How to Clean the Inside & Outside of a Gourd

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Wash & dry your gourds for birdhouses & other crafts
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Gourds have beautiful, hard shells and unique shapes that make them popular in crafting projects, like birdhouses and decorative bowls. If you’re drying gourds, it’s super easy to clean off the dry skin, mold, and dirt on the surface of the gourd and get crafting. Just soak the gourd in water for 15-30 minutes and scrub it with an abrasive sponge. Keep reading to learn how to clean the exterior and interior of your dried gourds, as well as how to dry and cure fresh gourds!

Things You Should Know

  • Place the dried gourds in a container of lukewarm water and cover them with wet towels. Let them soak for 15-30 minutes.
  • Then, scrub the gourds with a metal dish scrubber or scouring pad. Rinse them with water and then let them air dry for 1 to 2 days.
  • To clean the inside of the gourd, cut it open with a hand saw or jig saw. Remove the pulp and seeds with your hands and clean out the sides with a spoon or scraper.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Outside of Dried Gourds

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  1. Find a container or tub large enough to hold your gourds and fill it with lukewarm water. Then, grab several clean towels and submerge them in the water until they’re dripping wet. [1]
    • Do not use hot water, as this can cause the gourd to crack.
    • For extra cleaning power , add 1 tbsp (15 ml) of bleach per gallon (3.8 l) of water in the container. The bleach helps kill mold and bacteria on the gourd. [2]
    • If you don’t want to use bleach , add a squirt of liquid dish soap. This can also help clean and disinfect the outside of the gourd. [3]
  2. Place the gourds inside the tub of water so at least one side of each gourd is submerged. Dried gourds float, so cover the sides of the gourds that aren’t in the water with the wet towels. [4]
    • Place a dumbbell, brick, or other weighted object on top of the towels to help keep the gourds submerged in the water.
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  3. Leaving the gourds in the water helps soften the dried skin and loosen any mold, dirt, and other debris. Just let the gourds soak for about 15 to 30 minutes. [5]
    • To help soften the gourds’ skin further, turn the gourds over about halfway through the soaking process so the other side is submerged in the water.
  4. Put on gloves and a respirator mask and move to a well-ventilated area. Cleaning your gourds can expose you to mold, dirt, and bacteria, so make sure to wear cleaning gloves and a respirator mask. Then, work outside or move to a well-ventilated room in your house where you can open the windows or turn on a fan. [6]
  5. Scrub the gourds with a metal dish scrubber or scouring sponge . Hold the gourd in the water and use an abrasive scrubber or sponge to remove the dried skin and layers of mold and dirt. Just press hard enough to scrub away the debris but not so hard that you scratch the gourd. [7]
    • It usually takes some elbow grease and a few minutes of scrubbing to completely clean the gourd.
    • Don’t forget to scrub the stem, too!
    • It's normal for some of the mold and dirt to stain the gourd. You can sand away these spots when the gourd is fully dry, which we explain below.
    • Avoid using steel wool to clean your gourds, as it tends to leave metal particles on the gourd.
  6. If your scrubbing pad isn’t removing stuck-on pieces of skin and debris, grab a butter knife or scraper. Carefully scrape your tool against the spots on your gourd to prevent scratching or cutting into it. [8]
    • If the spots still aren’t coming off, let the gourd soak in the water again for about 30 minutes. Then, scrub and scrape off the debris.
  7. Hold your gourds under cool, running water to wash away the skin and debris you removed, as well as any cleaning agents you used. Then, set the gourds on a wire rack and place them in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated spot to air dry for 1 to 2 days. [9]
    • When your gourds are fully dry, they’re ready to be displayed as decor or used in fun arts and crafts projects, like painting them or making a gourd birdhouse !
    • Keep the gourds out of direct light and away from heat sources, as this can cause the gourd to crack.
  8. Sanding your gourds is optional if you want an extra smooth finish or to get rid of any unsightly spots. Just start sanding with 80-grit sandpaper . Then, work your way up to fine, 120-grit sandpaper . [10]
    • Feel free to use just the sandpaper or a sanding block or sander.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning the Inside of Dried Gourds

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  1. Put on gloves , a respirator mask , and safety goggles . Cutting into your gourd and cleaning the inside can expose you to mold and dust, so it’s important to protect yourself. Wear gloves, a respirator mask, and goggles and work outside or in a well-ventilated area. [11]
    • You do not have to clean out the inside of your gourd if you’re just using it as decoration or painting the outside.
  2. How and where you cut your gourd depends on what you plan on using it for. For instance, if you’re using the gourd as a vase, you might simply cut off the top with a hand saw. [12] If you’re cutting out a more intricate design, you might use a jig saw instead. [13]
    • Outline where you want to cut the gourd using a pencil.
    • As another example, you might use a power drill to make a simple opening for a birdhouse.
  3. Reach inside the gourd with your hands and pull out the dried pulp and seeds. Then, grab a gourd scraping tool, spoon, or clay sculpting tool and drag it against the sides and bottom of the gourd. This gets rid of dried pulp and skin you couldn’t remove with your hands and smooths the interior of the gourd. [14]
    • Shake the gourd over a trash can or trash bag to get all of the debris out.
    • Note : If you’re making a birdhouse, you don’t have to scrape out the inside. Birds don’t mind the debris and often use it to build their nests.
    • If the opening is too small or the pulp and seeds are in a tough ball, soak the gourd in warm water for 30 minutes to loosen the debris. After cleaning the inside, let the gourd completely air dry.
    • Save the pulp and seeds for fun projects, like planting gourds or creating pulp sculptures.
  4. If you’re making a bowl or your project needs a super smooth inside, sand down the gourd to an even finish. Just use sandpaper, a mushroom tool , or add a gourd ball cleaner attachment onto a power drill. Then, buff the inside of the gourd until it’s at your liking. [15]
    • When you’re done sanding the inside of the gourd, feel free to add primer, dye, or paint to decorate the gourd.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Drying Fresh Gourds

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  1. If you’re growing your own gourds, wait to harvest them until the stem is dry and looks brown. Just use clean cutting shears to snip the gourd from the vine, leaving 2 to 3 inches (5-7.6 cm) of stem on the fruit. [16]
  2. Fill your sink or a bucket with warm water and pour in several drops of hand soap or dish soap. Then, add in the gourds and use a soft cloth to wipe them clean. Rinse the gourds off with water and use a clean towel to dry them off. [17]
  3. Spread out several sheets of newspaper in a well-ventilated area that stays warm and dry, like your garage or a shed. Then, lay the gourds on the paper so they aren’t touching one another. [18]
  4. Dry the gourds for 6 weeks, turning them and changing the paper often. It can take several weeks for the gourds to fully dry out. Every few days, rotate the gourds so each side gets air and dries evenly. [19] Then, check the newspaper. If it feels damp, replace it with fresh sheets. [20]
    • Your gourds are fully dry when they feel light and you can hear the seeds rattling around inside.
    • It might take your gourd more or less than 6 weeks to dry. Different gourds have different drying times, with some taking 1 month and others taking 6 months.
    • It’s normal for some gourds to rot during the drying process, so don’t feel discouraged if yours do. Just remove any gourds that shrivel up or grow soft.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do I have to clean the inside even if I am just painting the outside for decoration?
    Community Answer
    You don't have to; but if you don't, the inside will look older than the outside.
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  • Question
    Will gourds get damaged if they are picked off of the vine before they dry?
    Community Answer
    It's best to pick them after the first frost, then store them in a dry and cool place so they harden completely.
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      Tips

      • As an alternative to hand washing your gourds, try pressure washing them. This is a great method if your gourds have thick walls, as thin-shelled gourds are likely to break.
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      • Choose ripe, fully grown gourds to dry. Young, dark green gourds are more difficult to dry and typically shrink as they dry.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • An avocado slicer with a stainless steel blade and a long handle works great for scraping the inside of the dried gourd.
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      Warnings

      • Wear protective gear, including rubber gloves and a respirator mask, and work in a well-ventilated area when cleaning gourds. Gourds can contain mold and dust that are harmful to touch and breathe in.
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      • Always wear eye protection, like safety goggles, when using power tools.
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      • Do not mix bleach with other cleaning agents, as this can produce a toxic gas that is dangerous to breathe in. [21]
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      Things You’ll Need

      Cleaning the Outside of Dried Gourds

      Cleaning the Inside of Dried Gourds

      Drying Fresh Gourds

      • Cutting shears
      • Hand soap or dish soap
      • Cleaning cloth or towel
      • Newspaper

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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.pillywigginsgarden.com/gourd-cleaning.html
      2. ↑ https://montanahappy.com/how-to-preserve-decorative-gourds-to-last-longer/
      3. ↑ http://www.pillywigginsgarden.com/gourd-cleaning.html
      4. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      9. ↑ http://www.michigangourdsociety.org/cleaning-and-preparing-a-gourd.html
      1. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/yDE2OqLBzbw?si=ky_9kZg-bDDD0eke&t=5
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/dkX-70mVyYI?si=HkAFIuACXKzXLcv0&t=137
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/dkX-70mVyYI?si=ABfAh7y8RvGmjlJ8&t=191
      6. ↑ https://www.idahogourdsociety.org/uploads/1/3/5/1/135146312/clean_gourds_submitted_terry_noxel.pdf
      7. ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2000/8-25-2000/gourds.html
      8. ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/harvesting-and-preserving-gourds/
      9. ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2000/8-25-2000/gourds.html
      10. ↑ https://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/09/saving-gourd-and-pumpkin-seeds/
      11. ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/harvesting-and-preserving-gourds/
      12. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-with-bleach.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean a gourd, start by soaking it in water for 30 minutes to soften the skin, then using a scouring pad to rub the skin off. Next, scrub the gourd with liquid dish soap to remove the white mold from the surface. If this doesn’t get rid of all the mold, try soaking the gourd in 2 cups of bleach diluted with 5 gallons of water before scrubbing it again. Once you’ve removed all the mold, allow the gourd to dry in a well-ventilated area. Then, use a drill or rotary cutter to cut a hole in the gourd, and scrape out the seeds and pulp with a spoon. For advice on how to sand the inside of a gourd so you can use it as a bowl, read on!

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