Why People Spray WD-40 on Jack-O’-Lanterns

It's October in Massachusetts and the weather is chilly and damp. The leaves are changing colors and folks are carving pumpkins for Halloween. But those jack-o'-lanterns can go bad fast outside. Rain, wind, and cold make them moldy or shriveled in just a few days. Mold loves the wet spots, and squirrels love to take bites out of them.

The WD-40 Pumpkin Hack

That's where WD-40 comes in. Most people know it for fixing squeaky doors or stuck hinges. Around here, a lot of families use it on their pumpkins too. Pumpkins are full of water. Once you carve them, that moisture starts to leave and mold moves in. WD-40 is a water displacer. Its name stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. Spray a light coat on the cut parts and it pushes water away. It leaves a thin oily layer that keeps moisture out and slows down the drying.

This trick has been around for years in Massachusetts. Gardeners and neighbors shared it at fall fairs and online. It can keep a pumpkin looking good for up to two weeks instead of a couple of days. No more mushy messes sitting on the porch. It is cheap and easy to find. Grab a can at any hardware store. Some mom and pop shops, Home Depot, and Lowe's even run low on it around Halloween because so many people want it.

It will not fix every problem. A hard freeze can still wreck a pumpkin. But it does a good job fighting the damp New England weather. Next time you see a shiny pumpkin glowing on a doorstep in the Berkshires or Boston, it might have a little WD-40 on it. Just use it outside and do not eat the pumpkin after. Safety first.

A quick spray after carving can help your jack-o'-lantern last through Halloween night. It is a simple fall hack that works for a lot of families around here.