Here are other uses of eggshells aside from nutritional purposes:
1. Compost Your Eggshells
It perhaps goes without saying that eggshells can make a valuable addition to your DIY compost. The calcium and other minerals break down into the soil, providing rich nutrients for your future garden. Crushing the shells beforehand hastens their decomposition.
2. Boil Eggshells in Your Coffee
The alkaline nature of the eggshells balances out the coffee’s acidity, resulting in a smoother, mellower flavor without coffee’s bitterness. Simply rinse the uncooked shells with hot water, then crush them by hand and add them to the grounds during the brewing process. One egg will be enough for a small pot of four servings. Use two eggs for the more standard six- to 12-serving pots.
3. Add Eggshells to Your Dish Soap
Crushed shells can give your standard dish soap extra abrasiveness without all the toxins found in chemical-based soaps. Simply place a pinch or two of the crushed shells in with the soap as you wash. The eggshells are especially good at cleaning hard-to-reach spots like the narrow necks of thermoses and vases. Fill the vase halfway with hot water, add the eggshell-soap combination, cover and shake vigorously.
4. Create Your Own Eggshell Face Mask
Crush a clean eggshell with a mortar and pestle. Whisk the crushed eggshell into the egg white, and then apply the mixture to your face, avoiding the eyes. Let the mask dry before removing. The proteins in the egg whites and shells combine to tighten and rejuvenate your skin thanks to the skin-healing benefits of egg collagen.
5. Sprinkle Eggshells Directly into Your Garden Soil
Certain plants like tomatoes, eggplant and peppers love the extra calcium eggshells provide. Simply crush the shells and work them into the soil around the base of the plants every two weeks. Rose bushes and apple trees are other calcium lovers.
6. Use Eggshells to Deter Garden Pests
Soft-bodied pests like slugs, snails and cutworms will avoid crawling over the jagged edges of the shells. This same effect will dissuade any cats who want to you use your garden as a litter box. And the smell of the eggs will deter any browsing deer.
7. Start Seedlings in Eggshells
Carefully cracked eggshells can provide a perfect environment for small vegetable and herb seedlings. All you have to do is rinse the shells, place them back in the carton and fill them with good-quality potting soil. Once you have deposited your seeds into the shells, place the carton on a sunny windowsill and mist the seedlings every couple of days.
After the seedlings have emerged and developed their first mature leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into a larger pot or into your garden. Break off the bottom portion of the eggshell and plant the whole seedling, shell and all.
8. Add Finely Crushed Eggshells to Dog or Bird Food
The same calcium boost that humans derive from eggshells can benefit our furry and feathered friends. Eggshell consumption can result in healthier teeth, nails and coat in dogs, and the extra calcium can help birds lay stronger eggs.
