20 Mind Blowing Uses For Two Things You Throw Away All The Time!

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If you are like most people, you are always looking for ways to recycle, reuse, and save a buck at the same time. Well, we have a little information about how to use a couple common items in your home that most people simply chuck in the trash and never think twice about: eggshells and egg cartons. There are a surprising number of things you can do with both of these rather than dumping them in the garbage and adding to our overflowing landfills!

First, let’s take a look at eggshells. Most people think these are pure trash since you can’t eat them. You might find a few people who add them to their compost pile, but for the most part, these just get tossed. Why do that when eggshells have so much left to offer us after we empty out the egg?

Keep reading! We have 10 great uses for both eggshells and egg cartons you probably never thought about before.

10 Unbelievable Ways to Use Eggshells

1. Garden Pest Control

Although bugs come in all shapes and sizes, if it crawls on the ground, you can convince it to go elsewhere (or even kill it) by putting crushed up eggshells (just crush some in your hands, it shouldn’t be powder) around your plants. When bugs crawl over the eggshells, the sharp edges cut into their bodies. They will either make a hasty retreat, or die trying to gain access to your squash.

2. Better Tasting Coffee

If you have ever brewed some coffee and realized that it’s rather bitter, you can save some bucks by adding eggshells to your coffee filter. Rather than throw out some bitter beans, simply crush some eggshells and place them in the bottom of your coffee filter, usually about one eggshell for every 5 or 6 cups of coffee. You don’t need a lot, just a fine layer to cover the bottom of the filter. The eggshells will absorb some of the bitter acids in the coffee but will leave all of the smooth flavor behind.

3. Fertilize the Garden

Eggshells are loaded with calcium, a mineral that is very important to many vegetable plants as well as flowering plants. Crush some eggshells in your blender and work some into the soil once or twice each year. Read more about natural fertilizers.

4. Composting

If you have a compost pile, perhaps you were wondering whether eggshells were good for them or not. Well, wonder no longer, eggshells are loaded with important minerals that will add a super healthy boost to your soil and they break down rather easily, so if you haven’t been adding eggshells to your compost pile, it’s never too late to start!

5. Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk

This is an easy craft that you will enjoy making with your kids. Grind your eggshells into a very fine powder. Then, mix one teaspoon of flour and one teaspoon of hot water in a cup. Now mix in the eggs shells. You can add a few drops of food coloring, or leave it as is for white chalk. When everything is well combined, roll it out into a stick shape and wrap it in a napkin or paper towel. Allow to dry for three or four days. Your chalk is now ready for that game of sidewalk hop scotch!

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