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DIY Things to Do With Eggshells
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AUGUST 16, 2012 BY JILL WINGER
To the majority of people, eggshells are simply trash.
But to homesteader or natural living enthusiast, eggshells are a surprisingly useful resource.
I personally get a big kick out of finding uses for things people normally throw away. So, I’ve put together a list of 9Things You Can Do with Eggshells around your own homestead.
(Holy Moly! My list started out with a measly 9 ideas, but after all of my thrify readers left their ideas in thecomment section, it has grown to 30+! I’ve edited the list with these new additions- keep them coming folks!)
**It is very important to only use eggshells from healthy, natural chickens if you or your animals are going to
ingest the shells. Eggs from factory farms are not only less nutritious, but can also carry harmful pathogens. I
personally have no problem eating raw eggs from my own free-range hens, but I wouldn’t do so with eggs from
the store.**
1. Feed them to your chickens.Boost your flock’s calcium intake by crushing the shells and feeding them back to your hens. My girls much prefer
crushed egg shells over the oyster shell supplement from the feed store. I wrote a post a while back that has all
the details of collecting, crushing, and feeding the shells.
2. Use the shell’s membrane as an all-natural bandage.I just discovered this idea, so I have yet to try it, but what a cool concept! The membrane of the shell is reported to
help promote healing in cuts and scratches. This post should be able to answer most of your questions about
using membranes as a first-aid tool.
3. Boil the shells in your coffee.My first thought when I read this idea was ”Why on earth would you do that?” But apparently, people have been
boiling eggshells in their coffe for centuries to help clarify the grounds and reduce bitterness. I have yet to give
this a try myself, but it might be worth a try. Here is a Boiled Eggshell Coffee tutorial.
4. Sprinkle the shells around your garden to deter pests.Soft-bodied critters like slugs or snails don’t like crawling over sharp pieces of shell.
I'm Jill: follower of Jesus &modern-day homesteader. I'ma Generation Y-er with apeculiar passion for raw milk,cooking from scratch, rustystuff, and farm animals.LEARN MORE--->
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5. Give your tomatoes a calcium boost.Blossom-end rot is a common tomato problem, but I recently learned that it is actually caused by a calciumdeficiency in the plant. Experienced gardeners often place eggshells in the bottom of the hole when
transplanting their tomato plants to help combat this problem. I’m definitely trying this next year!
6. Eat them.Yeah, I know. First I told you to eat your weeds, and now I’m saying to eat eggshells… Hey, I never claimed to benormal.
But yes, many folks actually do eat eggshells for their awesome amounts of calcium. I’ve never actually tried it,
but I know that several of my readers have. This post will give you all the info you need to make your own
calcium-rich eggshell powder.
7. Use them to start seedlings.If homemade paper pots aren’t your style, give some of your smaller seedlings a start in rinsed-out shells. This
post from Apartment Therapy will give you all the info and photos you need to get you started.
8. Toss them in the compost pile.Add calcium to your compost by adding shells to your pile or tumbler.
9. Sow directly into the soil.If none of the previous idea sound appealing and you don’t have a compost pile, then you can simply turn
crushed shells directly into your garden patch. It’s still better than sending them to the garbage.
10. Potting Soil Addition: Used coffee grounds and egg shells are wonderful in potted plants. I use a 1:4 ratio.
(From Tala)
11. Blade Sharpening: Keep them in the freezer and use to clean and sharpen blender blades by adding water.
Then pour the mixture into your compost bin. (From Greenie and Ceridwyn)
12. Canine Remedy: I save mine and let them dry out, when I have a good size amount I crush them, then use a
coffee grinder and make them into a powder. If one of my dogs get diarrhea, I just sprinkle a couple teaspoons of
the powder on their food for a day and the diarrhea goes away. (From Terri)
13. Calcium Pills: I save my eggshells in a large bowl, then I steam them to sanitize them and let them dry. Then I
grind them down (I use a vitamix but I think any blender would do if you crush them a little first, or just do it in a
coffee grinder) into a fine powder and spoon them into 00 gelatin capsules for homemade calcium pills. (FromMari)
14. Mineral supplement: I sometimes soak egg shells in lemon water for a few weeks in the fridge. Then I add a
tiny bit to my shakes to get extra minerals. (From Jill)
15. Tooth Remineralizing: Natural News.com has an article about using comfrey root & fresh egg shell (organic
& pasture raised) for re-mineralizing your teeth. Not sure about this particular method, but it would make sense
due to the healing properties of the comfrey AND the minerals in the egg shell. (From Jennifer)
16. Sidewalk chalk: 5-8 egg shells (finely ground), 1 tsp hot water, 1 tsp flour, food coloring optional…mix and
pack into toilet tissue rolls and let dry. (From Linda)
17. First Aid Treatment: Fresh egg membranes applied, then allowed to dry, will “draw” minor infections: splinter,
pimple, boil, etc. (From Anne)
18. Making Water Kefir: You can also use egg shell to nourish your water kefir grains. You just add 1/4 of a
clean egg shell to your water kefir while it’s brewing. We’ve done this instead of buying mineral drops and it
seems to work great. (From Jenna, Sherry, and Tiffani)
19. Christmas Ornaments: When I found a large cache of slightly-flawed plastic suncatcher ornaments to paint
cheap at the local flea market a few years ago, I snatched a big bunch of them up. I mixed regular acrylic colors
with Elmer’s glue and various “texturizing” elements to pack those suncatchers with. I tried everything from small
seeds and spices, to sifted sand, and my favorite turned out to be crushed egg shells. They were no longer
transparent, but the flaws were covered, and they make very nice Christmas tree ornaments, wall hangings,
mobiles, etc. (From Sweetp)
20. Make Calcium Citrate: Make your own calcium citrate using only fresh farm raised, preferably organic, egg
shells. Rinse residual egg out of the shells and air dry. Crush the shell and add 1t. lemon juice per egg shell and
cover. The lemon juice will dissolve the shell and there you have it… calcium citrate. (From Mary Anne)
21. Calcium-Rich Vinegar: I was taught by my herbalist teacher to make a calcium rich vinegar by adding
calcium rich herbs (nettles, dock, etc) and one clean high quality eggshell to apple cider vinegar. It needs to
infuse for at least six weeks, then be decanted. But the calcium from the shell and the plants goes into the
vinegar and can be used as regular vinegar would be in salad dressing, over cooked greens, etc. (From Sara)
22. Pan Scrubber: Crushed egg shells work great to scrub pans that have food stuck in them. Yes they will break
up, but they still do the job! (From Rose)
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23. Ice Cream Addition (?): I was told companies put egg shell powder in cheap ice cream to add extra calcium.
I imagine you could do this when making homemade ice cream as well. (From Brenda)
24. Comestic Booster: Make it into a powder and add a little bit to your nail polish to strengthen nails. Take that
same powder and put it into ice cube trays with water and rub it on your face– it helps reduce the look of wrinkles.
Put the powder in your lotion– it softens your hands. (From Amy)
25. Add to Broth/Stocks: For extra calcium and minerals. (From Becky and Tiffani) (Get my homemadestock/broth tutorial here.)
26. Arts and Crafts: Use to make mosaics or mixed-media art projects. (From Carol and Janet)
27. House Plant Booster: “My Grandmother kept eggshells covered with water in a mason jar which she used to
water her African violets. She had the most magnificent plants imaginable!” (From Cynthia)
28. Wild Bird Treat: You can also feed them to the birds. They’re high in calcium and are great for birds in the
spring when they are laying eggs– just make sure to sterilize them. Bake them in the oven for 20 minutes at 250 F
and crush them. (From Susanne)
29. Laundry Whitener: To help your whites not to turn greyish, put a handful of clean and broken down eggshells
and 2 slices of lemon in a little cheesecloth bag with your clothes in the washer. It will prevent the soap deposit
that turns the white clothes grey. (From Emilie)
30. Garbage Disposal Cleaner: Toss a few shells down your disposal to help freshen things up. (From Carol)(Okay– since originally posting this, I’ve had several folks say this is a bad idea and that it will clog your drain– soproceed with caution…)
What do you do with eggshells? Share in the comments and I’ll add your ideas to this post!
How to Feed Eggshells to Chickens
What are Those Spots in my Farm-Fresh Eggs?
Naturally Disinfecting the Chicken Coop
The Chicken Hospital (and How I used Essential Oils on my Hen)
Eggs: To Wash or Not to Wash?
Review: Ask the Meatman Butchering DVDs
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FILED UNDER: GARDENING, HOMESTEAD LIFE, RAISING FARM ANIMALS 190 COMMENTS
Émilie says:
August 16, 2012 at 10:24 am
Hi, here’s another really usefull trick you can do with egg shells: Whiten you clothes! To help your whites not
to turn greyish just put a handfull of clean and broken down eggshells and 2 slices of lemon in a little
cheesecloth bag with your clothes in the washer, It will prevent the soap deposit that turns the whites clothes
grey. ( instead of spending on thing like oxyclean!!)
Reply
Jill says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:54 am
I’ve never, ever heard of this Emilie! Can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Hanneke says:
August 16, 2012 at 10:34 am
So interesting, did not know you could eat them.
And there is more!
Curious? Take a look at my blogpost.
http://de-gulle-aarde.blogspot.nl/2012/03/hergebruik-van-de-eierschaal.html
Reply
bcnu147 says:
July 12, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Many Health web sites state that most Americans consume too much calcium and it is detrimental.
Reply
Becky Webb says:
August 16, 2012 at 10:37 am
You can also put them in your meat stock!
Reply
candy tutt says:
April 19, 2013 at 1:39 pm
LOL I thought for a minute this said ‘MEAT SOCK” …and I’m = “what the hell?”
Reply
David J Cottrell says:
September 5, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Hi Becky. If egg shells are lightly crushed, they can be put into any stock being made. They help to clarify
the liquid. I put all of my vegetable peels, left over pieces from cleaning, bones, and shells into the liquid.
Discard all after making the stock by putting on the compost heap or fed to hens, pigs, etc. Another “old
timers” tip, dry the shell in the oven, crush them, but nor very fine, and put into home made wine after it has
fermented and is clarifying. They filter the residue from the wine and settle on the bottom of the bottle. Just
be careful when removing the wine to other bottles so that the deposits do not get transferred. Suggest a
slow decant using a filter. Just to go a step further, as Cynthia says, feed them to birds, don’t feed birds
scraps or nuts, etc. because they have plenty to eat However, I add crushed shells to a mixture of seeds
and fat when making bird feeds for the winter time.
‘nuf sed. plamuk aka travellingchef
Reply
Susanne Mackenzie says:
August 16, 2012 at 10:55 am
You can also feed them to the birds..they’re high in calcium and are great for birds in the spring when they are
laying eggs, just make sure to sterilize them. bake them in the oven for 20 mins at 250 F and crush them
Reply
Cynthia Day Getchell says:
August 16, 2012 at 10:59 am
Way back, my Grandmother kept eggshells covered with water in a mason jar which she used to water her
African violets. She had the most magnificent plants imaginable.!
I keep crushed egg shells in a jar which I add to wild bird seed to act as grit as well as provide calcium
practicularly for use in winter.
Also when I feed egg to my dogs they get the shell too, especially beneficial for puppies.
AND egg membranes are used in joint supplements….I didnot know about placing it on cuts which I am about
to do…thanks for postoing.
Reply
Jill says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:53 am
Interesting Cynthia– the “old timers” really had stuff figured out, didn’t they.
Reply
Tiffani Beckman says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:02 am
Stick the egg shells in fermenting beverages, the acid will leach calcium out of the shell and into the drink.
See Sandor Katz’s sweet potato fly recipe for an example. http://www.crockandjar.com/sweet-potato-fly/
We use ours primarily in the stock pot with bones and veggies. Gotta love mineral rich broth!!
Reply
Jill says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:52 am
Ah yes- I forgot about that! I sometimes put eggshells in my water kefir as well!
Reply
Catherine Whalen says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:04 am
You should never feed your old egg shells to your chickens. You need to give them oyster shell calcium. If
you don’t then eventually you will end up with eggs with very thin shells. Egg shells do not have enough
calcium in them for the birds to get what they need. You will also be encouraging egg eating by some of the
birds. You are essentially encouraging a form of cannibalism, which will result in possible diseases and other
problems. Mad cow disease is readily spread in the factory farm setting because the animals are fed meat
byproducts instead of their natural vegan diet. So, please, please do not feed your chickens old egg shells.
Reply
Susie says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:28 am
I can’t speak to whether feeding eggshells to chicken is a good idea or not, but I did want to point out that
unlike cows, chickens are NOT vegetarians. When they scratch around they’re looking for bugs, worms,
grubs…they aren’t supposed to have only grain.
Reply
Jill says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:50 am
Yes, good point Susie!
Reply
Jill says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:50 am
People’s opinions really vary on this subject, but I choose to go ahead and do it. I also offer oyster shell to
my hens, but they far, far prefer the eggshells. It hasn’t caused mine to eat their eggs. I know some wild
birds also will eat eggshells, so I figure if they do it, it must be somewhat “natural.”
Reply
MIchelinda says:
May 25, 2013 at 5:00 pm
My husband’s family believes in something many people who raise here locally do – that you need to
bake them first. They believe that eating them fresh can cause them to develop am unhealthy interest in
the shells. Bake them for 30 minutes and they break up very easy and the chickens love them.
Explanation I found was it changed the egg shells chemically so they don’t smell like “chicken”. Never
had a chicken eat shells and then eat fresh eggs so I do this every time. Also – mentioned above was
adding them to lemon water in the fridge. We make what we call “lemon egg” – a quart jar with WHOLE
un cracked eggs gently put inside till it is full. Then a lid and fill the jar with straight lemon juice. Leave
in fridge 24 hours (you can leave longer, but the eggs start to absorb the taste and can break easy).
After 24 hours, take out the eggs EASY – the acidic lemon juice will have eaten a lot of the shell off. At
this point the eggs can be dried and used. Now you have about a cup of lemon egg in the jar. Add a
spoonful to tea or to water to get a HUGE dosage of fine calcium. You don’t taste the egg shell at all. It
tastes extremely hydrating in the summer when added to lemon water and I have been known to add a
sweetner packet to make it calcium packed lemonade!
Reply
Jill Winger says:
May 25, 2013 at 9:03 pm
This is a great tip Michelinda! Thanks for taking the time to share.
Reply
deborah says:
June 8, 2013 at 9:49 am
As a 40 + yr. homesteader I can honestly say that egg shells are perfectly fine for your chickens as long
as you crush them so they do not resemble their former self anymore. You can also add other grit since
you most likely would not have enough for a steady diet for them. The oyster shell is to help them digest
their food, the calcium and minerals are just a great bonus!
Reply
Jill Winger says:
June 8, 2013 at 2:00 pm
Yes- I agree!
Reply
Chris says:
August 16, 2012 at 2:18 pm
I definitely feed the shells back to them. I’ve done it forever, and my girls shells are not brittle or thin. They
are thick awesome eggs. They also don’t eat their own eggs.
Reply
Amy Love @ Real Food Whole Health says:
August 17, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Seems like the key might be to crush them up really well- then they don’t actually know it’s from the
eggs. I’ve heard of others giving like half shells and the chickens have then started breaking, and
eating, their eggs after that.
Reply
MissMininAZ says:
August 17, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I used to work at a zoo and we used to feed the entire egg to the ducks and geese… if that means
anything to you all.
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Interesting- did you notice that it cause the ducks/geese to want to eat their own eggs more often?
Reply
Susan says:
September 6, 2012 at 10:07 pm
I always feed the shells to my chickens. I bake them first to change the flavor and make them more brittle. I
have never used oyster shell to give my chickers extra calcium. I have never had thin or weak eggs. I think
that the chickens got on fine before somebody thought to feed them crushed up shells, but my chickens are
free range as well.
Reply
ero says:
September 22, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Your not feeding them there chicks and dogs east there placenta off puppies no need to be narrowed
minded and go all ASPCA on us my family has raised quality organic chickens this way for years. I
suppose you want me to also give my chickens antibiotics and hormones? Do done research chickens do
this naturally. Any way love all these different usages for egg shells! Awesome website by the way
Reply
Catherine Whalen says:
September 23, 2012 at 1:36 pm
I am not going all ASPCA on anyone. Too bad your grammar is as poor as your manners. My
grandfather raised chickens for over forty years without the use of hormones, antibiotics or any other
chemicals. He was a wise man and found that giving his free range flock their egg shells rather than the
oyster shells produced poor eggs over time, as well as encouraging egg eating. When one is raising
hens for their eggs, one tends not to want to encourage egg eating. Even in the best conditions one
cannot fully replicate nature. I am, of course, assuming that your aren’t raising these animals to be your
friends, but rather to provide food for you and your family – whether for their flesh or only for their eggs. I
also assume that you are trying to find the balance between maximizing the output and successful
harvest of eggs, with providing the birds with the best conditions. The chicken, which originally come
from jungle climes, may indeed eat some egg shells in the wild, but their diet is so much more varied
than what even the best so called organic farmer can provide. Do your homework.
Reply
Karen says:
October 15, 2012 at 7:45 am
Catherine, maybe you are taking this too offensively? Did you ever consider this person either is in
or may have come from a different country? This response was a tad bit harsh. Everyone evidently is
doing their homework and coming up with different conclusions. See below for others’ about egg
shell consumption.
Reply
eloisa says:
January 4, 2013 at 9:41 am
You just need to calm down i have auto correct on my phone and didn’t care to read thru what i
wrote and besides who the hell are you LIL Miss country grammar! I don’t eat my chickens and some
are no longer laying! You just are a judgmental person who wants to push your way on everyone!
This was “uses of EGGSHELLS not opinions of closed minded people who will pass judgment on
how you raise chickens or use eggs/egg shells. Get a life and understand you are the minority here.
Reply
Steve says:
April 24, 2013 at 9:20 am
What I don’t understand is why a vegan would even be interested in this thread. By your own
statement, this is cannibalism, so logically, the egg is “chicken” which is definitely not vegan. So I
assume you don’t eat eggs or chickens. I have fed eggshells to my chickens for over 40 years, and
haven’t ever had a hen start eating her own eggs because she ate eggshells. We put our eggshells
on a lower rack in the oven to dry, and crush them into fine pieces before feeding them. Never fed
oyster shell, caged birds or free range. Never had a soft or thin shell problem. (Occasionally, a new
pullet will lay a soft-shell egg, but that is normal, and not a sign of calcium deficiency.) I appreciate
your concern, but maybe what you need to do is get your own flock of chickens and do your own
research (homework).
Reply
Samantha says:
December 1, 2012 at 12:31 pm
I have been raising chickens for years since I was a kid, I am also a Owner/moderator of a Chicken group
with over 3000 members and I have never heard of this being a problem with any of my members, my own
family has always fed them the egg shells & the eggs are just as healthy as any store bought…better….. I
can’t agree on the cannibalism theory that they will turn if you feed them egg shells, they may turn for other
reason’s like living in small quarters, no place to roam, trying to get away from the hen pecking order, or
new feathers coming out mistaken it for food are just some of the theory’s on why they will eat their own.
Chickens are omnivores and want the protein & will eat anything slower, smaller & weaker then them if
they can catch it.
Reply
Karen says:
September 5, 2013 at 2:19 pm
I disagree. I feed mine egg shells all the time and don’t have a problem with cannibalism. There are times I
cook the whole eggs, mash them and give them back—not a problem. I have even given them the eggs
that I find broken in the nest.
I do dry my shells in the oven and then bag them and then step on the bag to break them up. I do not feed
oyster shells and have not had any problems. My girls roam the yard and pasture and eat anything in sight,
Reply
Amy says:
August 16, 2012 at 11:48 am
Another great use for them.. Make it into a powder and add a little bit to your nail polish to strengthen nails.
Take that same powder and put it into ice cube trays with water and rub it on your face. It helps reduce the
look of wrinkles. Another thing. Put the powder in your lotion. It softens your hands.
Reply
MissMininAZ says:
August 17, 2012 at 9:54 pm
what do you all use to grind into such fine powders?
Reply
Gayla says:
July 5, 2013 at 3:09 pm
A coffee grinder works for me.
Reply
Joy says:
August 16, 2012 at 1:53 pm
I want to confirm mixing a good handful of crushed eggshells in the planting hole for tomatoes. I’ve been
doing that for 4-5 years now. What a difference!! Roma tomatoes were especially notorious for blossom end
rot in my garden – maybe 60% loss. Once I started the eggshell treatment I’ve had to throw away only a
handful of tomatoes total over all the years.
Reply
Jill says:
August 16, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Thanks for the good report Joy! Now I really can’t wait to try this next year!
Reply
Clara says:
August 11, 2013 at 2:30 am
Just want to tell you that I use the shells also around the base of the tomato plant, about 3 or 4 inches
out, brake up but not to find just sprinkled on the top of the ground. It stops all those big green tomato
worms because the can’t craw across on the shells to get to your stems.
Reply
Jill Winger says:
August 11, 2013 at 9:48 am
Super helpful tip Clara– thanks for sharing!
Reply
Denisa says:
August 16, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Can feeding eggshells to my chickens encourage them to eat their own eggs?
Reply
Jill says:
August 16, 2012 at 3:00 pm
It depends on who you talk to– I don’t think it does, and many people agree with me. However, sometimes
people are concerned about this. The best way to make sure this doesn’t happen is to crush them up first.
Reply
Sylvie says:
September 12, 2012 at 9:05 am
If you’ve ever seen or had birds nest, have you ever noticed any shells once they hatched? I’ve had
several robin nests under my deck, and every time, there was no shell residue at all. So my guess it they
ate it, just like animals eat their placenta. It’s the natural way to get extra nutrients. So It’s unlikely for them
to eat the eggs, plus they know what’s in it.
Reply
Katie says:
August 16, 2012 at 4:07 pm
I do most of those things. I made some powder out of egg shells to make calcium but I don’t use it very often,
it’s too grity!
Reply
Ceridwyn says:
August 16, 2012 at 4:49 pm
You forgot my favourite one! If you chop up your shells with your secateurs it sharpens them ! Easy!
Something to do with the structure of the shells. then you can do what you like with them.
Reply
sherry says:
August 16, 2012 at 5:29 pm
I add a small piece to my kefir water-makes the grains multiply faster.
Reply
Patricia says:
August 16, 2012 at 6:38 pm
I put my eggshells on the compost but when it was all rotted down the eggshells were still as new. So I
stopped but I will now grind them (after sharpening the secetuers of course).
I also found my hair still there and then remembered that otherwise rotted thousand-year-old bodies still have
their hair! Whoops.
Reply
Alexia says:
August 16, 2012 at 7:14 pm
In Holland during the occupation, they ate egg shells to keep give them calcium, according to my Oma. As
children we used to eat the shells to see what it was like for her growing up.
Reply
Janet says:
August 16, 2012 at 7:35 pm
Use in art projects, mixed media. glue on then add different mediums over top of the crushed shells.
Reply
Sweetp says:
August 17, 2012 at 4:13 pm
I have always been an arts & crafts oriented person who enjoys trying new things. And I’ve never been one
to buy kits and follow their instructions mindlessly. When I found a large cache of slightly-flawed plastic
suncatcher ornaments to paint cheap at the local flea market a few years ago, I snatched a big bunch of
them up. Instead of trying to cover the flaws with the transparent acrylic paints usually supplied with them, I
chose to try something different. I mixed regular acrylic colors with Elmer’s glue and various “texturizing”
elements to pack those suncatchers with. I tried everything from small seeds and spices, to sifted sand,
and my favorite turned out to be crushed egg shells. They were no longer transparent, but the flaws were
covered, and they make very nice Christmas tree ornaments, wall hangings, mobiles, etc. This turned out
to be a very fun and fulfilling creation, and I now have an old coffee can full of washed, crushed eggshells
that I keep on hand for such experiments. And BTW, I also added beads, ribbons, and all kinds of other
little crafty touches with different mediums to really dress them up. These are small, simple, inexpensive
projects for the kids too. A cold winter evening around the table with the whole family creating Christmas
tree ornaments is a great family project that will create everlasting memories.
Try it and have fun!
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Great ideas Sweetp! Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Sweetp says:
August 20, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Thank you, it really was a fun experiment, and I still have quite a few of the loose suncatchers that I
am looking to pull out soon and maybe get my niece and her friend to try when the cold weather sets
in. I only wish I could direct you to a sourceto get some as cheaply as I got these. If anyone comes
across such a source, please send me
info
Reply
Jenny says:
August 17, 2012 at 7:15 am
I can also vouch for using the egg shells with tomatoes to help prevent blossom end rot. I always put a few in
the bottom of the hole when I plant. I did have some problems this year (with BER) but I think that was due to
the drought more than anything else. I also toss them in my compost pile. I’ve heard about using them to
clarify stock but have yet to give that a try.
Reply
Brenda says:
August 17, 2012 at 7:16 am
I was told companies put egg shell powder in cheap ice cream to add extra calcium. I imagine you could do
this when making homemade ice cream as well.
Reply
Rose says:
August 17, 2012 at 7:20 am
From an oldtimer: Crushed egg shells work great to scrub pans that have food stuck in them. Yes they will
break up but they still do the job!
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Brilliant! Never heard of this one– thanks for sharing Rose!
Reply
Sara says:
August 17, 2012 at 7:59 am
I was taught by my herbalist teacher to make a calcium rich vinegar by adding calcium rich herbs (nettles,
dock, etc) and one clean high quality eggshell to apple cider vinegar. Needs to infuse for at least six weeks,
then be decanted. But the calcium from the shell and the plants goes into the vinegar and can be used as
regular vinegar would be in salad dressing, over cooked greens (more calcium!), etc. You might need to have
someone show you how to do it properly. And the egg shell will cause the mixture to foam a bit so you should
keep the container on a plate or something while it is infusing…
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Good idea! Never thought of that one either!
Reply
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom says:
August 17, 2012 at 10:35 am
Sharing on FB! Nice post!!! As usual
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Thanks Miss Adrienne.
Reply
Mary Anne says:
August 17, 2012 at 10:38 am
Make your own calcium citrate using only fresh farm raised, preferably organic, egg shells. Rinse residual egg
out of the shells and air dry (or you could put them in a dehydrator) crush the shell and add 1t. lemon juice per
egg shell and cover. The lemon juice will dissolve the shell and there you have it… calcium citrate. I have
read of people dissolving the shell right off the whole egg then using the lemon egg in smoothies too but I
haven’t tried it.
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:50 pm
Fascinating Mary Anne! I didn’t know about that- thanks for sharing!
Reply
Tricia says:
August 17, 2012 at 11:57 am
Don’t forget, you can put them down your ink disposal and it sharpens the blades. I, too, feed them to my
chickens and what the chickens scatter from their grit bowl, the dogs munch on.
Reply
Tricia says:
August 17, 2012 at 11:57 am
*sink disposal
Reply
Jenna says:
August 17, 2012 at 6:53 pm
Great list! You can also use egg shell to nourish your water kefir grains. You just add 1/4 of a clean egg shell
to your water kefir while it’s brewing. We’ve done this instead of buying mineral drops and it seems to work
great.
Reply
Anne says:
August 17, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Fresh egg membranes applied then allowed to dry, will”draw” minor infections: splinter, pimple, boil, etc.
Reply
Linda says:
August 17, 2012 at 9:10 pm
5-8 egg shells (finely ground), 1 tsp hot water, 1 tsp flour, food coloring optional…mix and pack into toilet
tissue rolls; let dry —-> sidewalk chalk !
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Awesome idea! Prairie Baby would love that.
Reply
Jennifer says:
August 17, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Natural News dot com has an article about using comfrey root & fresh egg shell (organic & pasture raised) for
re-mineralizing your teeth. Not sure about this particular method, but it would make sense due to the healing
properties of the comfrey AND the minerals in the egg shell. I have re-mineralized 2 of my teeth & got
completely rid of a cavity (& most of my other cavity) by using Green Pastures fermented cod liver oil & raw
butter oil. It’s amazing! So there is something in the vitamin/mineral content that allows cavities to heal & the
tooth to remineralize. It just make sense. And don’t any ol’ trolls go & say it can’t be done, because it CAN. I
did it! The Healthy Home Economist’s website & Weston A. Price’s website has all the info on healing
cavities. And you can go to NN & search the articles for the “how to” on the comfrey/egg shell method. Hope
that helps!
Reply
Jill says:
August 19, 2012 at 2:48 pm
Interesting Jennifer! I’ve heard of the remineralizing technique using the FCLO, but never using comfrey
and egg shell. I’m intrigued! I have bad teeth and would love to avoid more dentist trips, so I’ll definitely be
looking into this.
Reply
MissMininAZ says:
August 17, 2012 at 10:03 pm
i’m soooo glad i kept reading ALL the posts! thanks for all the info
Reply
Chara @ Stitching Hearts Together says:
August 17, 2012 at 11:42 pm
You may have covered all of these, but I was really impressed with how the eggshells handled my slugs!!
http://www.stitchingheartstogether.net/2012/04/16/101-ways-to-use-eggs-eggshells-6/
Reply
Jill Cruz says:
August 20, 2012 at 6:36 am
This may have been mentioned but I’ll say it anyway: I sometimes soak egg shells in lemon water for a few
weeks in the fridge. Then I add a tiny bit to my shakes to get extra minerals….
Reply
cheryl says:
August 20, 2012 at 4:32 pm
My great grandmother used to use eggshells in her perked coffee and it does take out the bitterness. It was a
great cup of coffee.
Reply
Mari says:
August 20, 2012 at 7:54 pm
I save my eggshells in a large bowl, then I steam them to sanitize them and let them dry. Then I grind them
down (I use a vitamix but I think any blender would do if you crush them a little first, or just do it in a coffee
grinder) into a fine powder and spoon them into 00 gelatin capsules for homemade calcium pills.
Reply
Jill says:
August 22, 2012 at 8:02 am
I like the capsule idea Mari- not sure I’d be able to choke down just the plain powder by itself.
Reply
Carol Dunn says:
August 20, 2012 at 8:43 pm
It was a lot of work, but worth it. At the school I work at we had families send in their rinsed and dried egg
shells. We crushed them and colored them in food coloring. The students then made mosiac masterpieces.
they were all beautiful too. Just don’t crush them too small.
Reply
terri brand says:
August 21, 2012 at 7:01 pm
I raise dachshunds, and I have found a wonderful use for egg shells. I save mine and let them dry out, when I
have a good size amount I crush them, then use a grinder(like you buy for coffee beans) and make them into a
powder. then I just put them in an airtight container until I need them.
If one of my dogs get diarhea (sorry about spelling) I just sprinkle a couple teaspoons of the powder on their
food for a day and the diarhea goes away.
an old friend told me about it a lo9ng time ago and I have used it when ever needed,
Reply
Jill says:
August 22, 2012 at 8:01 am
Interesting– and very good to know– considering I have 3 rowdy dogs.
Reply
CAROL says:
August 21, 2012 at 9:37 pm
THROW THEM IN YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL .. CLEANS IT!
Reply
greenie says:
August 21, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Keep them in the freezer and use to clean and sharpen blender blades by adding water. Then pour the
mixture into your compost bin.
Reply
Jill says:
August 22, 2012 at 7:57 am
Good one Greenie- I bet my blender blades are beyond dull…
Reply
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says:
August 23, 2012 at 10:22 am
I love stuff like this – I hate wasting food! I keep meaning to try the egg shells in my coffee; thanks for the
reminder.
Reply
Tala says:
August 23, 2012 at 11:25 am
Used coffee grounds and egg shells are wonderful in potted plants. I use a 1-4 ratio
Reply
Lisa says:
August 23, 2012 at 12:23 pm
These are great tips! I compost my egg shells, and occasionally use them as starter pots. Now I’m going to try
just crushing and sprinkling them right on the garden. (I don’t have any chickens … yet.) Thank you for
sharing.
Reply
Shasta says:
August 24, 2012 at 6:20 pm
Bulk Herb Store has a really good recipe for stock using chicken, (free-range), chicken feet, (optional) egg
shells, vinegar, and various vegetables. Look on http://www.bulkherbstore.com. Also, the books “Nourishing
Traditions” and “Raw Energy” have some good tips and recipes. Bulk Herb Store also has recipes for beef &
fish stock.
Reply
Robyn says:
September 5, 2012 at 8:27 am
I put crushed eggshells into our homemade cat food. It gives them beautifully silky fur!
Reply
Jill says:
September 5, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Awesome! I’m catless at the moment, but will have to give that a try when we get another barn cat.
Reply
'Becca says:
September 6, 2012 at 10:03 am
Wow, what a great list! I don’t have any ideas to add, but I linked to this article in my big list of ways to reuse
things.
Reply
Sarah says:
September 6, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Wonderful ideas!
Reply
Laura says:
September 6, 2012 at 9:41 pm
Is it possible to use storebought eggs (carton reads grain fed and free range – but stil probably factory) – can
they be used in the compost – or added to tomato plants?
What about boiling the egg shells? Would that remove the pathogens – would the shells still be good as
calcium in the compost bin or in with the tomato plants?
Thank you!
Reply
Jill says:
September 7, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Hi Laura,
I personally wouldn’t have a problem using storebought eggs for my compost or tomato plants– it’s just the
ideas that call for eating them, etc, that would make me nervous with factory eggs.
I’m not sure about the boiling and how it would affect the calcium. I imagine it would still be high in
calcium, but I can’t say for 100% sure.
Reply
Tracey says:
September 6, 2012 at 10:55 pm
I save eggshells for my friends’ worms (worm bin, worm farm?). I understand it makes the worm castings
higher in calcium. Probably the same as putting them in the compost.
Reply
Kathy says:
April 19, 2013 at 1:08 pm
The red wiggler worms also use them to help digest the compost-able material.
Reply
The Lazy Composter says:
September 6, 2012 at 11:27 pm
After I crack my eggs, I wipe out the last bit of liquid with my finger and apply under my eyes before putting
them in the compost. It’s always been really good for that delicate skin there, tightens everything up and
nourishes it at the same time. It could be the lecithin. I also vinegar tincture them (they will foam and dissolve)
and use them in my zucchini bed. And I’ve heard that they’ll dissuade cats from digging in the garden soil, but
that hasn’t been enough for my cats. Anyone else?
Reply
Jill says:
September 7, 2012 at 2:03 pm
That’s fascinating about using it under your eyes! Never heard that before– thanks for sharing!
Reply
Jen says:
September 6, 2012 at 11:37 pm
I grew up on a farm and my mother taught me to never feed egg shells to the chickens as that would definitely
encourage them to eat their own eggs (or eggs of other chickens in the coop.) To this day, she has never fed
eggs to hers, and they produce wonderful eggs without them.
Reply
Nancy says:
September 7, 2012 at 11:45 am
When we were kids, we used to take 1/2 a shell, glue two large cotton balls in the shell, one on top of the
other and use construction paper to make black eyes, orange beak, wings and feet to make a baby chick in a
shell for Easter. Then use a scrap for a newly hatched “hat”.
Reply
Rocky says:
September 13, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I’ve used them for years, especially on my tomatoes. They really love them. I also raise redworms in extra
large containers. The Coffee grinder powder causes the worms to multiply tremendously. I use the worm-
castings on all my plants to keep the white flys off and my plants are always healthy. Egg shells haven’t gone
in the trash for years, and now I’ve learned many new uses. Thanks !
Reply
corina says:
September 15, 2012 at 6:34 pm
I used to be a ballet dancer and I vouch for their efficiency in curing blisters. Pointed shoes often give bloody
and horrible blisters that should be cured ASAP for the next class or rehearsal. Take the egg membrane and
put the wet side on your blister, a band- aid on and leave it overnight. And…voila! Next morning, if not
completely healed .it had certainly improved and allowed me to wear my pointed shoes again.
Reply
Roberta Falange says:
September 23, 2012 at 10:41 am
Directed at the comment about eggshells for the disposal: I recently had to replace my disposal unit, and my
plumber said one of the worst things to throw down the disposal was egg shells, he said when he goes to fix
disposal that is the number 1 things he finds clogging them. Instead put a handful of ice down the disposal to
clean it along with a slice or two of lemon for a clean fresh smell.
Reply
Nicole says:
September 24, 2012 at 7:51 pm
For my daughters first birthday party, I made her a pinata using egg shells. First we blew up a balloon. We
used strips of newspaper and a flour/water mixture for the base. After three layers of newspaper, we glued
egg shells filled with confetti all around the outside. Lastly, we spray painted it purple and added leaves on
top, so it would look like grapes. The smallest children hit the pinata first and the confetti fell out, and then the
older kids broke it for the candy. It was amazing!
Reply
Jill says:
September 24, 2012 at 9:28 pm
What a neat idea Nicole- I never would have thought of that!
Reply
Karen says:
October 15, 2012 at 7:54 am
Thank you so much, all, for your posts! I always thought it was a waste just to throw the shells in the garbage.
Tried putting them in the compost in the past but ended up still with egg shells. Found out after they dry a bit in
the sink they crunch up very easily! Will definitely try a lot of these things. I don’t have much experience with
chickens yet, just starting out, but when I think that humans sometimes consume their placentas (OK that
personally would gross me out) and what one person said about wild birds/no egg shells left in the nest
makes biological sense.
Reply
Karen says:
October 15, 2012 at 8:10 am
Question: Why do you need to bake (sterilize) (#28) it for a wild bird treat but not for the home-flock?
Reply
Penny says:
October 26, 2012 at 3:55 am
I bake my egg shells on a piece of foil at approx 250 degrees F until I can smell their stink then I check on
them. When they are slightly browned I take them out of the oven, let them cool, then put them in a coffee can.
Periodically, I will take a paper towel and crush them inside the can using the paper towel to save my hands. I
also save banana peels in the fridge and I put both the crushed egg shells and banana peels around my
roses. I fold the foil and save it for the next time.
Reply
DEBORAH MATHIS says:
October 28, 2012 at 4:09 pm
You can use a variety of jars: baby food, pimiento, jelly, or any clear jar with a tight-sealing lid.
Use a glue gun, aquarium sealant, or florist clay to adhere your ‘scene’ to the inside of the lid. Allow glue to
‘set’ the required time before adding liquid.
Fill the jar with mineral oil, baby oil, or water. The snow or glitter will fall more slowly in the oil.
Add crushed egg shell for snow and glitter, if desired.
Carefully set the lid (with scene) onto the full jar and seal it tightly.
You may wish to apply more glue or sealant around the outside rim of the jar to ensure a good seal.
You did great! Enjoy
Reply
Andrea says:
December 9, 2012 at 7:21 am
If you crack them carefully, you can make cascarones (also known as confetti eggs). My kids, know teenagers,
still love making them and cracking them over any unsuspecting person who wanders by….
Reply
nikkhi says:
December 21, 2012 at 2:23 pm
throw the eggshell into your coffee grinder and grind it down…makes the blades sharper and cleans the
grinder well…and then you have powdered eggshell to add to soil Simple but works great! powdered
eggshell is great to clean pots and pans, the oven and tile and bathtubs or showers (basically anything
needing abrasive scrubbing power!) IF you are going to EAT them it it wise to bake them first to kill any
chance of selmonella!
As for the conflict about using eggs as a calcium supplement, we DO this and it is great!! )yes crush the shells
though) As for oyster shells I have had 1 chicken we know of die of internal bleeding due to a cut in her from
the oyster shells! I am thinking they were not ground well enough…so sad! Not sure how common it is, but
certainly something to watch for.
Reply
Jill says:
December 22, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Love the egg-scouring-powder idea!
Reply
Jamie says:
December 21, 2012 at 2:29 pm
DONT sterilize egg shells before feeding to wild birds or animals. it changes the molecular structure. When
did you see birds out in the wild sterilizing anything,especially egg shells? Think.
Reply
Cheryl W says:
December 21, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Something I do with my egg shells is to start my veggie seeds and herbs in them. I crack them as to have a
cup and then just losely fill with potting soil. Plant seed and water daily. Then when they are ready to transfer,
just plant the whole thing. It works awesome. I place them in an egg carton to keep them upright and in place.
Reply
Jill says:
December 22, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Yes! I’ve seen this idea around the internet– looks like a great one!
Reply
Bethany says:
June 14, 2013 at 8:32 am
This is a great idea! Do you have to crack the shells any before planting them in the ground? I would think
it would be difficult for the little roots to break through on their own.
Thanks!
Reply
Craig L Johnson aka thenaturenurd says:
January 2, 2013 at 9:22 am
Good article overall. By the way Slugs and Snails are not insects but Mollusks
Reply
Jill says:
January 3, 2013 at 9:55 am
Whoops- I’ll get that fixed.
Reply
Lisa G says:
January 6, 2013 at 1:07 pm
I use the ground up shells to clean my bathroom as a scrub.
Reply
Candace says:
January 10, 2013 at 3:35 pm
here is an old idea not listed yet; save all your egg shells, (lots) dry each of them out and pull the inner
membrane out (make sure there is nothing but the shell itself) place in blender and whir into a power. comes
out like cornstarch, if you wanted scented powder ; place powdered egg shells into a glass jar,add a few
drops of your favorite essential oil and either wrap the outside of the jar with dark paper or paint outside of jar.
(you want NO light to get in) seal lid on tight, place in dark corner of your closet or cubby for I believe 4-6
weeks. and you have scented talc power for yourself.
Reply
Jill says:
January 10, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Wow Candace, NEVER would have thought of that one! Thanks!
Reply
Sundi says:
January 13, 2013 at 2:01 pm
Just fyi: I was putting eggshells down my garbage disposal to “freshen it up” and wound up with a flooded
kitchen. The plumber told me that unless your disposal actually pulverizes the shells (which is very unlikely
for any brand of disposal), they end up clogging the pipes because the membranes cause them to bunch
together almost like glue, obviously forming a bit of a barrier. For me, that tip was a total disaster. I would
remove that tip as it is NOT a good idea.
Reply
karen says:
January 23, 2013 at 12:23 pm
I make homemade toothpaste instead of adding calcium i add ground up egg shells. it adds the calcium to the
toothpaste and also adds a little abrasive for cleaning.
Reply
leah says:
January 28, 2013 at 11:13 am
along with egg shells you should mix in old coffie grinds and add to the garden coffie is poisonus to slugs and
snails and if they get around that they have the egg shells to contend with
Reply
frank says:
February 14, 2013 at 10:20 am
Just watch out when you eat the shells because that’s where salmonella likes to hide! Think about it…. the
chicken poops out the egg…so where do you think poop is? on the outside of the eggshell! Where does
salmonella and e. coli like to play? In the poop! So, the outside of the egg shells can contain salmonella and
e. coli! Just wiping the shells clean will not help ya! You will never see me consume eggshells!
Reply
Jill says:
February 14, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Yes– salmonella and e. coli do live in feces. However, free-range chickens raised on proper diets are
much less likely to carry these diseases. That is why I comfortable eating raw eggs from our own chickens,
but not store-bought eggs.
Reply
frank says:
February 14, 2013 at 4:39 pm
I’m sorry, Jill, but please take an anatomy and physiology course. No offense, but we all carry these
bacteria (they are bacteria, not diseases). They help us digest things. In fact, they are in all living
creature’s digestive systems; helping everything breakdown and digest foods. Right now, as you are
reading this, e. coli and/or salmonella are inside your digestive tract; breaking down whatever organic
material you sent their way. So, how does one get sick with these bacteria? Well, we each have our
own normal bacteria (what they call normal flora). No two normal flora are the same! So if flora from
someone else goes inside your body, your body acts like it is a stranger and attacks it! You then get
sick and could possibly die! This is why everyone tells you to wash your hands, especially after using
the bathroom! So, no matter what you feed your chickens (free-range by the way includes chickens
eating dirt, garbage, etc… I’d watch them more closely so that they are on your so-called proper diet).
I never said anything about eating raw eggs, either. I said eating the egg shells as stated in the regular
post. The eggs in the shells are fine to eat. I enjoy eating them. However, the shells contain the poop
and the bacteria I talked about earlier. If you would like more information on bacteria and where it
comes from, I will be glad to explain it all to you! Thanks!
Reply
Jimmy's Mom says:
February 15, 2013 at 8:03 am
Wow, Frank. What condescension! Any chance you could’ve given us all the biology lesson without
the attitude?
Reply
frank says:
February 16, 2013 at 8:20 pm
I’m just sick of reading articles where people don’t state the consequences of eating potentially
harmful substances. Then, when someone does, they get told that it’s not possible because they
are home grown and whatnot. Just because something is home-grown does not mean that it’s
perfectly safe for consumption. There are hazards with anything, whether it’s organic or not. Sorry
if I offended anyone, but I was offended when I read such nonsense and felt the need to warn
people before they tried it and became potentially, fatally ill.
Tami Lewis says:
February 18, 2013 at 11:51 am
I feed them to my hens too.
Reply
Mary says:
February 21, 2013 at 7:52 am
It’s been very interesting reading all the comments on here. I agree with all the uses of eggshells. But to slam
each other in their uses doesn’t do any good. We each have our own ideas and if you don’t agree with
someone else, that’s fine. Do what is best for you. But kind words go much further than bitter words. I, too, am
an oldtimer and have raised many chickens in my day, but let each responder to the blog have their own
ideas and if you don’t agree with them, ignore the comment. It makes for much more pleasant reading. May
God bless all of you in your endeavors in striving for better health.
Reply
Jeannie Brazeal says:
March 6, 2013 at 5:28 pm
I painted eggshells with acrilic paint to create landscapes when I was younger… I also painted dried leaves
with acrilic paint to create landscapes too. Cheap natural canvas. Obviously you have to blow them out first.
Here is a site that teaches you how to blow them out… http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/04/how-to-make-
blown-egg-ornaments/
Reply
Laurinda says:
March 23, 2013 at 12:59 pm
O. M. G. Thank you!!
Reply
Hyla Brook says:
March 29, 2013 at 9:28 am
I rinse and let my shells dry. Then I grind them to a powder and add them to the kitchen scraps I feed to my
compost worms. My castings are high in calcium, very good for the garden, especially tomato plants.
Reply
Jill Winger says:
March 29, 2013 at 11:01 am
Oh yes– gotta feed those worms!
Reply
Ms.B. says:
March 30, 2013 at 9:41 am
The link for the coffee is wonky. Here is the correct link
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/drink/reviews/Boiled-Coffee-241190
Reply
Mali Korsten says:
April 4, 2013 at 5:57 am
This is awesome! I usually just give my leftover eggshells to my labrador (she loves to munch them straight
down), but I’m keen to try some of these other ideas! Thanks for a great post
Reply
Mira Dessy says:
April 5, 2013 at 3:38 pm
I learned a few things I didn’t know from this list, thanks for sharing. It’s awesome how much can be done with
something that most people simply throw away.
Reply
Brooke W says:
April 7, 2013 at 9:43 am
I’ve read that feeding egg shells to your chickens will give them a taste for them and they will actually start to
eat their own eggs. I don’t have chickens anymore so I cannot test this but its just a heads up.
Reply
Jill Winger says:
April 7, 2013 at 3:40 pm
I’ve heard that as well- but have never noticed it causing a problem.
Reply
Dawn Maurer says:
April 19, 2013 at 5:46 pm
My father was raised on a chicken ranch. My grandfather ran his own chicken ranch in Southern California.
My own father said that you give your chickens the old crushed up egg shells in their feed.
another thing to use the egg shells for is as you would comet or another sink scrubber. A friend of mine used
to use them. he was the one who told me about that years ago. It will whiten and clean the sink wonderfully
without the chemicals. I love that idea because i keep the chemicals out of my house.
Reply
Jill Winger says:
April 19, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Great tip Dawn- thanks for sharing!
Reply
Mary says:
April 20, 2013 at 6:54 am
Egg Shell Bathtub Scrub! http://www.nourishingjoy.com/homemade-bathtub-scrub-with-a-surprising-secret-
ingredient/
Reply
Jill Winger says:
April 20, 2013 at 8:57 am
How awesome is that?!
Reply
Carmel says:
April 20, 2013 at 5:29 pm
do not feed them back to your chickens as the chickens will then start eating their own eggs.
Reply
Catherine says:
April 24, 2013 at 10:30 am
Totally agree, but many here seem to be of the opposite opinion. Get the feeling that if they don’t
experience the problem, then it cannot ever happen. Hmm, wonder who is closed minded now?
Reply
Mariah says:
May 6, 2013 at 5:25 pm
Thanks so much for all the wonderful info!
We have our own Free-range chickens and go through many egg shells!!!!
Reply
Jill Winger says:
May 6, 2013 at 8:29 pm
You are very welcome Mariah!
Reply
Roberta Roddy says:
May 11, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Hi, I just boiled a dozen eggs and thought I’d search for ideas to use the shells when I plant my garden. Love
all your suggestions here. I have to add one more sort of related to feeding them to your chickens. I had a
male parakeet once and decided to get a female to try to mate them. The female about killed the male, so that
didn’t work, but she did lay eggs regularly. Problem: she would almost die lying on the floor of her cage after
laying an egg. I decided she probably depleted her calcium and maybe even protein supply. I hard boiled and
egg, minced the egg and mixed it with the finely crushed the shell. After getting her to eat about a half a tsp.
full the first time, she ate it more eagerly and came back to good health. Wish I could say she lived happily
ever after, but she remained vicious until the end. My brother was bird sitting for me when I went on a vacation
and a snake got into his basement and into her cage. End of bird. :O(
Reply
Mike the Gardener says:
May 24, 2013 at 7:56 am
I grind up the egg shells (most of the time) and feed them to my worms. I have a worm tower for making
vermicompost.
Reply
georgia leyva says:
May 31, 2013 at 12:15 pm
I put them around my rose bushes
Reply
Leslie says:
June 17, 2013 at 9:39 pm
When I was in 5th grade our teacher has all of us bring in egg shells for weeks. When they were dried, we
crushed them, coated different shaped bottles with Elmers Glue and rolled them in the shells. We then painted
them and the prettiest I recall was a gold vase. This is such a fond memory, I have loved egg shells ever
since! Now I have all of these other great things to do with them.
Reply
Amy says:
June 24, 2013 at 7:29 pm
My brother ( The Master Plumber) has said many many times… “Do not let anything go into the garbage
disposal except for egg shells!” he said the bits of egg shell help to clear the pipes. He has also said that if
you are going to grind up the egg shells to run the water on full.
Reply
randy says:
June 25, 2013 at 4:47 pm
My elderly neighbor swore by them to treat acne. Her son had chronic acne problems until her sister told her
to apply the shell membranes on the affected area and allow to dry. Then clean the skin with ivory soap, other
soaps often use certain perfumes which can irritate and increase acne. These are the things she passed onto
me and she really stressed using Ivory soap. Ivory is always best for cleaning acne covered skin when you
can’t afford pricey acne treatment soaps. The egg shell membranes applied before cleaning with the Ivory
increased the effectiveness 100 percent, or so she told me. Luckily I had light acne at the time she told me
these things but the results blew me away compared to washing with just your average soap and water. Also
it is best to rinse with pre-boiled water for obvious reasons. This method for treating acne is a much better
choice than going broke paying for special pricey acne treatment soaps. I truly hope this method will improve
the lives of those poor folks who suffer from chronic acne issues as some can be quite severe. I know it
improved my skin a great deal.
Reply
Jill Winger says:
June 28, 2013 at 11:41 am
Very interesting Randy- thanks for sharing! I bet quality homemade soap would work too.
Reply
Sara says:
June 30, 2013 at 9:23 pm
In addition to many of these ideas, I let small eggshell pieces sit in the sink strainer. It slowly breaks down and
catches additional food. Also, I like using a mortar and pestle to grind baked eggshells.
Reply
Briana says:
July 3, 2013 at 3:22 pm
For a reduce~ reuse~ recycle themed Earth Day activity with our homeschool kids, we saved egg shells for
them to make a candle craft. Beforehand, we carefully broke off only the top portion of the egg when using the
eggs and gently washed out the shells to remove the membrane. The kids dyed the shells, like you would do
Easter eggs, and then we added a small wick and soy candle wax flakes. A quick heating in the microwave
melted the flakes into a solid candle and the cute little eggshell candles were placed in small 2² terra cotta
pots that worked perfectly as holders. Very cute kid craft! Of course, the shells could later be composted for
even further R~R~R’ing!
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Jill Winger says:
July 4, 2013 at 10:18 am
AWESOME idea Briana– thanks for sharing it!
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Kayla says:
August 26, 2013 at 12:41 pm
I did that with my scouts. To save time you can place them in a muffin pan lined with foil rappers and melt
the wax in the shells.
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Basia says:
July 4, 2013 at 2:24 pm
When have broken bone, make a powder with it and add to every meal. Ur bone will heal in extra speed!
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Jill Winger says:
July 4, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Interesting! But it makes sense b/c of all the calcium.
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Wendy Solomon says:
August 15, 2013 at 12:02 pm
I use the membrane to fix breaking finger nails. When the nail starts to tear put clear polish on it and lay the
membrane across the tear like a bandage. Let it dry and then paint over it. Though it may not be even it will
allow the nail to grow out. You may need to reapply but it give the nail a chance to grow out, especially when
it tears clear down near the quick.
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Jill Winger says:
August 15, 2013 at 1:36 pm
I really need to make a note to try this next time…
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Better Prepped says:
August 24, 2013 at 4:28 pm
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Jill Winger says:
August 24, 2013 at 8:58 pm
Awesome! Your new website sounds wonderful- thanks for the links!
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Kayla says:
August 26, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Crush dried shells and place them around your house if you have adobe bugs. Outside of our house use to
get covered with them and my grandma would place the shells around the whole outside of the house. A day
or two later no more bugs. This is such a nice site my family lived on our homestead for over a 100 years and I
had lived there for the first 14 years of my life. This site has so many things that we use to do or my grandma
just talked about.
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Jill Winger says:
August 26, 2013 at 1:52 pm
That wonderful Kayla! I wish my family had stayed on their original homesteads.
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Tracy LaForest says:
August 29, 2013 at 10:16 am
You can save them up and use them as a depth finder/current finder in the Winter, when you are ice fishing.
My Dad has been saving his shells for this very reason for years. You drop a handful of broken shells into the
hole and as they fall to the lake bed, you have an idea of just how deep the water is. It can also let you know if
you have a strong current under you, so you have an idea where your fishing line is going to travel.
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Jill Winger says:
August 29, 2013 at 11:30 am
Ok– this just might be the most creative use on the list– I love it!
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Margaret says:
August 30, 2013 at 3:41 pm
A few years ago I broke the tops off some large eggs and used the shells to make a centerpiece for small
flowers. First, I glued three around, then I think it was five, and so on. Kind of a Christmas tree shape is what I
am trying to explain. Some of the eggshells I used were from the colored eggs and the dark brown eggs. I left
the natural and placed pansies and other small flowers in them. It turned out just beautiful. I did spray one with
spray paint and a high gloss and that one seemed to last the longest — gave some strength to the eggshells.
Don’t have it anymore so I can’t post a picture. Just experiment!
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Jill Winger says:
August 30, 2013 at 10:06 pm
How creative Margaret!
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Health & Organic Wellbeing ( H.O.W ) says:
August 30, 2013 at 10:39 pm
Thanks for sharing this!
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Mayra says:
September 5, 2013 at 1:25 pm
This is what we do with them in Mexico http://www.mamalatinatips.com/2012/04/como-hacer-cascarones-de-
pascua.html
Reply
jeanelle downey says:
September 5, 2013 at 2:49 pm
I have made jewelery out of eggshells
Reply
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