How to Clean a Gourd Taking Precautions

Cleaning gourds is not a fun job, but the fruits of your labor will be worth it. There are a lot of things you can do with gourds. Paint, carve, wood burn, weave on them and so many more ideas. You can make pocketbooks, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, lampshades, baskets, jewelry boxes, bird houses, and if you are very talented you can even make musical instruments.
To precaution you, gourds have a lot of mold and dust which can be dangerous or at the very least cause allergies to act up. Be sure to put on a mask before you clean your gourds also when you sand them drill them or burn them. I can't stress this enough. Try and clean your gourds outside, and wear a smock or old clothes and leave them at the door.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• What you'll need: Outside sink, storage tub with lid (if must bath tub) Copper scrubbing pad (preferably copper, reusable) Old towel and rags Pencil with eraser pumpkin-carving saw (

1. Put on your mask and gloves.
   Fill sink with the hottest water you can
   
   Add bleach or vinegar (whichever you prefer, both work well, although bleach works best)
   
   Cover with wet towel or rags to hold them down, you may want to put a brick or heavy object on top. (soak for at least 30 minutes)
   
   Rotate gourds at least once.
   
   Remove from water and use your copper scrubbing pad and clean off all the wet skin.
   
   Once the skin has been removed, take and wet sandpaper and sand off any mold spots that can not be removed.
   
   Set in an airy area, sun shine does well.

2. After they have dried draw a line where you wish to cut the gourd, free hand or use a bowl.
   
   Using your exacto knife or paring knife score your line, (be extremely careful all knives are very sharp) at one spot on your line go all the way through the gourds shell, you can use the small drill bit or your exacto knife (drill bit works best)
   
   Using your pumpkin carver or other similar tool (or you can use your jig saw) cut all the way through gourd shell and open your gourd. (Do not force your gourd open).
   
   Use your sand paper to get off rough edges around the mouth of the gourd. (Be careful not to sand too much, so your lid will fit back properly, and not on the outside of the gourd, for this will cause markings.)

3. With gloves and mask still on scoop out what you can of the guts of the gourd.
   
   Use your spoon to scoop out the rest and then sandpaper to get smoother, but a drill with extension and wire brush works best.
   
   Once all your insides are out use a damp rag and remove the remaining dust.
   
   If you plan on lining the inside of the gourd with something it is not necessary to get 100% smooth inside.
   
   Be sure to save your seeds for planting.
   Now you are ready to create your masterpiece. Look for other articles on the different ways you can create your gourds with full instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't soak gourds too long they may become soft. You may have to soak them more than 30 minutes.
• Gourds are full of mold and produce dust that are full of airborne pollutants. You should always wear a mask and gloves to prevent skin irritations and infections in your lungs, such as respiratory and chronic problems. It can also stick to your clothes so, leave them outside as not to spread it to your family or in your home.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 4/14/2009 Thanks for the article on cleaning a gourd. Very helpful. 5*

[sonni57]

on 3/27/2009 I've never cleaned a gourd thanks for the new info.

[Susang6]

on 2/23/2009 Interesting information on gourds, I assumed that they would naturally dry out. I have learned something new. Great article with easy to follow steps. 5*