Many Incredible Uses for Eggshells

Many incredible uses for eggshells all around the home and garden. You may even ask yourself, what are some uses for eggshells? Whole eggs are one of the most widely used food ingredients in daily life and so can be the eggshells.

Many people will only use the white part of the egg and discard the egg yolk. While others will use just egg yolks for certain recipes.  But most people will use both the whites and yolks.

What do all of these people have in common? They usually discard the eggshells no matter what part they use of the egg. People disregard the notion to use eggshells.

Actually, eggshells have many benefits that can be applied in our lives. Continue to read some eggshell hacks I have outlined for you!

What are Eggshells Made Out of?

Eggshells are made of calcium carbonate. Calcium is one of the important minerals that we need so that the body always functions properly. Apart from calcium, eggshells also contain other minerals including strontium, fluoride, magnesium, selenium, for protein. All these nutrients play a role in maintaining bone health.

Many Uses for Eggshells Video Tutorial

Daily Calcium Requirements

One eggshell contains around 40 percent calcium. Just half of an eggshell can meet the daily calcium requirement of an adult, which is 1,000 mg per day. Various substances contained in the eggshell can certainly be beneficial to the human body as you will read in this article.

The calcium content in eggshells is absorbed faster by the body than calcium supplements on the market. This is evidenced by research in mice and pigs. In addition to maintaining the strength of bones and teeth, calcium is also needed to help the heart pump blood throughout the body and make the heartbeat more regular. Calcium also acts as a natural sedative that calms the nervous system to reduce pain, while stopping bleeding when we are injured.

Reducing the Risk of Osteoporosis with Calcium

Osteoporosis is a bone loss, which can increase the risk of fractures. In our family, Osteoporosis is prevalent as far back as 3 generations in all women. Osteoporosis is commonly seen in the elderly, but the beginning of its development can begin at a young age. This bone loss is generally caused by a lack of calcium intake in the daily diet.

Along with increasing age, the level of natural calcium also began to decline. A study conducted on postmenopausal women found that eggshell powder can strengthen bones that have osteoporosis.

In the body, eggshells work to bind vitamin D and magnesium to increase bone mineral density. The same study also reported that eggshell powder might be more effective in reducing the risk of osteoporosis than calcium supplements.

Maintaining Joint Health with Eggshell Nutrition

If you peek inside the eggshell, you will find a thin transparent membrane lining the wall. You can also see it more clearly when peeling boiled eggs. This membrane usually attaches to the inside of the eggshell.

Some studies show that vitamin supplements containing eggshell membranes can maintain the health of your joints because the eggshell membrane is made of collagen, chondroitin sulfate (a constituent of cartilage tissue), glucosamine, and other nutrients.

Collagen itself is reported to be beneficial for reducing joint pain due to osteoarthritis and rheumatism. However, further research is still needed to find out whether eggshell supplements are truly effective in this regard.

Eggshells in Water Kefir (pronounced key-fur) 

You may use a 1/2 sterilized eggshell during the brewing process per one liter of water. This will nourish the water kefir grains. Using a large eggshell makes it easier to remove later. 

How to Prepare Eggshells for Drying

If you are interested in the benefits of eggshells, you can process them yourself at home. First of all, you have to wash the shell until it’s completely clean. After that, you can boil it for several minutes. Washing and boiling are done to remove dirt (including lead, aluminum, cadmium, and mercury) and kill bacteria that attach to the shells. Try to keep the membrane intact. The egg membrane is the thin clear white layer between the shell and the egg white. Membranes contain hyaluronan which is a healing nutrient.

Directions for Cleaning Eggshells

• Place **eggshells (organic is best) in a bowl
• Add the hottest water along with a swish of veggie soap stick (shop below) that I run the soap stick under the water for 5 seconds
• Use a fork to swish it all around in the bowl
• Rinse well
• Fill a pot with the hottest water, place it on the stove
• Boil fully submerged eggshells for at least 5 minutes (to kill any harmful bacteria)

**If the eggshells are from hard-boiled eggs, I still follow the process above.

How Long to Dry Eggshells for Powder?

Next is to dry the eggshells completely. I have a large dehydrator that I use when I have a lot of shells to dry at once. You may also dry eggshells in the oven for 30 minutes at 200 degrees. Do not brown the shells. Check your oven, you may only need 15 minutes.

Grinding Eggshells into a Powder for Human Consumption

If using an eggshell powder for consumption you will need to mash, grind, or blend the eggshells until it becomes a powder. Make sure to blend it until it’s really smooth and into a fine powder.

The edges of eggshells tend to be sharp and can hurt your throat or esophagus if swallowed whole. You can add this eggshell powder to the food or mix it with your drink. You will need to digest the eggshells but in a very fine powder form. 

My usual personal daily intake is appropriately 3/4 of a teaspoon of eggshell powder. Sometimes, I divide it into 3 meals. Each meal gets sprinkled with 1/4 teaspoon. I may skip a few days, it’s not approximate.

I have tried adding it to water and drinking it and will admit, I am not a fan of it. Since I do not take vitamins that contain calcium, I need to ensure to get enough calcium naturally.

Uses for Eggshells in the Garden

If you are a beginner garden or even an advanced one, knowing how to naturally use eggshells in the garden is the first step. Course and fine eggshell powder can be used in the garden. There are many gardening hacks and eggshells are a few of them. Fertilizer, composting, and even bug pest control can all be affected by using eggshells! 

Are you new to gardening? If so, I have information that will help you and that can be found Gardening Tips for Beginners.

How to Use Eggshells for Garden Plants

Try using crushed eggshell powder into a ring around the base of the cucumber plant to deter slugs. This works well for lettuce and potatoes also. Don’t forget to work some fine powder into the soil before planting the cucumbers if using nursery plants. 

Extra eggshells can be tossed directly into the compost bin. Check out my blog Making Compost Naturally Into Garden Soil for more information on the benefits of that.

Deter Slugs, Cutworms, and Snails with Eggshells

When you have a problem in the house because there are lots of insects, we usually spray it with an insect repellent. But if you don’t want to use toxic insect repellents, you might try to remove insects with eggshells.

It can be done by smoothing the eggshell into a coarse powder then sprinkling it on small insects or where they crawl. This eggshell powder can kill various pests and insects that sometimes make the occupants of the house disturbed.

I have another blog post on Diatomaceous Earth for Fleas and Other Uses for Natural Living to keep pests out and animals out of your garden!

Uses for Eggshells as a Fertilizer in the Garden

Plants certainly need fertilizer to remain fertile and free of plant pests. Eggshells that have been washed, dried, and powdered following the method in this article can also be useful as a substitute for chemical fertilizers for plants.

Eggshells have a rich mineral content that can fertilize the soil. A small amount of potassium, sodium, and calcium is just enough for plants. Use eggshell powder as a supplement, not as a full-all-on fertilizer, use it in conjunction with other natural fertilizers. 

Work the eggshell powder into the dirt and or potting soil before planting plants. For peppers and tomatoes be sure to add a layer of crushed eggshells to the bottom of the planting hole. Slowly, when the eggshells start to compose down, they will release a steady source of calcium which definitely will aid in preventing the dreaded blossom end rot!

Have you ever thought about making a natural fertilizer such as manure tea? I have the full video, Manure Tea Fertilizer Recipe for Gardens, Seedlings, Roses, and More. I also have a blog on Fish Emulsion Fertilizer, How to Make and Use. Be sure to check that out!

Eggshells for Chickens’ Health

Chicken eggshells that have been mashed into powder can also be a food ingredient for poultry. By mixing the eggshell powder with poultry food ingredients for chicken or duck can add nutrients to these birds. In addition, it can reduce egg waste and reduce costs for food for this poultry.

It is very important, never to give an unwashed eggshell to chickens. They should never associate their eggs with the eggshells you are giving them as theirs. They may find the smell familiar and start eating their own eggs. 

Eggshell Powder for Dogs

I give my fur babies powdered eggshells all the time to enrich their diet. Since the Great Pyrenees and Chihuahua are two largely different size breeds, their amounts of eggshell powder should be adjusted accordingly to their weight and age. A great article I read that discusses this, is from Dogaware.com, called Crash Course on Calcium.

Since I feed mostly homemade dog food to my dogs, I do not have to worry over them having too much from a commercial feed. I have my sterilized egg powder in a confectionary shaker that I sprinkle on their food.

Since I have been doing this for many years, I actually eye-ball the amount. But you may need to research the amount before you get familiar with your fur-babies amount. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian’s advice.

Indoor and Outdoor Birds Benefit from Eggshells

I give free rein to my two indoor birds, along with grit and charcoal. The African Grey and my Sun Conure go in spurts on how much they need for themselves. They decide what meets their fancy for the day.

I ensure to keep it washed, cleaned, and dry. I change it out often to ensure it is fresh. If they are going to take a bath, I will remove it for the day to ensure that no added moisture will get in the powder.

For the outdoors birds, I also sprinkle it in their birdseed. During the summer, I keep a little feeder under the eaves for the outdoor birds as well.

Cleaning with Eggshells

Yes, you can clean with eggshell powder!  I usually mix a 1/2 cup of sterilized, dried eggshell powder with 1 cup of baking soda for cleaning in a sprinkle container. If I use it for cleaning, I admit, I like good smells. I sprinkle a few drops of my pure essential oil in the mixture before storing, ensure it’s absorbed and dried before storing.

My two favorite essential oils are Citronella and Lavender. When the mixture gets emptied, I usually alternate the scent for a nice change.

• Sinks: I have old porcelain sinks and they definitely benefit from a good scrub using this mixture. For an added boost, after sprinkling the mixture, use a spray bottle with vinegar and hit the mixture, and watch the bubble magic!
• Toilets: This powder is also great for cleaning toilets. Sprinkle in the toilet, spray with a dash of vinegar, let sit 10 minutes while cleaning the rest of the bathroom. Finish up with scrubbing the bowl and using a toothbrush that has an extra mixture sprinkled on it to get the little water holes extra clean under the rim.
• Floor rugs and carpets: Again, I love the essential oils in this mixture and then sprinkled on my rugs, makes it smell refreshing when I vacuum.

Using Eggshells as an Alternative to Bleach

Stains in clothing can be removed by using eggshell powder.  The method is quite easy, namely by putting the eggshell powder on the article of clothing that has stubborn stains, and then waiting for 20 minutes. After that, wash the clothes. Clothing that has stubborn stains, repeat the procedure.

I am constantly researching ways to discover more used in eggshells. Some inventors have invented some extraordinary creations such as paper, soap, toothpaste, etc., using eggshells.

Eggshells for Clogged Drains

Drains that are clogged will certainly cause serious problems if not addressed immediately. The way to deal with blocked drains is usually by opening a channel and then inserting snakes into the canal so that the clog can be released. This does not work if the clog is far down the pipe. Another way is to use lye or a noxious drain cleaner.

Many reasons sinks can become clogged in the home. For instance, in the bathroom, soap scum, and residue builds up and clogs the pipes. Hair is another leading cause of clogged pipes in the bathroom.

In the kitchen, there could be many reasons such as grease, oil, and particles of food. This also accounts for the garbage disposal.

However, overcoming blocked drains can be done using eggshell powder. The method is quite easy, namely by smoothing the eggshell into a powder, then pouring it down the clogged channel. I will usually add 1/4 baking soda also. The egg powder in the clogged drains should be left to work for 30 minutes, then adding as close to boiling water as your pipes will allow.

Storing Eggshell Powder

The trick here is to keep the eggshell powder nice and dry. Store food-grade consumption powder in a mason jar. If you have a Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer (shop below) that removes the air of the mason jar is even better.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to maintain a cool and dry environment for the powder. I usually have mine used up within 2 months and make new batches.

If the eggshell powder does not smell fresh, get rid of it. It still can be used for your plants outside. I have only had mine smell “off” once, I decided to use it for cleaning and it was fine to use.

In Conclusion

Eggshells can be used for so many things in and around the home. Even for people and fur babies. I use eggshells widely in the garden for pest control and adding nutrients to the soil.

If you want to know what the FDA states about eggs, read their post What You Need to Know About Egg Safety. It is best to understand and research before venturing on your own that something may affect your health or your animal’s life. This article is something I can personally attest to and it has worked for me.

Leave a comment, we would love to hear how you use eggshells or if you will give it a try after reading this post.

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