Eggshells can be incredibly versatile and useful in various ways around the home and garden. Here are 15 brilliant uses for eggshells:
In the Garden:
- Fertilizer: Crushed eggshells are an excellent source of calcium carbonate, which is essential for plant growth. Sprinkle crushed eggshells around your garden to enrich the soil.
- Seed Starters: Create biodegradable seed starters by planting seeds in halved eggshells filled with potting soil. Once the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, you can plant them directly into the soil, as the eggshell will decompose.
- Slug and Snail Deterrent: Crushed eggshells can deter slugs and snails. Sprinkle a barrier of crushed shells around vulnerable plants to keep these pests away.
- Compost: Eggshells can be added to your compost bin. They decompose slowly and provide valuable calcium to the compost.
- Soil Aeration: Crushed eggshells can help improve soil aeration when mixed into the soil. This can benefit plants with shallow roots.
- Bird Feed: Crushed eggshells are a great source of calcium for birds. Clean and crush the shells, then scatter them in your garden or set them out on a feeder.
- Pest Control: Some pests, like slugs and cutworms, are repelled by the sharp edges of crushed eggshells. Sprinkle them around susceptible plants to deter these pests.
In the Home:
- Houseplant Fertilizer: Crushed eggshells can also be used as a natural fertilizer for houseplants. Simply sprinkle them on top of the soil.
- Coffee Cleaner: Use crushed eggshells to clean coffee and tea stains from mugs and teapots. The abrasive texture of the shells helps scrub away stains.
- Garbage Disposal Cleaner: Drop a few eggshells into your garbage disposal and run it with water. The shells will help clean the blades and remove odors.
- DIY Calcium Supplement: Clean, dry, and crush eggshells into a fine powder. You can then add a small amount of this powder to your food or smoothies as a natural calcium supplement.
- Seedling Pots: Similar to garden seed starters, you can use halved eggshells as small pots for starting seedlings indoors.
- Art and Crafts: Eggshells can be used for various art and craft projects, such as mosaic designs, ornaments, and jewelry.
- Stain Remover: Ground eggshells can be used as a gentle abrasive for removing stains from clothing and fabric. Mix them with a bit of water to create a paste and rub it onto the stain before laundering.
- Pet Health: Crushed eggshells can be added to your pet’s food to provide an additional source of calcium, which can be beneficial for their bones and teeth.
Remember to rinse eggshells thoroughly and let them dry before using them in any of these applications to avoid contamination. Additionally, it’s a good practice to crush them finely to maximize their effectiveness in various tasks.
