a peek inside the fishbowl

03 Nov, 2008

Cleaning pinecones, or, how to make your home smell like Christmas

Posted by andrea in: File under crafty

Step 1: Come home with a bag of pinecones.

Step 2: Use a dab of shortening (followed by dish soap) to remove the sticky pitch (pine sap) from your fingers (trust me, it works!)

Step 3: Place pine cones on a foil-lined tray and pop it into a 200F oven.

Step 4: Wash hands again (see step 2).

Step 4: Wait 20-30 minutes. Enjoy the aroma which is filling your home.

Step 5: Remove the pine cones (you will notice they’ve opened up a little more) from the foil and let them cool. The sap will create a glossy sheen if it melted onto the pinecone. It will harden and most importantly, stop being so sticky. Now you’re ready to use the pine cones for any number of cool crafts. Like what? Well, for that you’ll have to wait until my next post.

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1 Response to "Cleaning pinecones, or, how to make your home smell like Christmas"

1 | ImogenSky

November 3rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm

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Awesome! That is one trick I never knew! I used them in daycare because the sticky mess was kept over there, but I had yet to try them out here…Now I can wait to get my hands on a bunch of pinecones! Thank you so much :)

comment form:


  • Nadine C.: I was about to reach for a snack (that I certainly don't need!) and then I read all of the above ...Thanks for stopping my munchies! Oh and I do agr
  • sherry: I'm strangely zen about the toilet brush thing. I do fine with all things toilet (which is good since I'm apparently the only one who notices that it
  • KJT: I try and let the toilet brush dry (sandwiched between the bowl rim and the seat) for as long as possible. Minimizes the ick. I have no problem cleani
  • Laura: Yup, I agree with Sarah...anything about cleaning the toilet makes me gag. Hair in the drain = double gag. I would also add that anything involving
  • Marla: I have no problem with the toilet brush - after all, it's used along with cleaning products, so the ew factor is cancelled out. And I do poop patro
  • Sarah: For me it's ANYTHING to do with, in or around the toilet. I am the only female in a house with 5 males... 4 of whom are children that can't aim. 'N
  • Stefania (Ingredients for Life): Betsy Mae, When I was pregnant with Baby #1 Hubby started picking up the dog poop and then it continued to this day. I better give my great guy a big

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The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our two daughters Emma (10) and Sarah (8). I work as a freelance writer, web content manager, and family photographer. I've been blogging in one form or another since 1999. I have a passion for words (on their own or strung together), the arts, great design, healthy living, family travel, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa for parents and kids. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal ... all rolled into one.

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I write for the Ottawa edition of SavvyMom, an online publication dedicated to delivering practical solutions to moms’ everyday dilemmas. I'm always on the lookout for cool new products, time-saving services and the best family-friendly events in Ottawa. So do contact me if you have something you'd like to share with our very Savvy readers!

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