Don’t Toss Those Eggshells! Here’s Why You Should Keep Them

If you’re in the habit of cracking eggs and discarding the shells, you’re missing out on one of nature’s most versatile, nutrient-packed resources.

Eggshells have numerous practical uses, from boosting your garden’s health to supporting your own wellness. Instead of tossing those shells in the trash, here are some compelling reasons to keep them and ideas on how to put them to good use.

1. Eggshells in the Garden: Nature’s Mineral Boost

Eggshells are a fantastic natural fertilizer. Rich in calcium carbonate, they help improve soil quality and promote strong plant cell development. Here’s how to use them in your garden:

• Soil Amendment: Crush eggshells into fine pieces or grind them into a powder. Sprinkle them in garden beds or mix them directly into the soil to increase calcium content, which helps balance soil acidity and supports root health.
• Prevent Blossom End Rot: This condition, common in tomatoes, peppers, and squash, is often due to a calcium deficiency. Adding eggshells around these plants can help prevent it, offering a natural calcium boost.
• Deterring Pests: Eggshells can act as a barrier to keep soft-bodied pests, like slugs and snails, away from your plants. Sprinkle crushed eggshells around plants to deter these unwanted garden guests.

2. Houseplant Care: A Gentle Nutrient Supplement

Just like outdoor plants, your indoor plants can benefit from the calcium in eggshells. For a simple, nutrient-rich boost:

• Eggshell Water: Place a few crushed eggshells in a jar of water and let it sit for several days. Use this “eggshell tea” to water your plants, providing them with an extra dose of calcium and other trace minerals that support leaf and root health.
• Mix in Potting Soil: Mix finely crushed eggshells into the potting soil when repotting your plants. Over time, they will release minerals that improve soil quality, helping your houseplants thrive.

3. DIY Household Cleaners

Eggshells are abrasive, making them perfect for use as a gentle scrubber in homemade cleaning solutions:

• Natural Scouring Powder: Combine crushed eggshells with a bit of baking soda and water to make a paste. This mixture works well for scrubbing tough grime on pots, pans, and countertops without scratching surfaces.
• Cleaning Bottles: Have a bottle or vase that’s hard to reach and clean inside? Drop a few crushed eggshells in with some warm, soapy water, then shake vigorously. The abrasive action of the eggshells will help dislodge stubborn residues.

4. Health and Wellness: Surprising Benefits of Eggshells

Yes, eggshells are actually edible (if prepared properly) and contain 90% calcium carbonate, similar to the calcium found in our bones and teeth. Here are some ways eggshells can contribute to personal wellness:

• Homemade Calcium Supplement: After thoroughly washing and boiling eggshells to sanitize them, bake them in the oven for 10 minutes at a low temperature, then grind them into a fine powder. You can add this calcium powder to smoothies, oatmeal, or even baked goods for a calcium boost.
• Natural Toothpaste: Calcium is an essential mineral for strong, healthy teeth. Mixing eggshell powder with coconut oil and a few drops of peppermint oil creates a DIY toothpaste that may help support enamel strength.

Note: Always consult with a healthcare provider before adding eggshell powder to your diet, especially if you have specific health concerns or conditions.

5. Creative and Crafty Uses

Eggshells also have a place in the world of arts and crafts! With a little creativity, they can be turned into beautiful, eco-friendly decorations:

• Eggshell Mosaics: Crushed eggshells can be painted and arranged into mosaic designs on canvas, flower pots, picture frames, and other surfaces for unique artwork.
• Decorative Planters: Use the deeper halves of eggshells as tiny planters. They’re perfect for starting seedlings and can be planted directly into the soil once your seeds sprout. As the eggshell decomposes, it provides nutrients to the growing plant.

6. Composting Powerhouse

If you’re already composting, eggshells are a wonderful addition to your compost bin. Since they’re high in calcium and other minerals, they add diversity to your compost mix and help balance out high-nitrogen materials like vegetable scraps. Just crush the shells slightly before adding them to speed up their decomposition.

7. Feed for Backyard Chickens

If you keep backyard chickens, your hens can benefit from recycled eggshells as a natural calcium supplement. Simply crush the shells finely and mix them with their regular feed. This calcium boost is essential for egg production, as it helps hens produce strong, healthy eggshells of their own.

How to Prepare Eggshells for Use

Before using eggshells for any of the purposes mentioned above, it’s essential to clean them properly:

1. Rinse the Shells: Remove any egg white or yolk residue.
2. Boil or Bake: Boil the shells for 5 minutes to sanitize them, or bake them in the oven at 200°F (about 93°C) for 10 minutes.
3. Grind or Crush: Use a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder to crush or grind the shells as needed for your chosen use.

Conclusion

Eggshells are far from useless — they’re a valuable, sustainable resource with numerous practical applications in gardening, cleaning, health, and crafts. By keeping and reusing eggshells, you’re reducing waste and harnessing one of nature’s richest sources of calcium. So, next time you crack an egg, don’t toss the shell; instead, put it to good use around your home and garden.