TikTok's Genius Pumpkin Carving Hacks Are Total Game Changers

Preparing your porch for trick-or-treaters can be a lot of fun, and there are plenty of Halloween decorations to choose from, both whimsical and scary. But there's nothing scarier than the task of cleaning out the inside of your jack-o'-lantern. Cutting a small hole around the stem of the pumpkin doesn't leave you much room to reach inside to remove all the pulp and seeds, and those small plastic scrapers just don't do the trick. Maybe it's time to try a few new hacks when you do your carving this year — you can begin by turning your pumpkin upside down to cut a hole in the bottom, and then grab your hand mixer to clean out what's inside.

Carving a pumpkin from the bottom has become the new trend, and it makes sense for a lot of reasons. You can make the hole a little bit larger on the bottom than you would at the top, which makes it easier to reach in and remove all the goop inside. A hole in the bottom will also keep your pumpkin from decaying so quickly. Once a pumpkin is carved, it slowly starts to dissolve into a messy puddle. It will deteriorate quickly if this moisture has no place to drain, and it will also submerge your candle as it liquifies. Cutting a pumpkin from the bottom allows the liquid to seep out, which will help prevent it from molding and rotting so quickly.

Once you've cut a hole in the bottom of the pumpkin, clean it out with this technique that's become popular on TikTok. Rather than scraping away at the insides with a scoop or a spoon, use your hand mixer to remove the pulp and seeds from the cavity. Place some newspaper down beforehand, and then insert the mixer and let it do all the work. Once you've finished, spoon out what's collected inside and use a pair of scissors to remove any strings that have become entangled, then rinse everything in a large bowl of water. Separate the seeds from the pulp, then wrap up the pulp in the newspaper and dispose of it.

An important tip to keep in mind is not to discard the pulp down your drain, or it could eventually cause a blockage in your pipes. Another tip is to use a flameless candle to light your jack-o'-lantern, which doesn't require an opening at the top for a vent like a traditional candle would. Place a small piece of cardboard under your pumpkin to make cleanup easy as it starts to drain. Finally, pop the pumpkin seeds in the oven with a little butter and salt, and enjoy a healthy snack as you finish decorating!