Pinecones can be found in art stores and in some backyards and parks, making them a cost effective way to decorate a home during the year.One of the most popular ways to decorate pine cones is by bleaching.You can make your own bleached pine cones with just a bucket, bleach, and water.Adding pine cones to your interior design will add a unique flair to it.
Step 1: Put on protective gloves if you are wearing old clothes.
If you are going to be working with bleach, make sure you wear clothes that you won't mind getting dirty.The bleach can irritate and burn your skin, so you should wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Step 2: When pouring bleach into water, wear glasses.
You don't want splashes in your eyes.
Step 3: Take your pine cones with you.
The pine cones need to be completely open and dry.The pine cones won't bleach well.
Step 4: Put the cones in the bucket.
A five gallon bucket is the best for working with a lot of pine cones.There is enough room for the solution to cover all the pine cones.Something smaller can work if you are working with only one or two pine cones.
Step 5: The water and bleach should be put into the bucket.
There needs to be enough solution to cover the pine cones.
Step 6: Rocks or bricks should be put on top of the pine cones to hold them down.
You will need at least two rocks or bricks when the pine cones start to float.Adding another rock or brick will make sure that pine cones don't escape.When it's wet, the pine cones will close up.The bleaching will not be affected by that.
Step 7: Allow the pine cones to sit in the water for 48 hours.
The solution will be given enough time to work.
Step 8: The pine cones have to be checked after 12 hours.
The smaller pine cones might be ready.Again, wear old clothes, rubber gloves, and glasses to protect your eyes and skin.Pick through the pine cones to see if any are ready.If you prefer a certain color, they are ready or not.The pine cones will look bleached if you don't let them sit.Depending on how long the pine cones were submerged in the solution for, the bleaching can range from a driftwood appearance to a blond look.
Step 9: After 48 hours, take the pine cones out.
Take the pine cones out with the help of the old clothes, gloves, and glasses.The bleach solution will cover the pine cones.It is advisable to wear old dirty clothes, gloves, and protective glasses.
Step 10: The pine cones should be placed on a surface that is dry.
A tarp, baking sheet, paper towel, or old towel that you won't mind getting bleach on will work.The pine cones can take up to a week to dry.
Step 11: When they are dry and open again, remove them from the drying surface.
The pine cones should be open and dry.
Step 12: If you don't want to wait a week you can bake the cones.
Take them out of the bleach solution and bake them at 250 degrees for 24 hours.If it's hot, you can leave them in the sun to speed up the drying process.