Terms of UseHow to Bleach Pine Cones Explore this Article parts 1 Preparing Your Materials 2 Soaking the Pine Cones 3 Drying the Pine Cones Other Sections Questions & Answers Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Co-authored by wikiHow Staff
Last Updated: March 28, 2019
X
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 26,091 times.
Pinecones are plentiful in art stores and in some backyards and parks, making them a cost effective way to decorate a home any season of the year. There are different ways to decorate pine cones, with bleaching being one of the most popular techniques. Using just bleach, water, and a bucket, you can make bleached pine cones of your own. The pine cones can end up having anything from a driftwood look to a blond tone, making this a way to add a unique flair to your interior design.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Preparing Your Materials
1 Dress in old clothes and put on protective gloves. Because you will be working with bleach, which can permanently marr your clothing, make sure you are wearing old clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty. You also want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the bleach, which can irritate and even burn your skin.
2 Wear protective glasses, especially when pouring the bleach into the water. You don’t want any splashes getting into your eyes. Advertisement
3 Gather your pine cones. Make sure the pine cones are completely open and dry. Wet and closed pine cones will not bleach well.[1]XResearch source
4 Put the pine cones in your bucket. If you are working with a lot of pine cones, then a five gallon utility bucket will be best. It will have enough room to allow the solution to cover all the pine cones. But, if you are working with smaller pine cones, or with only one or two, then something smaller can work.
5 Add 2 parts water to 1 part bleach to the bucket. Make sure there is enough solution to cover all the pine cones.[2]XResearch source Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Soaking the Pine Cones
1 Put rocks or bricks on top of the pine cones to hold them down in the solution. The pine cones will start to float, so you will need at least two rocks or bricks. If some pine cones escape from under the rocks or bricks, then add another rock or brick to make sure they all stay down.
The pine cones will close up when they are wet. That is supposed to happen and will not affect the bleaching.[3]XResearch source
2 Let the pine cones sit in the bleach water for up to 48 hours. This will give the solution enough time to work.
3 Check the pine cones after 12 hours. Some of the smaller pine cones might be ready.
Again, put on old clothes, the rubber gloves, and protective glasses to protect your skin and eyes.
Remove the rocks or bricks and start picking through the pine cones to see if any are ready. Your own preference for color will determine if they are ready or not.[4]XResearch source
The longer you let the pine cones sit, the more bleached they will look. The bleaching can range from a driftwood appearance to a blond look depending on how long the pine cones were submerged in the solution for.[5]XResearch source
Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Drying the Pine Cones
1 Remove the pine cones after 48 hours. Put back on all the protective gear–the old clothes, gloves, and glasses– and gently take the pine cones out.
Remember that the pine cones will be covered in a bleach solution. Wearing old dirty clothes, gloves, and protective glasses is advisable to protect your clothing, skin, and eyes.
2 Place the pine cones on a surface to dry. A tarp, baking sheet, paper towel, or old towel that you won’t mind getting bleach on all will work. The pine cones may take up to a week to dry.
3 Take them off the drying surface when they are dry and open again. The pine cones should be as dry and open as they were before you poured the solution on them.
4 Bake the pine cones if you don't want to wait a week. After you take them out of the bleach solution, let them dry for 24 hours and then bake them at 250 degrees until they open.[6]XResearch source
Alternatively, if it is hot out, you can leave them in direct sunlight to speed up the drying process.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search Add New Question
Question Do I need to rinse out the bleach? Community Answer No, the bleach will go away as they dry. No rinsing is needed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement
Tips
Wear old clothes to prevent the bleach ruining your good ones. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Work in a well ventilated area or outside. The smell of the bleach can be strong. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
Pinecones
Bleach
Large bucket (a five gallon utility bucket works best)
Water
Rubber gloves
Large stones or bricks
You Might Also Like
How toPass As a Guy and Still Be Scene or Emo (for FTM Teens)How toAct Like FluttershyHow toAct Like a Mermaid at SchoolHow toBe a Creepy GirlHow toBe a Scene GirlHow toCreate a Custom List on IMDbHow toMake a Waldorf DollHow toAct Like a Baby AgainHow toPlay Minecraft in Real LifeHow toDrill Small Holes in Glass for Jewelry or Wind ChimesHow to Play wikiHow to Meme (wikiHow's Limited Edition Card Game)How toBe an Emo Girl in Middle SchoolHow toClean AluminumHow toSponge Paint a Bathroom Advertisement
Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 26,091 times. 46 votes - 85% Co-authors: 6Updated: March 28, 2019 Views: 26,091
Print
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 26,091 times.
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer Co-authors: 6Updated: March 28, 2019 Views: 26,09185% of readers found this article helpful. 46 votes - 85% Click a star to add your vote
You Might Also Like
How toPass As a Guy and Still Be Scene or Emo (for FTM Teens)How toAct Like FluttershyHow toAct Like a Mermaid at SchoolHow toBe a Creepy Girl wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: wikiHow Staff wikiHow Staff Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 26,091 times. 46 votes - 85% Co-authors: 6 Updated: March 28, 2019 Views: 26,091 
wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 
594 
1 Dress in old clothes and put on protective gloves. Because you will be working with bleach, which can permanently marr your clothing, make sure you are wearing old clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty. You also want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the bleach, which can irritate and even burn your skin. 
2 Wear protective glasses, especially when pouring the bleach into the water. You don’t want any splashes getting into your eyes. Advertisement 
3 Gather your pine cones. Make sure the pine cones are completely open and dry. Wet and closed pine cones will not bleach well.[1] 
4 Put the pine cones in your bucket. If you are working with a lot of pine cones, then a five gallon utility bucket will be best. It will have enough room to allow the solution to cover all the pine cones. But, if you are working with smaller pine cones, or with only one or two, then something smaller can work. 
5 Add 2 parts water to 1 part bleach to the bucket. Make sure there is enough solution to cover all the pine cones.[2] Advertisement 
1 Put rocks or bricks on top of the pine cones to hold them down in the solution. The pine cones will start to float, so you will need at least two rocks or bricks. If some pine cones escape from under the rocks or bricks, then add another rock or brick to make sure they all stay down. 
2 Let the pine cones sit in the bleach water for up to 48 hours. This will give the solution enough time to work. 
3 Check the pine cones after 12 hours. Some of the smaller pine cones might be ready. 
1 Remove the pine cones after 48 hours. Put back on all the protective gear–the old clothes, gloves, and glasses– and gently take the pine cones out. 
2 Place the pine cones on a surface to dry. A tarp, baking sheet, paper towel, or old towel that you won’t mind getting bleach on all will work. The pine cones may take up to a week to dry. 
3 Take them off the drying surface when they are dry and open again. The pine cones should be as dry and open as they were before you poured the solution on them. 
4 Bake the pine cones if you don't want to wait a week. After you take them out of the bleach solution, let them dry for 24 hours and then bake them at 250 degrees until they open.[6] 
Community Answer No, the bleach will go away as they dry. No rinsing is needed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.