Egg shells are surprisingly versatile and can be used for a variety of household tasks. Cooking with eggs? Don’t throw away those shells just yet! They can be a great natural cleaner and can help tackle a number of issues around the house.
Natural Cleaner
Egg shells can be ground into a fine powder and used as a natural, non-abrasive cleaner. For delicate and hard-to-reach areas, mix the powdered egg shells with lemon juice, vinegar, or dish soap and a little water. The acid in the lemon juice or vinegar, or the detergent in the dish soap, will help loosen grime, while the egg shell powder gently scrubs away the dirt, leaving your delicate items sparkling clean.
You can also use egg shells to brighten your laundry. Simply rinse and crush some egg shells, place them in a cloth bag, and toss it in with your laundry. The shells will absorb stains and keep your whites bright.
Garden Helper
Egg shells are a gardener’s best friend. They can be used as organic fertilizer by burying rinsed egg shells directly into the soil, where they will slowly decompose and provide nutrients to your plants. Alternatively, egg shells can be composted with vegetable scraps and the resulting liquid can be used as a natural plant food.
Crush egg shells and scatter them around your plants to deter snails and slugs. The sharp edges of the shells will deter these pests from munching on your precious plants.
Egg shells also make great seed starters. Simply rinse and fill an egg shell with a little soil and a seed. Water it and once the seedling emerges, plant the entire egg shell into the ground. The shell will decompose and provide extra nutrients to the growing plant.
Health Benefits
Egg shells are primarily made of calcium carbonate and contain minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, and phosphorus. These minerals offer a host of health benefits. To utilize this, rinse and boil egg shells for about 10 minutes to sterilize them. Then, dry them in an oven at 90-100°C and grind them into a fine powder. This powder can be added to food, providing an extra boost of calcium – just one teaspoon provides a good amount of your daily calcium needs.
Creative Reuse
Egg shells can be used for a variety of crafts, from decorations to mini plant pots and lanterns. Get creative and reduce waste by turning these shells into works of art. To ensure hygiene, always rinse and sterilize egg shells by boiling or oven-drying before use.
