When cooking with eggs, it’s easy to overlook the potential of the eggshells. After all, most people simply discard them in the trash without any second thought.

However, eggshells have numerous useful benefits that make them worth holding onto and utilizing in a variety of ways. Here are just a few reasons why you shouldn’t throw away eggshells.

1. They Are Great for Your Garden

If you’re an avid gardener, then you’ll be pleased to know that eggshells can do wonders for your plants. Crushed eggshells can be mixed with your potting soil to add extra nutrients to your plants.

Eggshells contain a significant amount of calcium, which helps promote stronger, healthier, and greener plants. Calcium also helps prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers, and other produce.

2. They Can Be Used for Pest Control

Crushed eggshells can also be used as a natural and effective pesticide. The sharp edges of the crushed eggshells can deter pests such as slugs, snails, and even rodents.

Simply sprinkle the crushed eggshells around your garden or near plants that are attracting pests, and this can help repel them over time.

3. They Make Great Compost

Another great use for eggshells is in composting. Eggshells break down quickly and easily, and they add essential nutrients such as calcium and magnesium to your compost.

Adding eggshells to your compost can help enrich your soil and promote better plant growth. Plus, it’s an easy and simple way to make use of eggshells that would otherwise go to waste.

4. They Can Be Used for Cleaning

Believe it or not, eggshells can also be used for cleaning. The abrasive texture of the eggshells can be helpful when it comes to scrubbing pots, pans, and other surfaces.

Simply grind up your eggshells into a fine powder, mix with a bit of water or dish soap, and use as a scrubbing paste. This can be an effective and eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleaning products.

5. They Make Great Art Projects

If you’re feeling creative, then eggshells can be a great medium to work with in art projects. You can dye eggshells with food coloring or paint them with acrylic paint to create colorful decorations or ornaments.

They can also be used to create mosaics or to decorate other objects. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a fun way to make use of something that would otherwise be thrown away.

6. They Can Be Used for Skin Care

Eggshells are also great for your skin. The calcium in eggshells can help promote healthy skin by aiding in skin cell turnover and hydration.

Crushed eggshells can be mixed with your favorite facial cleanser to create a gentle exfoliant that can help remove dead skin cells and promote brighter, smoother skin. Eggshell powder can also be added to face masks for additional skin benefits.

7. They Can Be Used in Cooking

Finally, eggshells can also be used in cooking. While most people simply toss them in the trash, eggshells can actually be cleaned and made into a variety of dishes. For example, eggshell powder can be added to bread dough to create a calcium-rich loaf.

Eggshells can also be boiled with vinegar or lemon juice to create a tasty and nutritious broth.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many reasons why you shouldn’t throw away eggshells. From gardening and pest control to cleaning and cooking, eggshells have a wide range of useful applications that make them worth holding onto and exploring.

Next time you crack open an egg, be sure to save the shells and give them a second life.