How to Clean Pinecones for Crafts and Decor

Pinecones are one of nature’s little treasures, and this time of year, they begin to fall from the trees. I’m fortunate to have a few Scotch Pine trees nearby, which makes it easy to gather pinecones while on school runs.

Once I bring the cones home, the first step is to brush off any dirt or debris from the outside. Then, I give them time to naturally open up. On warmer days, this happens fairly quickly, but when it’s colder, I speed up the process by placing them on top of radiators for a bit. Once the cones are open, I use an old paintbrush to clear out any loose material from between the scales.

Next comes the cleaning. I make sure the pinecones are at least partially open so that my cleaning mixture of warm water and white vinegar can get inside to remove dirt and any hidden bugs. I don’t follow exact measurements for the mixture; I just fill enough water to cover the pinecones and then add a bottle of white vinegar—the standard size you’d find in a kitchen.

I let the cones soak for a couple of hours (or until I remember I’m cleaning them, as I tend to get easily distracted). Once soaked, I take them out and let them air dry. Drying time can vary depending on the weather and humidity, especially here in the UK, where it could take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Once fully dry, the pinecones will open up again and be ready for you to use however you like.