Eggshells are often seen as nothing more than a byproduct of a healthy breakfast or baking session. However, these little wonders can be much more than just a throwaway item. Eggshells have been used for centuries in various cultures for their many benefits, and yet they still remain one of the most underrated household items.
Believe it or not, there are countless ways to use eggshells around your home beyond just composting them. From cleaning and polishing surfaces to adding nutrients to soil, eggshells have an array of practical uses. But that’s not all – eggshells also offer beauty and health benefits such as being a natural exfoliant or even acting as a homemade calcium supplement.
Intrigued? Keep reading to learn about some surprising ways that eggshells can be utilized in your everyday life.
Household Uses
Clean and polish surfaces with eggshell powder
You might be surprised to learn that eggshell powder can be used to clean and polish surfaces in your home. To make eggshell powder, simply rinse out empty eggshells and allow them to dry completely.
Once dry, grind them up into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a blender. To use the eggshell powder as a cleaning agent, sprinkle it on surfaces like countertops, sinks, or stovetops.
Dampen a cloth or sponge with water and rub the surface in circular motions until it’s shiny and clean. The abrasive texture of the eggshells helps to remove dirt and grime without scratching any delicate surfaces.
Use crushed eggshells as a natural abrasive for pots and pans
If you’re tired of using harsh chemicals on your kitchen pots and pans, try using crushed eggshells instead! Simply save your empty shells, rinse them out thoroughly, then crush them into small pieces. Once you have your crushed shells ready, use them as an abrasive scrubber for dirty pots and pans.
The rough texture of the shells helps to remove stubborn food particles without scratching the surface of your cookware. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re using an all-natural cleaning solution that won’t harm the environment.
Add crushed eggshells to compost or garden soil for added nutrients
Did you know that adding crushed eggshells to your compost pile or garden soil can provide much-needed nutrients for your plants? Eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate which is an essential nutrient for plant growth. Before adding the shells to your compost pile or garden soil, make sure they are cleaned thoroughly so there are no remnants of raw eggs left behind.
You can crush them up into small pieces so they break down more quickly, or leave them whole to act as a slow-release fertilizer. Your plants will thank you for the added boost of nutrients!
Beauty and Health Uses
Eggshells as Exfoliants
When it comes to skin care, you don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive products with fancy ingredients. In fact, eggshells can be used as a natural exfoliant that will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. To use eggshells as an exfoliant, simply grind them up into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle.
Mix the powder with honey or olive oil to make a paste and gently massage it onto your face or body in circular motions. Rinse off with warm water for beautiful, glowing skin.
Eggshell Calcium Water
Did you know that eggshells are one of the best natural sources of calcium? Instead of throwing away your eggshells, boil them in water for 5-10 minutes to sterilize them.
Once they’re cooled down, crush them into small pieces and add them to your drinking water for an added boost of calcium. This is especially great for people who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
Eggshell Paste for Wounds
Applying an eggshell paste to minor cuts and scrapes can help promote healing thanks to the high concentration of calcium in the shells. To make the paste, sterilize your eggshells by boiling them in water for 5-10 minutes.
Once they’re cooled down, grind them into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. Mix the powder with some honey or coconut oil until you have a thick paste.
Apply the paste onto your wound and cover it with gauze overnight for best results. The next morning, remove the gauze and rinse the area with warm water before reapplying another layer if needed.
Incorporating eggshells into your beauty and health routine is not only natural, but also cost-effective. From exfoliating scrubs to calcium-infused water and healing remedies, eggshells have a variety of uses that can benefit your overall well-being.
Culinary Uses
Adding Calcium to Smoothies or Baked Goods
Have you ever considered adding eggshells to your smoothies or baked goods? It may sound strange, but eggshells are an excellent source of calcium, and incorporating them into your diet is a great way to ensure that you’re consuming enough of this essential mineral. To prepare the eggshells for consumption, start by rinsing them thoroughly and then boiling them in water for about five minutes.
Once the shells have cooled, grind them up into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or food processor. You can then add this powder to smoothies, baked goods, or even oatmeal for an extra calcium boost without altering the flavor.
Making Homemade Calcium Supplements
If you’re looking for a natural and inexpensive way to supplement your calcium intake, making your own calcium supplements from eggshells is an excellent option. To prepare the eggshells, start by sterilizing them by boiling them in water for about ten minutes.
Next, bake them in the oven at 350°F for ten minutes to thoroughly dry them out. Grind the shells into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or food processor and store it in an airtight container.
You can take this homemade supplement by mixing half a teaspoon of the powder with water or juice once per day. Not only is this method cost-effective and natural, but it’s also an eco-friendly way to repurpose something that would otherwise go to waste!
Fun Facts about Eggshells
Eggshells may seem like a boring, everyday item, but they are actually quite fascinating! Here are some fun facts about eggshells that you might not know:
The color of an eggshell is determined by the breed of chicken that laid it
Have you ever wondered why some eggs have white shells and others have brown shells? Well, the color of an eggshell actually depends on the breed of chicken that laid it.
Typically, breeds with white feathers and earlobes will lay eggs with white shells, while breeds with red feathers and earlobes will lay eggs with brown or speckled shells. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, so don’t be surprised if you come across a chicken that lays blue or green eggs!
Eggshell membranes can be used as a natural bandage for burns and blisters
Did you know that the thin membrane that lines the inside of an eggshell can be used as a natural bandage for burns and blisters? The membrane contains proteins that have anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe pain and promote healing. To use eggshell membranes as a bandage, carefully peel them off the inside of an eggshell (without breaking them) and rinse them under cold water.
Then place them over the affected area like a regular bandage. The membranes will adhere to your skin when they dry out.
Pretty cool, huh? These fun facts show us just how versatile eggshells can be!
From adding extra nutrients to our gardens to using their membranes as natural bandages, there’s no denying that these little shells pack quite a punch. So next time you crack open an egg for breakfast or baking purposes, remember all the great things you can do with those leftover shells.
Conclusion
Eggshells are incredibly versatile and useful, making them a worthy investment to save rather than throw away. They can be used for household cleaning, beauty and health treatments, culinary uses, and even as a natural supplement. By saving eggshells instead of tossing them in the trash, you are not only reducing waste but also making use of an item that would otherwise go to waste.
Saving eggshells may seem like a small step towards sustainability, but every little bit counts. By incorporating simple practices such as this into our daily lives, we can make a huge impact on the environment. Instead of relying solely on chemical-laden products or store-bought supplements, we can turn to natural alternatives that are just as effective.
The many uses of eggshells are just the beginning – there is no limit to what we can create when we start thinking outside the box! Whether it’s creating art from eggshell pieces or finding new ways to incorporate them into our everyday lives, there is always room for innovation and creativity. So next time you crack open an egg, don’t toss that shell – instead, let your imagination run wild with all the possibilities that come with this humble household item.
