Halloween is a time for tricks, treats, ghosts and ghouls, and of course, pumpkin carving. But imagine a nightmare worse than on Elm Street – clogged pipes from pumpkin guts!
Be sure to dispose of your pumpkin guts and seeds properly. Never put them down your sink or flush them down the toilet!
When pumpkin guts dry, they become sticky like glue and can cling to the sides of your pipes causing unwanted build up resulting in a horrifying clog.
Follow these tips to prevent clogged pipes this fall:
- Carve your pumpkins on newspaper or garbage bags for an easy clean up.
- Pile pumpkin guts into a bowl so you can separate the seeds and pulp for cooking tasty treats such as pie, butter, risotto, bisque or simply roast the seeds.
- Wash the sticky guts off your hands using an outside spigot or wipe them down with a paper towel until the pumpkin is completely removed before washing your hands in the sink.
After Halloween is over:
- Dispose of your pumpkins by throwing them in the garbage or compost, or you can bury them! Microbes and other critters in the soil will feast on your old pumpkins and turn them into rich soil.
- Air dry and save your seeds to plant in the spring to grow your own Halloween pumpkin next year.