or dirt go down the drain.
DRYING PINECONES
As they dry, the bleached pinecones will start to open up again. If it’s a sunny day, perfect! Leave them outside to completely dry. It can take a few days for them to fully open. If you are in a hurry or have a stretch of wet weather, you can dry them in your oven. Set your oven to the lowest setting (it’s usually 170-200 F) and let the pinecones dry for a couple of hours. As soon as they are open, remove them.
As they dry, you will be amazed at the transformation! Once dry, bleached pinecones get a silvery sheen to them that will make them perfect for any type of holiday crafting. They are even pretty on their own displayed in a tall vase or bowl. However you decide to use them, making bleached pinecones is a simple project that yields beautiful results