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Tips for Preserving Your Pumpkin
You can help make your pumpkin last longer if you follow any of these steps:
Wash your hands and tools with anti-bacterial soap before carving. This keeps out nasties that rot the pumpkin.
Cut the bottom out of the pumpkin instead of the top. This helps retain moisture, and makes it easier to put on top of your light/candle.
Spray the finished pumpkin with Lysol spray, also the kill off the nasties.
Keep your pumpkin in a cool, dark place. A refrigerator is great if you have room...
Keep the pumpkin covered in plastic wrap when not being displayed, or better yet, recycle a plastic grocery bag.
Coat the cut and peeled areas of the pumpkin with Vaseline. Be careful not to get it too gooey, or picking up your pumpkin may be an adventure!
Don't keep your pumpkin lit unless you're using it. Otherwise the pumpkin can "cook" from the inside out from all the heat.