🥚 Eggshells — what they are & what people use them for

Eggshells are the hard outer layer of an egg, made mostly of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). They protect the egg and developing embryo.

🧬 Composition

🦴 ~95% calcium carbonate
Small amounts of protein and minerals
Very porous (tiny air holes)

🌿 Common uses

🧴 1. Calcium supplement (with caution)

Ground eggshell powder contains calcium
Sometimes used in DIY supplements

⚠️ Important:

Must be sterilized and properly processed
Raw shells can carry bacteria like Salmonella

🌱 2. Garden fertilizer

Adds calcium to soil
Helps prevent blossom-end rot in tomatoes
Improves soil structure over time

🐌 3. Pest control (garden)

Crushed shells can deter slugs and snails (partially effective)

🧼 4. Cleaning agent (abrasive use)

Crushed shells used for gentle scrubbing in some DIY cleaners

🎨 5. Crafts & decoration

Used in mosaics and art projects

⚠️ Safety considerations

Must be washed, boiled, or baked before any reuse
Never eat raw or unprocessed eggshell powder
Risk of bacterial contamination if handled improperly

💡 Simple takeaway

👉 Eggshells are mostly calcium and have useful gardening and craft applications
👉 They are NOT safe to consume directly unless properly sterilized and prepared

If you want, I can show:

how to safely make eggshell calcium powder
or best ways to use them in your garden 👍