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How to Clean Pine Cones Download Article Co-authored by Amy Guerrero
Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Approved
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Preparing to Clean the Pine Cones
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Giving the Pine Cones a Bath
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Baking the Pine Cones
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Expert Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Amy Guerrero. Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 97% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 85,140 times.
To thoroughly clean your pine cones, you will need to first soak them in a water-vinegar solution. The solution will help kill bugs, as well as loosen and remove any dirt and debris. Once they are finished soaking, they will be ready to bake. Bake your pine cones for an hour to an hour and a half, or until they have re-opened. Then let your pine cones air dry for two to three days.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Preparing to Clean the Pine Cones
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1 Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). This way, your oven will be heated when you are ready to bake the pine cones.[1]XResearch source
2 Line a baking sheet with foil. Make sure the bottom and sides of the baking sheet are covered in foil. Depending on how many pine cones you have, you may need to line two or more baking sheets with foil.[2]XResearch source
Alternatively, you can use parchment paper to line the baking sheet.
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3 Remove debris from the pine cones. Remove pine needles, clumps of dirt, leaves, twigs, and other debris that may be stuck on or in the pine cones.[3]XResearch source
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Giving the Pine Cones a Bath
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1 Fill a large mixing bowl with warm water and ½ cup (120 ml) of vinegar. Use distilled white vinegar. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined.[4]XResearch source
Alternatively, you can plug up your sink and fill it with the water-vinegar solution.
Depending on how much water you use, you may need to use more vinegar like 1 cup (240 ml).
2 Place them in the bowl. Make sure the pine cones are totally submerged. If they are not, then fill your bowl with more water until they are.[5]XResearch source
3 Soak them for 30 minutes. At the halfway mark (15 minutes), use a spoon to stir the pine cones. This will help loosen and remove debris and bugs.[6]XResearch source
It is normal for the pine cones to close up while they are soaking.
4 Remove and place them on a sheet of newspaper. As you are placing the pine cones on the newspaper, shake them to remove any excess water.[7]XResearch source
Alternatively, you can place them in a strainer to remove excess water before placing them on the newspaper.
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Baking the Pine Cones
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1 Place the pine cones on the baking sheet. Arrange them on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure the edges of the pine cones are not hanging over the edges of the baking sheet.[8]XResearch source
2 Bake them for 1 to 1.5 hours.[9]X Expert Source Amy GuerreroArts & Crafts SpecialistExpert Interview As they are baking, the pine cones will re-open. At the one-hour mark, check to see if they have re-opened. If they have re-opened, then take them out. If not, then leave them in the oven for another 30 minutes.[10]XResearch source
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.
3 Let them cool. Do this once you have finished baking them. Set them outside to cool or just let them cool in your kitchen. This may take 20 to 30 minutes.
4 Place them on newspapers to air dry once they are finished cooling. Let them air dry in a well-ventilated room, or place them outside. It is recommended that you let them air dry for two to three days.[11]XResearch source
5 Spray the pine cones with a clear polyurethane finish. This finish is a preservative.[12]X Expert Source Amy GuerreroArts & Crafts SpecialistExpert Interview It will help your pine cones last longer.[13]XResearch source
You can purchase a clear polyurethane finish from your local hardware or arts and crafts store.
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Expert Q&A
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Question How do I keep my pinecones preserved? Amy Guerrero Arts & Crafts Specialist Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement. Amy Guerrero Arts & Crafts Specialist Expert Answer After cleaning them, spray them with a clear coat finish so they stay in good condition. 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 8
Question How do I scent pine cones Michila Lalama Community Answer If you want to scent them, try using essential oil of pine. Put a few drops on and let it dry. 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 2 Helpful 10
Question What should I do if I want to scent them? Community Answer To scent pine cones, you can put a few drops of essential oil on them. Alternatively, you can also prepare a soak for the pine cone by adding 5-7 drops of essential oil into a bowl of warm water and submerging the pine cone in it for 10 minutes, then leaving it to air-dry on a paper towel. 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 7 Helpful 8
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Co-authored by: Amy Guerrero Arts & Crafts Specialist This article was co-authored by Amy Guerrero. Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement. This article has been viewed 85,140 times. 21 votes - 97% Co-authors: 5Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 85,140 Categories: Nature Crafts In other languages Spanish Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
Barbara Felix
Jan 29, 2020
"I live in a 65-and-older complex. I am collecting pine cones so we can have a fun project painting them. Thanks for your help on cleaning and preserving them."..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Amy Guerrero Arts & Crafts Specialist Co-authors: 5Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 85,14097% of readers found this article helpful. 21 votes - 97% Click a star to add your vote
Barbara Felix
Jan 29, 2020
"I live in a 65-and-older complex. I am collecting pine cones so we can have a fun project painting them. Thanks for your help on cleaning and preserving them."..." more
Les Armstrong
Oct 25, 2019
"Helped me in drying techniques on various seeds that I use in bug houses."
Janet Swanson
Dec 31, 2017
"This article is very self explanatory! It was a great help!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Co-authored by Amy Guerrero 
How toClean an Oven with Vinegar 
How toRoast Acorns 
How to Sanitize Wooden Utensils 
How toClean an Oven with Baking Soda 
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Co-authored by: Amy Guerrero Arts & Crafts Specialist This article was co-authored by Amy Guerrero. Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement. This article has been viewed 85,140 times. 21 votes - 97% Co-authors: 5 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 85,140 Categories: Nature Crafts In other languages Spanish Japanese 
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1 Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). This way, your oven will be heated when you are ready to bake the pine cones.[1] 
2 Line a baking sheet with foil. Make sure the bottom and sides of the baking sheet are covered in foil. Depending on how many pine cones you have, you may need to line two or more baking sheets with foil.[2] 
3 Remove debris from the pine cones. Remove pine needles, clumps of dirt, leaves, twigs, and other debris that may be stuck on or in the pine cones.[3] Advertisement 
1 Fill a large mixing bowl with warm water and ½ cup (120 ml) of vinegar. Use distilled white vinegar. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined.[4] 
2 Place them in the bowl. Make sure the pine cones are totally submerged. If they are not, then fill your bowl with more water until they are.[5] 
3 Soak them for 30 minutes. At the halfway mark (15 minutes), use a spoon to stir the pine cones. This will help loosen and remove debris and bugs.[6] 
4 Remove and place them on a sheet of newspaper. As you are placing the pine cones on the newspaper, shake them to remove any excess water.[7] 
1 Place the pine cones on the baking sheet. Arrange them on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure the edges of the pine cones are not hanging over the edges of the baking sheet.[8] 
2 Bake them for 1 to 1.5 hours.[9] As they are baking, the pine cones will re-open. At the one-hour mark, check to see if they have re-opened. If they have re-opened, then take them out. If not, then leave them in the oven for another 30 minutes.[10] 
3 Let them cool. Do this once you have finished baking them. Set them outside to cool or just let them cool in your kitchen. This may take 20 to 30 minutes. 
4 Place them on newspapers to air dry once they are finished cooling. Let them air dry in a well-ventilated room, or place them outside. It is recommended that you let them air dry for two to three days.[11] 
5 Spray the pine cones with a clear polyurethane finish. This finish is a preservative.[12] It will help your pine cones last longer.[13] 
Amy Guerrero Arts & Crafts Specialist Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement. 
Michila Lalama Community Answer If you want to scent them, try using essential oil of pine. Put a few drops on and let it dry. 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 2 Helpful 10 
Community Answer To scent pine cones, you can put a few drops of essential oil on them. Alternatively, you can also prepare a soak for the pine cone by adding 5-7 drops of essential oil into a bowl of warm water and submerging the pine cone in it for 10 minutes, then leaving it to air-dry on a paper towel. 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 7 Helpful 8 