Amazing DIY Pine Cones Crafts. How To Clean and Prepare Pine Cones for Crafting. How to Dry Pinecones For Christmas Decorations.
I love autumn. I love to walk in the forest in autumn.
Get some fresh air, admire the nature and … collect pine cones for crafts.
I collect pine cones that have fallen from the trees.
The secret of successful pine cone art is the appropriate preparation. As all of them come from nature, they can often be dirty, full of bugs, and not so rarely wet.
Brush off visible dirt, dust, and debris with a small brush.
Soak in a large bucket with warm water and about a cup of white vinegar for 30 min.
At the halfway mark, use a spoon to stir the pine cones. This will help loosen and remove debris and bugs.
It is normal for the pine cones to close up while they are soaking.
Remove from water and let air dry in a strainer or on paper towels for 1-3 hours.
Place on a foil lined baking sheet and bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) for 1- 1,5 hours, turning over halfway through.
As they are baking, the pine cones will re-open.
Remove from oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes.
Baking the pine cones will finish killing any bugs that survived the water bath.
Baking the pine cones will also melt away any sap that is stuck on them.
It is recommended that you let them air dry for two to three days.
No matter what tips to clean pine cones for crafts you consider the best, your goal is to get them clean and well-prepared for your Christmas decorations.
There are many ways how to paint the cones – choose with any kind.
You can paint a pine cone with a colorless varnish.
