Don’t Throw Those Eggshells in the Compost Just Yet!
Instead of tossing your eggshells after breakfast, put them to work.
These Eggshell Hacks Will Save You Time, Money and Effort
Maybe it’s just good old-fashioned thriftiness, but it falls on us all to take a second look at things we might have otherwise thrown away. With this in mind, we’ve collected a few handy household uses for that staple of trashcans everywhere: the eggshell.
Add eggshells to coffee grounds to mellow the brew
If your partner complains about the coffee being too bitter—but you still have a pound of coffee in the pantry—use this tried-and-true hack. Mix in a crumbled eggshell (that has been thoroughly rinsed in vinegar and then water, and dried) to the coffee grounds tomorrow morning. The eggshells, rich in alkaline calcium carbonate, help neutralize some of the coffee’s acidity.
Don’t these brilliant uses for coffee grounds.
Instead of throwing away eggshells, use them to fertilize the garden
How does your garden grow? What if we told you it could grow even better with some help from your breakfast leavings?
Rinse and remove the clear inner membrane of eggshells, then store the dry eggshells in a large, secure container. (We promise it won’t stink.) Mash them down to fine bits with a steel or wooden spoon. Once the spring temperatures soften the soil, you can sprinkle and mix the ground eggshells into your garden for a great source of calcium carbonate for the soil. An added bonus—they reduce soil acidity.
Flexing your green thumb for the first time? Here’s what you should know before starting a garden.
Use eggshells as a non-toxic abrasive cleaner
You vowed to steer clear of powdered household and industrial cleaners, but what are you going to use in lieu of those harsh chemicals? We spotted a non-toxic and gentle-on-your-nose cleaner on RealFoodRN.com.
Firstly, collect the eggshells of about a dozen eggs. Once you’re ready to prepare the cleaner, wash the eggshells and line them up on a baking sheet. Dry the shells outside in the sun or on low heat in the oven for a few minutes. Use a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder or high-speed blender to blend the eggshells into a fine paste. You should have about 1 cup of powdered shell. In a mason jar, add 3 cups baking soda to the eggshell powder. To clean, just mix the powder with vinegar (or water). Use this formula on pots and pans (with baked-on food), shower doors (with months of gunk), toilet bowl rings and grout.
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Use eggshells to start an herb garden
The next time you’re cracking an egg, cut the top of the shell and pour the egg out of the shell to preserve most of the length of the eggshell. Gently rinse before storing. Remember to save the egg carton, too—this is where your herb starter plants will grow. Once the shells have dried, use a sharp needle or awl to poke a hole in the bottom of each (for water drainage). Place an eggshell in each carton divot. Fill each most of the way with soil. Place seeds into soil, according to seed-sowing instructions. Mist soil with spray bottle and keep carton in full sun. Water regularly and keep an eye out for sprouts. Once it’s time to transfer into a pot or garden, you can transplant as-is.
Here’s more expert advice on how to grow a vegetable garden—anywhere!
Use eggshells to separate egg whites from yolks
Don’t be fooled by the gadgets you see at the store. The best way to separate egg whites from yolks is to use a good old-fashioned eggshell. Crack an egg in half and slowly pour the white into a bowl. Once the white starts tugging at the yolk, use the jagged side of the eggshell to separate the white.
Check out these brilliant uses for leftover egg whites.
Use eggshells to clean a reusable coffee flask
If you’re an avid coffee drinker, you’re probably no stranger to the dreaded brown film that forms on the inside of your favourite thermal flask. No matter how hard you scrub, there’s no diminishing the patina. That’s where eggshells come in handy. Add a combination of hot water and crushed eggshells about a third of the way. Close the flask and shake well for a few minutes. The abrasive mixture should help break down stains.
These cleaning hacks help take the hassle out of housekeeping.
Feed eggshells to the birds
You can also be an incredible neighbour to your feathered friends with this great tip from Birds and Blooms. When you have enough eggshells to cover a baking tray, bake them at around 250 degrees Fahrenheit until dry. They will be brittle enough to crush easily. Spread the mixture in a feeder or on the ground for birds to munch on. It’s a great source of calcium for the birds—especially for females during the spring, which is prime time for laying eggs.
Find out which plants attract butterflies and birds to your garden.
Use eggshells to deter garden pests
Eggshells work wonders for your garden plants, but they can also repel pests, too. Gather crushed eggshells and scatter them around your soil. This works as a natural deterrent for slugs, snails and even deer.
Discover more gardening tips that’ll save you time, money and effort.
