Before You Buy Scented Pinecones This Fall, Pick Up the Ones in Your Yard
Pinecones sold for fall decor often come with cinnamon scent already added, but fallen cones from outside can be turned into the same type of seasonal display with a few steps at home. Blogger from “treasureinanearthenvessel” collected a basketful, washed away the dirt, then added cinnamon essential oil and cinnamon sticks once the cones were ready for scenting.
Water causes the scales to close during washing, changing how the pinecones look for a while, but they open again as they dry. From there, the cinnamon mixture turns something collected outside into fall decor that can fill bowls, baskets, and arrangements around the house.
Gather Pinecones Before Adding Scent
Different sizes and shapes can go into the same batch. Once collected, the pinecones need cleaning before they move from the yard into the house.
A basket also makes it easy to gather enough for several displays rather than treating each cone as a separate decoration.
Wash Dirt From Between the Scales
Pinecones go into soapy water, where they are moved around to release dirt caught between the scales. After washing, rinse them and drain the water.
Wet pinecones may close as they absorb water. Their scales open again as the cones dry.
Cleaning also exposes the spaces between the scales where debris can collect. Letting excess water drain prepares the batch for the scented mixture.
Mix Cinnamon Oil With Warm Water
Warm water goes into a spray bottle with cinnamon essential oil. The original project uses about 1/4 teaspoon of oil with 3/4 cup of water, though the amount can be adjusted for scent strength.
Shake the bottle before spraying since oil and water separate.
Coat the Pinecones From More Than One Side
Spray the mixture across the pinecones while turning and stirring them in the container. Moving the cones exposes areas hidden between neighboring pieces instead of coating only the tops.
Once sprayed, a few drops of cinnamon oil can go straight onto the pinecones for more scent.
Cinnamon Sticks Join the Pinecones
Cinnamon sticks add another material to the mix and can remain with the pinecones when they are displayed. Dried fruit slices or whole spices can also be added.
The pinecones dry in the container after scenting, leaving a mix that can move into a bowl, basket, or centerpiece.
Refresh the Scent When It Starts to Fade
Cinnamon fragrance does not need to end after the first application. Another mist of the diluted mixture or a few drops of oil can refresh the pinecones when the scent becomes faint.
That means the same collected cones can stay in use through the season instead of being replaced with another scented bag.
Use Them With Other Fall Decor
Finished pinecones can sit with cinnamon sticks, dried flowers, leaves, or other seasonal pieces rather than becoming a standalone craft. Their natural brown color already fits fall displays, so the cinnamon changes the scent without changing what the cones look like.
Would you buy scented pinecones after knowing the ones outside can be cleaned and scented at home?