How to Keep Your House Clean During Pumpkin Carving Season

Pumpkin carving is a favorite fall tradition, but it’s also one of the messiest. Between stringy pumpkin guts, sticky seeds, and dripping orange juice, it can feel like your kitchen will never recover. Luckily, with a little planning, you can enjoy this family activity without the stress of a major cleanup.

Prep Before Carving

• Cover your surfaces: Spread newspapers, kraft paper, or even an old shower curtain liner across your carving area. This creates a barrier and makes cleanup as easy as folding everything up and tossing it away.

• Choose the right spot: If the weather’s nice, consider carving outside. Patios, porches, and picnic tables are easier to hose down than your kitchen counters.

During Carving

• Contain the guts: Keep a large bowl or bucket nearby for scooping out seeds and pulp. This keeps the mess from spreading across the table.

• Keep wipes and towels handy: Kids love to show off their progress, which usually means sticky pumpkin hands everywhere. Having cleaning supplies nearby saves your walls and chairs.

After Carving

• Clean immediately: Dried pumpkin is like glue—it sticks to everything and becomes ten times harder to remove once hardened. Wipe down tables and counters right away.

• Don’t forget the tools: Knives, spoons, and carving kits should be rinsed quickly before the pumpkin residue dries.

• Compost when possible: Pumpkin guts are compost-friendly, so skip the garbage bin and give back to the soil.

Bonus Tip: Saving the Seeds

Pumpkin seeds make a healthy, delicious snack. Just rinse them, dry thoroughly, and roast with your favorite seasoning. That way, cleanup doubles as food prep!

Pumpkin carving doesn’t have to turn your home into a sticky nightmare. With some preparation and quick post-carving cleaning, you’ll preserve the fun without the mess!