Anne-Charlotte PasseraLately, my kids and my dogs have been craving eggs. As you can image, my little compost on my kitchen counter is constantly running on full. Hence, I needed to find a solution and see if there was something else I could do with egg shells.
Egg shells are often seen as nothing more than a waste product, but they actually have a variety of uses beyond the kitchen. From gardening to crafting, here are 7 surprising ways to put those shells to good use.
Create a DIY seed holder
After cracking eggs to make pancakes or French toast, why not give them a second life with the help of your child? It is a fun way to pass time on a late Sunday morning as a family.
Create these funny heads using egg shells and watch their hair grow.
What you’ll need
- 3 large egg shells
- 3 plastic bottle caps
- Pens
- Cotton
- Lentils
The steps
- Remove the yolk of the three eggs and rince.
- Once dry, draw a face with a pen.
- Place cotton at the bottom of each egg shell and gently wet it.
- Pour 1 tsp of lentils onto the cotton.
- Place each shell on an upside down bottle cap.
- Place them on a window sill with sunlight.
- Water them once in a while (the cotton needs to remain humid) and watch their hair grow!
Use as a natural fertilizer for plants.
Did you know that crushed egg shells can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants?
The shells are rich in calcium, which is essential for plant growth and development.
The steps:
- Crush the shells into small pieces.
- Sprinkle them around the base of your plants.
As the shells break down, they will release calcium into the soil, promoting healthy growth. This is a great way to recycle your egg shells and give your plants a nutrient boost at the same time.
Create a calcium supplement for pets.
Did you know that egg shells can also be used as a calcium supplement for pets?
Simply grind up the clean and dry shells into a fine powder and mix it into your pet’s food. To do so, place the shells in a plastic bag. Roll and crush the shells with a rolling pin or a bottle to a fine powder.
Benefits
Egg shells are especially beneficial for pets that require extra calcium in their diet, such as pregnant or nursing animals. Plus, it’s a natural and affordable way to provide your furry friends with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Also, this can help with a bad case of diarrhea.
Use egg shells as a natural abrasive for cleaning pots and pans.
Egg shells can be a great natural alternative to harsh chemical cleaners when it comes to cleaning pots and pans.
- Use crushed egg shells to use as an abrasive to scrub away stubborn stains and grime.
- Mix the crushed shells with a little bit of soapy water .
- Use a sponge or cloth dipped in the water + egg shell solution to scrub your pots and pans clean.
Not only is this method effective, but it’s also eco-friendly and won’t harm your cookware. This could come in handy during your next camping trip.
Make a homemade face mask for glowing skin.
Egg shells can be used to make a homemade face mask for glowing skin? Since crushed egg shells are rich in calcium and other minerals , they can help nourish and brighten your skin.
Simply mix the crushed shells with some honey and apply the mixture to your face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water. Your skin will feel soft, smooth, and radiant!
I tried it and it works! Albeit I did not crush the egg shells to a complete grind and should have, but I lacked proper equipment to do so. I used egg shells from one egg and 1 tbsp of honey. Applying it with my hands was a little sticky. To rinse off, I used a washcloth to cover the drain so that the egg shells did not clog it. I rinsed off what I could by hand and the rest with a washcloth.
Also, to reduces wrinkles, add powdered down egg shells to ice cube trays mixed with water and brush on face.
Want more ideas for natural cosmetics and skin care? READ ME.
Strengthen your nails
Add powdered egg shells to your favourite nail polish, shake and apply. This little cocktail will strengthen your nails.
Create a DIY bird feeder.
Egg shells can also be used to create a DIY bird feeder.
- Simply clean and dry the shells, then fill them with birdseed.
- Use a needle and thread to create a loop at the top of the shell, and
- hang it from a tree branch or hook.
Not only is this a fun and easy craft project, but it also provides a natural and eco-friendly way to feed the birds in your backyard.
Create Christmas ornaments
Decorate your Christmas tree in an original way.
Follow the same steps as the bird feeder. Before hanging them, let your inner Picasso, Monet or Martha Stewart take over and decorate the shells with your creativity. Use pens, glitter and which ever else you want to use. You can use natural ingredients for colour such as coffee, chocolate, turmeric, beets, etc.
I found this recipe that you can try to dye your eggs with natural ingredients. Have fun!
