What to Do With Eggshells: 7 Simple Ways to Use Them (Instead of Throwing Them Away)
If you’re part of our egg club, you probably know this feeling well…
You go through a dozen (or two, or three), and before you know it, there’s a bowl of eggshells sitting on your counter. Or you've thrown away more egg shells than you can count!
At some point, most of us have thought: “I feel like I shouldn’t be throwing these away…”
And you’re right!
Eggshells are one of those things that feel like they should have a purpose, but most of us were never really shown what to do with them.
If you’ve ever wondered what to do with eggshells, there are actually several simple, practical ways to reuse them, from your garden to your kitchen and beyond.
We’re not big on overcomplicating things, but we are big on using what we already have.
So instead of tossing them, here are a handful of ways to start using your Angel Acres egg shells in your home and garden in a way that actually makes sense.
1. Make Your Own Eggshell Calcium Powder
Eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate, and when properly prepared, they can be turned into a fine powder.
How to make it:
- Rinse shells after use
- Boil for ~10 minutes to sanitize
- Let them dry completely (overnight works well)
- Bake at ~200°F for 15–20 minutes
- Grind into a very fine powder (a coffee grinder works best)
How to use:
- Add a small amount to smoothies or food
- Or take with water
A note on amounts:
You’ll often see estimates around ~800–1,000 mg of calcium per teaspoon, but the exact amount because it depends on shell size, grind, and preparation.
It’s also worth keeping in mind:
- Finer powder = better absorption
- Calcium works best when balanced with other minerals like magnesium
2. Add Them to Your Compost (The Easiest Win)
If you do nothing else, do this.
Eggshells add minerals, especially calcium, to your compost over time.
- Toss them in whole
- Or crush them to help them break down faster
They won’t disappear overnight, but over time they contribute to a more nutrient-rich compost!
3. Work Them Into Your Garden Soil
Crushed eggshells can be mixed directly into your garden beds or planting holes.
This is especially helpful for plants that tend to struggle with calcium-related issues, like tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
Keep in mind that eggshells break down slowly, so this supports long-term soil health, not immediate results.
Best way to use them:
- Let shells dry out
- Crush them finely
- Mix into soil when planting
4. Use Them as a Natural Pest Barrier
Crushed eggshells can be spread around the base of plants to help deter soft-bodied pests like slugs and snails!
The rough texture makes it harder for them to move across.
It’s not foolproof, but it’s a simple, non-toxic layer of protection that can help, especially in smaller garden spaces.
5. Start Seeds in Eggshells
This is one of those ideas that’s both practical and just satisfying to do. And super cute!
You can use eggshell halves as mini seed starters:
- Fill with soil
- Add your seeds
- Place them back into a carton for support
When it’s time to transplant, you can gently crush the shell and plant the whole thing!
This can help reduce transplant shock and gives roots something to grow into.
As mentioned in #3, calcium is especially helpful for plants such as tomatoes, peppers & squash to help reduce the chances of Blossom End Rot (BER), which is caused by a calcium deficiency. Consider starting these plants in eggshells to help prevent this.
6. Make a Simple Mineral Rinse for Plants
You can soak crushed eggshells in water for a day or two, then use that water to lightly water your plants! Many people use this as a gentle, supplemental addition.
Think of it as a small bonus, not a primary fertilizer.
7. Use Eggshells as a Gentle Natural Scrub
Eggshells can be surprisingly useful in the kitchen!
When crushed, they create a mild abrasive that can help scrub:
- stuck-on food in pans
- jars or containers
- hard-to-clean surfaces
Just combine crushed shells with a bit of water or soap and use as needed.
A Note on Preparing Eggshells
Before using eggshells for anything beyond compost or soil, it’s a good idea to clean and dry them properly.
Basic preparation steps:
- Rinse after use
- Boil or bake to sanitize
- Dry fully before storing or grinding
Once that becomes part of your routine, the rest tends to follow pretty naturally.
Instead of tossing them, you start to notice how often eggshells show up and how easy it is to set them aside for later.
A small bowl on the counter, a handful into the compost, a few crushed into the garden when you’re already out there!
Nothing to overthink. Just something that slowly becomes part of your rhythm!
