Unusual uses for eggs and eggshells around the house

Chicken eggs – indeed, all kinds of eggs that we consume – are a huge part of the human diet.  They are packed with nutrients, particularly protein, and are one of the easiest and most versatile foods to cook if you are looking to whip up a quick meal. They are so often used as an ingredient in recipes that people tend to overlook other practical uses for eggs.

Eggs, in their entirety – egg white, egg yolk, and eggshell – can be used for a number of purposes that do not include cooking. (h/t to MyFamilySurvivalPlan.com.)

• Eggshell candles – An emptied eggshell will make an excellent mold for a candle. According to MyKitchenWand.com, you will need: Cleaned and washed eggshells; egg carton to hold the eggshells in place; about one tablespoon melted candle wax per half eggshell; and tea light wicks. Start by drilling a hole in the upper side of the egg, then simply start peeling the eggshell little by little. Pour out the egg white and yolk and keep peeling until you are left with 2/3 of the eggshell. Rinse the eggshells then place your wick in the middle. Gently pour melted wax into the eggshell, and let the wax sit until it hardens, taking the shape of the eggshell. Gently peel off the eggshell to reveal the egg-shaped candle inside. You can also melt Crayola crayons with the candle wax before pouring into the eggshell mold to create different colored candles.
• Eggshell and egg carton planters – If you are looking for a more organic planter than, say, a plastic bottle, you might want to try eggshells and discarded egg cartons. They make practical little planters that double as decorations around the house by painting them with different colors. The eggshell itself contains a lot of nutrients which will help the seedlings grow. A preschool teacher shares how she taught her students to make their own eggshell planters with goofy faces painted on them.
• Eggshells as calcium supplement – Eggshells contain sufficient amounts of calcium, but did you know that you can get your daily dose straight from them? Simply bake emptied and rinsed eggshells at 250 C for about 25 minutes and let them sit to cool. Once cooled, put the eggshells in a coffee grinder and pulverize them into a fine powder, which can then be added to juice or smoothie as a calcium supplement. You can also add this to your pet’s food for their calcium intake.
• Eggshells in coffee grounds – Add eggshells in coffee grounds to mellow out the bitterness. Get some dry, raw eggshells and crush them in your hands, then take the crushed shells and add them to your coffee just before brewing. The calcium-rich shells will absorb the coffee’s natural bitterness, improving its taste. Make sure to use only fresh, raw eggshells, and not the shells of boiled eggs.
• Eggs as a skin cleanser and moisturizer – Egg whites are known as excellent skin care aids, effective in clearing up acne and tightening the pores. Combining an egg white with half a teaspoon of lemon juice makes a simple yet effective face cleanser. Likewise, an egg yolk can be a good moisturizer for those with dry skin thanks to a substance called lecithin.
• Substitute egg whites for glue – Egg whites make good substitutes for glue. Crack open an egg and separate the white from the yolk. Using a brush, spread some egg white on the surfaces you want to glue together, such as paper. It also works on light cardboard but is not recommended for heavier materials.

The practical uses for eggshells don’t stop there – did you know that the shells can be added to your compost heap and re-used for gardening purposes? Find out more about this and other stories on DIY projects by visiting Homesteading.news today.

Sources include:

MyFamilySurvivalPlan.com

MyKitchenWand.com

Scholastic.com

MamaNatural.com