Most of these tips require crushed eggshells. The shells can be crushed by hand, put in a sturdy plastic bag and hammered or crushed in the food processor. Baking the eggshells dries them out and eliminates the (small) risk of salmonella poisoning.
Using Eggshells to Unclog Drains
Leaving crushed eggshells in the sink trap helps to keep drains open. The calcium carbonate leaches through the water every time the sink is run.
Making Eggshell Coffee
A tablespoon of finely-crushed eggshell popped in with the coffee grounds makes coffee taste smoother and less acidic. Tip the eggshells and spent grounds onto the compost pile or garden; they both add valuable nutrients to the soil.
Using Eggshells in Stock and Vinegar
“Low calcium intake is recognized as a major public health problem in the United States, with more than 75 percent of Americans not meeting the current calcium recommendations”, says the Calcium Information Site. Especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, calcium can be difficult to take in quantity. Up your calcium levels painlessly by adding it to stock and vinegar in the form of eggshells.
Vinegar can be given a calcium boost by adding the crushed shells and leaving for a few weeks to dissolve. When making vegetable, chicken or beef stock, simply toss a few shells in with the meat or vegetables and leave to simmer.
Eggshell Uses In the Garden
Composters like to add crushed eggshells to the compost to add calcium to the mix. Other ways to enrich your garden include sprinkling the crushed shells like a light layer of mulch over the garden beds, or putting a handful in the holes when you plant seedlings. This last method is particularly effective for plants which suffer from blossom end rot, a condition which causes tomatoes and other veggies to develop black patches on one end. Blossom end rot is caused by insufficient calcium or poor absorption, so a ready supply at root level is a good preventive.
If you prefer, soak the crushed eggshells in water for a few days to make a 'calcium tea' to feed your plants. The water used for boiling eggs is also great for the garden.
Eggshells can even be used as mini seedling pots. Stand the broken eggshell halves in their egg carton for convenience, fill with potting mix and plant the seeds. Once the seedling is big enough to transplant, gently crush the bottom of the eggshell to allow the roots to escape and plant the whole thing in the garden. Egg cartons are not as suitable for seedling planters, as they tend to dry out very quickly; however, cardboard cartons make a wonderful addition to compost!
Feeding Eggshells to Chickens
It may seem cannibalistic, but chickens need calcium to make strong eggshells, and their own shells are a cheaper source than purchasing oyster grit. Recycle your eggshells by keeping them in a container for chickens to peck at as they need. It is important that the shells are pulverised enough that they are not recognisable as eggs, otherwise you may inadvertantly encourage egg-eating behavior.
Using Eggshells to Clean Thermoses, Jugs and Flasks
Drop a handful of crushed eggshells in with some water, add a drop of detergent if required and swirl. The eggshells help scour the dirty dishes.
Making Eggshell Chalk
Making chalk out of eggshells is simple and requires no special ingredients.
In short, there is no excuse for tossing eggshells in the bin – appreciate their varied uses!
See also Using Up Leftover Egg Yolks and Using Up Leftover Egg Whites.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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