7 Unconventional Uses For Eggshells

From soothing your skin to removing coffee stains, here are seven surprising uses for eggshells.

Easter weekend is just around the corner and although we may not be going out to any Easter brunches this year, we can still get into the holiday spirit by cooking up some delicious eggs at home. Whether you prefer them scrambled or sunny side up, make sure you don’t throw away the shells. You’ll be surprised at just how many uses for eggshells there are.

Sassy Tip: If the eggshells are to be consumed, it is important to sterilise them well beforehand to get rid of any bacteria. Wash them under running water to remove any egg residue or membrane inside the shell. Then put them in a pot with water and boil the shells for 10 minutes. Set them aside on a tea towel until completely dry, or bake them in an oven at 65 degrees Celsius for a further 10 minutes.

Read more: Nutritionist-Approved Pantry & Freezer Essentials (With 5 Easy Recipes)

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Give Your Plants A Boost
Exfoliate And Tighten Your Skin
Soothe Skin Irritations
Clean In The Kitchen
Brighten Your Teeth
Remove Coffee And Tea Stains
Use As A Calcium Supplement

1. Use Eggshells To Give Your Plants A Boost

It’s fairly common knowledge that eggshells can be added to compost to give it a boost of calcium, but composting can be a bit tricky to do in a Hong Kong flat. Instead, you can crush the eggshells and mix them into the soil of your potted plants. You can also plant seedlings or herb trimmings in whole eggshells filled with soil. These can later be placed into larger pots of soil, shell and all (the shells will break down over time and feed your plant nutrients). Aside from mixing shells into your soil, try leaving some to soak in your watering can for the next time you water your plants.

2. Use Eggshells To Exfoliate And Tighten Your Skin

If you feel like your skin is in desperate need of some love but you’re all out of rejuvinating sheet masks, we’ve got a solution for you. All you need is one egg. First, crack your egg open and separate the yolk from the white (you will be using the egg white later for the mask). Then rinse your egg shells under running water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Once they are dry you can grind them with a mortar and pestle, or pop them into a ziplock bag and crush them into a fine dust with the bottom of a small, heavy pot.

Next, you’ll need to lightly whip your egg white in a small bowl until it becomes a little frothy. Add in the crushed eggshells and apply the mixture to your face, avoiding your eyes. Leave the mask on until it dries. You should feel a slight tightening sensation from the egg white. Before washing the mask off with water, gently rub the eggshell mask on your face with your fingers in circular motions to buff out any dry skin.

Read more: These Dietitian-Approved Local Eats Have Ingredients For Healthier Skin

3. Use Eggshells To Soothe Skin Irritations

Whenever your skin is feeling itchy or irritated, you can use eggshells to help. Simply add a couple of eggshells to a jar of apple cider vinegar. After leaving the shells to sit and dissolve in the vinegar for a couple of days, you can dab the solution directly onto the irritated area of your skin with a cotton pad. This should help soothe your skin. You can also apply the solution on insect bites.

4. Use Eggshells For Cleaning In The Kitchen

Have you ever struggled to clean your reusable water bottle or that tall, slender flower vase? Even with a pipe cleaner it can be quite challenging, but the job can be made a lot easier with a bit of eggshell. Simply mix crushed eggshells with some soapy water and swish it around your bottle or vase. The eggshells will be able to get right to the bottoms of your tall containers and give them a good scrub. If you have any charred grills or crusty pans, you can add a bit of crushed eggshells to those too, along with a squeeze of washing up liquid to get them looking shiny and new. The eggshells will act as a gentle, non-toxic abrasive as you scrub your pots and pans with a sponge. As a bonus, the shells will also give your drain pipes a good clean as they travel through. Don’t worry, they will eventually break down over time so there’ll be no clogging.

Read more: The Top Gadgets For Your Hong Kong Kitchen

5. Use Eggshells To Brighten Your Teeth

Eggshells also work great as a natural abrasive for your teeth. You can make your own homemade toothpaste by combining a quarter cup of finely ground eggshells, two tablespoons of coconut oil and a tablespoon of baking soda. You can also add in a few drops of peppermint essential oil if you have some on hand. This mixture will polish off plaque, brighten your teeth (baking soda has natural whitening properties) and keep you minty fresh!

6. Use Eggshells To Remove Coffee And Tea Stains

Believe it or not, eggshells can even help you get rid of those impossible-to-clean coffee and tea stains at the bottom of your mug. All you have to do is put some ground eggshells into your stained mug along with some warm water and let this sit overnight. The next day, you should find that the eggshells have absorbed most, if not all, of the stain!

7. Use Eggshells As A Calcium Supplement

Bet your never thought of eating your eggshells! But it’s actually an excellent way to get some extra calcium into your diet. Because you are consuming the shells, remember to sterilise them properly beforehand. You also want to make sure they are completely dry before you blitz them to a fine powder. A blender will work best for this, and you’ll want to put in at least 10 eggshells (they can also be ground manually with a mortar and pestle). Once you’re happy with your eggshell powder (the finer the better!), you can add a bit to your daily green smoothie, chicken stock or bone broth. If you have a furry friend at home, you can also add a bit of ground eggshell to their food (always check with your vet beforehand!).