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Pinecones laying on a whitewashed wooden surface.
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How to Clean and Prepare Pine Cones for Crafts

Learn how to prepare pine cones for crafts so they are clean, dry, and bug-free! With vinegar and water, you can clean pine cones easily so they're ready for any craft projects you want to make.
Author: Laura Radniecki

Materials

  • Pine Cones
  • Bowl or Bucket
  • White Vinegar
  • Water
  • Cookie Sheet
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Oven
  • Paper Towels
  • Clear Acrylic Sealer (optional)
  • Pine Cone Prep Checklist  (Free in my resource library!)

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix water and vinegar. A cup of vinegar is a good starting point, but you can add more if you use a lot of water.
  • Add your pinecones to the water and vinegar mixture. Soak for 20 minutes.
    It is normal for pinecones to close up when they are wet. They will open back up once they dry.
  • Take the pinecones out of the water and rinse them. Use a strainer to make this step easier. Drain any excess water, and place on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake pine cones in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven. You have two different options for this step.
    Option 1: Bake the pinecones at 200 degrees for 2+ hours, turning them every 30 minutes until fully dry and open. (Keep a watchful eye on them because you don't want them to burn or get brittle from too much heat.)
    Option 2: Bake the pinecones at 200 degrees for 20 minutes to kill any remaining bugs, remove from the oven, and let air dry for 2-3 days until fully dry and open.
  • If you are going to let the pinecones air dry after 20 minutes in the oven, place them on a layer of paper towels to help absorb moisture.
    Once the pinecones are fully dry and open, they're done!
  • (Optional) - If you plan to use the pinecones in their natural form (and not paint them), you can spray them with a clear acrylic sealer for added protection and shine.

Notes

  • Before you begin the cleaning process, remove any visible dirt, sticks, grass, pine needles, or other debris you see in your pinecones. This will make the preparation process easier.
  • It's normal for pinecones to close up when they are wet. This will happen during the cleaning and sanitizing process. They will open back up as they dry, either in the oven or as they air dry.