Eight egg-celent ways you can put eggshells to good use

Eggshells are something that many of us simply throw into the bin without a second thought, figuring that they’re simply rubbish. While they’re probably not going to be great to eat, there are many ways eggshells can be used after you’ve used the egg, cutting back on waste and benefiting other areas of your household while you’re at it. 

Instead of throwing them in the bin, next time you use eggs give these ideas a try. 

1. Clean your frypan

Crush the shells into small pieces, and add them to your frypan or grill along with some hot water, and then scour away. The shell pieces will help remove the stubborn, baked on crust.

2. Sharpen your blender blades

Freeze your eggshells for approximately 30 minuets, then add to your blender and cover with water. Switch it on and blend away, and your blades will be nice and sharp again. You can then add the mixture to your compost!

3. Garden fertiliser

Use a mortar and pestle to finely crush your egg shells, and then sprinkle into your soil. You can store this mixture in an airtight container.

4. Make chalk

Make sidewalk chalk out of your eggshells by crushing or blending them into a fine powder, and adding flower and water until you reach a mixture with the consistency of wet sand. Roll it into a small log and wrap in paper towel. Allow to dry for two or three days before unwrapping. You could add some food colouring to the wet mixture to make different colours. The grandkids will love it!

5. Feed them to your chickens

It sounds a bit strange, but if you have chickens, you can actually feed your eggshells back to them. They are an excellent source of calcium and will actually improve the condition of their eggs.

6. Brew them with your coffee

Another one that sounds rather odd, but brewing your coffee with eggshells can lower the acidity and give you a smoother tasting cup of Joe.

It’s important to boil your eggshells first, as they can carry salmonella bacteria. Simply crush them and add them to your plunger or percolator and brew as usual.

7. Plant seedlings in them

Rise out your eggshells and use them to start out your seedlings. They are nutrient rich and excellent for plants, and you can simply plant them into the ground like an eco-friendly, biodegradable container.

8. Compost them

Throw your eggshells into your compost bin for a much needed calcium boost.

Do you have any other ways to re-use eggshells? Tell us in the comments!