One Last Thing to Do with Eggshells Before You Toss Them

Our household generates a lot of eggshells. And because I know, in the back of my mind, that there are so many useful things to do with them, I always feel a twinge of guilt when I just toss them in the trash. I know I can use our eggshells for starting seedlings or to feed our plants, but, honestly, I’ve never started seedlings, and I don’t want eggshells visible in my plants’ soil! So into the trash they go. 

I recently came across a tip, though, that allows me to put some of my eggshells to use without having to do much or look at them in places I don’t want to see them: Use eggshells to sharpen blender blades. This tip not only allows me to use my eggshells, but also solves the problem of dull blender blades. Honestly, it’s a problem I didn’t know I had but felt compelled to remedy as soon as I was aware of it. 

To successfully re-use your eggshells to sharpen your blender blades, save your used eggshells in the freezer. (This way, you don’t even have to wash them and no organic material on them will rot.) One way to make this easy is to put your used eggshells in a bowl or on a paper towel as you’re cooking and then add them to a zip-top bag in your freezer. 

When you feel like your blades need some sharpening, toss a handful of eggshells into your blender container, add water so the shells are covered, and turn on your machine. Run it until the eggshells are pulverized. This next step is important: Don’t dump your eggshell water down the drain because the shells could clog your pipes. Instead, throw them in the trash or put them to even more good use by straining them and adding them to your compost pile. Finally, wash the container with soap and look forward to how well it’s going to work next time you make a smoothie.