Let’s talk about how to clean and preserve acorns: crafts and decor

As the temperatures drop and fall decorations make an appearance, adding touches of the season to our spaces becomes a fun endeavor. Acorns, those charming symbols of autumn, can be an excellent addition to your fall decor.

Here’s a simple guide on how to clean and preserve acorns for your crafts. Add acorns for a beautiful bit of nature from nearby oak trees.

For this post, I decided to talk about how to clean acorns and preserve them. By the way, if you have been following Cloches & Lavender you may be aware of my passion for acorns and adding pieces of nature to our fall decor.

Why Begin Collecting These Now?

1. Get Crafting: Don’t wait any longer! Gather those acorns, follow the simple steps outlined here, and start creating beautiful fall crafts that will add a touch of nature to your home. Unleash your creativity and bring your fall decor ideas to life!
2. Share Your Creations: We’d love to see how you’ve used your preserved acorns in your fall decor.
3. Explore Nature for Crafts: If you enjoy incorporating natural elements into your crafts and decor, why stop at acorns? Explore other nature-inspired crafting ideas. From pinecones to leaves, and sticks from your own yard, these are free!

Why Should I Clean And Preserve Acorns Before Using Them In Crafts Projects?

Cleaning and preserving acorns not only ensures they are free from dirt and insects but also helps maintain their appearance and integrity over time. By following these steps, you can create beautiful and long-lasting fall decor.

How Do I Know If An Acorn Is Suitable For Crafting?

Choose acorns that are free from cracks, insect holes, or significant blemishes. Acorns without caps can also be used, adding natural and imperfect beauty to your craft projects and fall decor.

Can I Collect Green Acorns For Craft Projects?

Green acorns can be collected too. The green color means they’re not ripe and sometimes they stay green and other times will turn brown after baking. As you will see in the pictures below a few stayed green while others turned brown and that’s what I love about nature.

If you find acorns missing caps grab them too, these are perfect for an acorn craft.

They are still part of nature and nothing is perfect when collecting pieces of nature. No acorn is the same right? It’s the same when collecting pine cones or even sticks from your yard.

I also don’t recommend using a scooping action because you will gather more dirt and debris than acorns.

Which Trees Have Acorns?

Trees That Have Acorns

Acorns are the fruit of oak trees and are mostly in the northern hemisphere.

There are hundreds of species of oak trees around the world, with 90 different oak trees native to the US. Acorns are easy to harvest. They store well and are relatively simple to preserve.

The Difference Between White Oak Acorns vs. Red Oak Acorns

Difference Between Red Oaks And White Oaks

Acorns from White Oak trees are going to be longer in length but smaller in diameter. And Red Oak trees produce acorns with the exact opposite, shorter in length but more prominent in diameter.

So, this explains why the acorns my husband brought home while on his morning run are the widest and biggest acorns I have seen since I have become a “nut gatherer”. Did I just say that for real?

However, it’s also common that every 3rd year to be a heavier crop so this answers a question I didn’t realize.

Cleaning and preserving acorns not only ensures they are free from dirt and insects but also helps maintain their appearance and integrity over time. By following these steps, you can create beautiful and long-lasting fall decor.

Weather Affects A Mast Year For Acorns

Reasons For Thin Long and Wider Acorns From Oak Trees

Some species of oak trees have large acorns, the reason that acorns come in different sizes is not clear.

A mild winter can often mean more acorns since white and red oak trees are able to produce more of them when they start creating seeds in the spring. But a harsh winter or a springtime freeze can lead to very little acorn production, and sometimes none at all.

This is the one thing I have never been aware of and it makes sense. Because we are a high elevation in NJ I now understand why some years are better than others and why the oak trees dropped more acorns. Having a spring freeze is a common issue where we live and affects the acorn crop.

Now I can’t imagine not having an acorn crop in our home because oak trees are everywhere. My bestie and I love to search for acorns. And the great thing is we both have the same affection for nature and oak trees.

Master The Art Of Cleaning and Preserving Acorns For Fall Decor: Crafts

• Timing Matters: Collect acorns at the beginning of fall for the best quality and quantity for your crafting projects.
• Imperfections Add Character: Don’t hesitate to gather acorns with missing caps or slight blemishes. They contribute to the natural charm of your fall decor.
• Gentle Collection: Avoid scooping acorns to prevent dirt accumulation; prioritize acorns without cracks or insect holes.
• Pre-Soak: Soak acorns in warm, soapy water to remove bugs and dirt, ensuring clean acorns for your craft projects.
• Baking: Bake acorns at 200°F with the oven slightly ajar to eliminate moisture and insects, leaving them perfectly preserved and ready for crafting.
• Sealing: Apply a matte acrylic sealer to protect your acorns while maintaining their appearance.
• Storage: Keep your preserved acorns safe in an airtight container in a dark, dry space, ensuring their longevity for future projects and fall decor.
• Creative Uses: Let your imagination run wild with acorns. Use them for wreaths, centerpieces, garlands, and more to infuse your fall decor with natural beauty.
• Beyond Acorns: Explore other nature-inspired crafting ideas, from pine cones to leaves, and discover endless possibilities to enhance your seasonal decor.
• Embrace the Season: Infuse your home with the warmth of fall by incorporating these preserved acorns into your decor, celebrating the beauty of nature and the changing seasons.

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Best Time To Collect Acorns

Best Time to Collect These From Oak Trees

The best time to collect a lot of acorns from oak trees is as soon as fall strikes. This is usually the beginning of acorn season. This will be the best chance for the best amount of acorns for collecting.

If these are still attached to the branches with leaves remove the acorns carefully. Grab the acorn at the base of the top of the branch and twist gently. DON’T pull and yank the acorn off because the cap may come off. If this happens save them, and add a dot of hot glue for an acorn craft or add it back on top.

It’s recommended to collect acorns on a dry day and when there aren’t wet leaves to slip on. This has happened while searching for real acorns a few times.

Also, try to make sure not to gather any with small holes or cracks in the acorns themselves. This is a sign of insects and no one wants these little buggers around. Next, remove any access shell fragments and grab loose acorn caps because once these are clean and preserved, a dab of hot glue holds them together.

You should try to gather prime acorns that are free from cracks and in optimal condition.

I also don’t recommend using a scooping action because you will gather more dirt and debris than acorns.

Where Can You Find Acorns?

If you don’t have oak trees in your own yard, ask family, or friends even visit parks to grab a bunch of acorns from the ground. Remember if you are visiting a park ask permission. I’m sure they will be fine with harvesting loose acorns but asking first is respectful.

Good Starting Point To Clean Acorns

Collecting And Cleaning Process

After collecting these one of the best practices is to soak acorns in warm soapy water. This helps to clean dirt off the acorns and any signs of little bugs.

Tip: I have collected acorns still attached to small branches from oak trees. Of course, I remove the leaves before soaking them.

Tip: Bake these too, as you’ll see in the pictures is another gift from nature and perfect for fall decor.

Fill your kitchen sink, utility sink, a large bowl, or large buckets with dish detergent and warm water.

I have also heard of using a half cup of a half cup of vinegar but this is the most popular method and easy way to clean acorns. We have done this process many times and it works like a charm.

As an example of my love for nature and natural elements here’s a project that’s easy and you may enjoy.

Supplies Needed:

• dish soap
• warm water
• sink or large bucket or large bowl
• paper towel or towel
• clear acrylic sealer

Preserving The Acorns By Baking

Preserve The Acorns By Baking

Equipment Needed:

• cookie sheet or baking pan
• oven set at 200 degrees f

Next step, begin the drying process and lay the acorns in a single layer. Bake them for 2-3 hours leaving the oven door open ajar. Doing this removes all the moisture and does a great job of getting rid of any signs of insects.

Again, many suggest lining the baking sheet with foil because of sap. In all the years we have been preserving acorns we have never had an issue.

Some turn the acorns over halfway through the baking process however I don’t and again they are perfectly brown every time. In fact, I have an overabundance of acorns and use them in different ways for seasonal decor.

After the timer goes off remove the acorns and allow them to cool.

The last step, use a clear acrylic sealer to protect these for many years to come. I generally use a matte sealer to keep these looking as natural as possible.

How to Store Acorns Every Year

Storing A Bunch Of Acorns Year After Year

The best way to store an acorn collection is to use plastic bags or an airtight plastic container. It’s particularly important to make sure to store these in a dark dry space.

Personally, I store my huge collection of acorns from our white oak trees in a canvas bag in our basement which is a cool, dry, dark place. They look as beautiful as they did 20 years ago.

Conclusion: Enjoying Nature

Incorporating the beauty of nature into your fall decor through the use of acorns can bring a touch of rustic elegance.

Following these simple steps to clean and preserve acorns from oak trees, ensures that the natural charm and essence of these tiny treasures are perfect to use for a long time. As the cool autumn breeze ushers in a season of warmth and coziness, preserved acorns will serve as a constant reminder that nature shares with us. So, whether you’re crafting, decorating, or simply savoring the sights and sounds of fall, preserved acorns are symbols of the beauty that surrounds us.

Happy crafting and decorating!

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