The Other Uses of Eggshells
>> Sunday, May 08, 2022
Rather than throwing away eggshells, put them to use around the house!
It's good to take a second look at items we might otherwise discard.
To soften the brew, add eggshells to the coffee grounds.
The alkaline eggshells help to neutralize the acidity of the coffee, which softens its flavor. In campfire coffee, the eggshells also helped to keep the coffee grounds down. Eggshells help to make your coffee taste great all around. Add crushed, fresh eggshells to the coffee grounds and brew as usual.
Use eggshells to fertilize the garden
Rinse the eggshells and remove the clear inner membrane before storing the dry eggshells in a large, secure container. Using a steel or wooden spoon, mash them into fine bits. When the soil softens in the spring, sprinkle and mix ground eggshells into it for a great source of calcium carbonate for the soil. They also help to reduce soil acidity.
Use eggshells as a non-toxic abrasive cleaner
First, gather the eggshells from about a dozen eggs. When you're ready to start making the cleaner, wash the eggshells and arrange them on a baking sheet. Dry the shells in the sun or in the oven on low heat for a few minutes. Blend the eggshells into a fine paste with a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, or high-speed blender. 1 cup of powdered shell should suffice. 3 cups baking soda and 3 cups eggshell powder in a mason jar Simply combine the powder and vinegar to clean (or water). Use this formula to clean baked-on food from pots and pans, gunk from shower doors, toilet bowl rings, and grout.
Eggshell as pot
When cracking an egg, cut the top of the shell and pour the egg out of the shell to preserve the majority of the length of the eggshell. Before storing, gently rinse. Remember to save the egg carton as well—this is where your herb starter plants will grow. Once the shells have dried, poke a hole in the bottom of each with a sharp needle or awl (for water drainage). Fill each divot in the carton with an eggshell. Fill each nearly all the way with soil. Sow seeds into soil according to package directions. Spray the soil with a spray bottle and place the carton in direct sunlight. Water frequently and keep an eye out for sprouts. When it's time to transplant into a pot or garden,
Eggshell as a coffee flask cleaner
If you're a frequent coffee drinker, you're probably familiar with the dreaded brown film that forms on the inside of your favorite thermal flask. The patina cannot be removed no matter how hard you scrub. This is where eggshells come in handy. A third of the way through, add a mixture of hot water and crushed eggshells. Close the flask and shake vigorously for a few minutes. The abrasive mixture should aid in stain removal.
Eggshells as food for the birds
With this great tip from Birds and Blooms, you can also be a fantastic neighbor to your feathered friends. When you have enough eggshells to cover a baking tray, bake them at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until dry. They will be brittle enough to break easily. Spread the mixture in a feeder or on the ground for birds to eat. It's a great source of calcium for the birds, especially females during the spring, when they're laying eggs.
Eggshell as garden pest repellant
Eggshells are not only beneficial to your garden plants, but they can also repel pests. Scatter crushed eggshells around your soil. Slugs, snails, and even deer are put off by this natural deterrent.
