It would more than over-easy to peg the egg as a breakfast fixture, but that’s not all it’s good for.

The egg is an extremely useful item outside of the kitchen, for both the household and your beauty care regimen. Whether you want to give yourself a protein facial or spruce up your coffee, consider these 20 unusual uses for eggs when you’re looking to keep homemade solutions quick, easy, and cheap.

1. Shampoo

Eggs are packed with protein and thus a welcome treatment for the hair. Whisk an egg and then run it through your hair with your fingers and massage it into your scalp. The egg yolk will treat distressed and damaged hair as well as moisturize it, while the egg white will clean the hair by sticking to dirt and pulling it away. Once fully applied to the hair, wash the egg out with lukewarm water.

2. Egg-White Facial 

Separate the egg white from the egg yolk. Whisk the egg white until frothy and using your hands, apply a layer to your face and neck. The egg white tightens your skin and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Let the mixture stay on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

3. Egg-Yolk Facial

Separate the egg white from the egg yolk. Whisk the egg yolk until it is no longer clumped together. Use your hands to apply an even layer to the face and neck. The fat in the egg yolk moisturizes dry skin. Wait 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

4. Compost

Eggshells are packed with calcium, which helps plants to grow. Crush eggshells and add them to your compost.

5. Arts and Crafts

Prick a hole with a pin in one end of the egg and let the egg white and yolk slowly drain out. You are essentially left with an empty egg. Decorate the eggshell to your liking and admire your creative ornament! This is also a creative arts and crafts experience for kids, as it is both challenging to keep the eggshell in one piece and fun to do.

6. Ice-Cube Solution

Throwing a party and run out of ice cube trays? Save yourself a trip to the store by using an egg carton instead. The size is similar and the result the same.

7. Edible Paint

Isolate the egg white from the egg and whisk it with 1 tablespoon of water and food coloring of choice. Paint pastries and cakes, or any appropriate food item, for a decorative, edible, and easy way to bring color to your creations.

8. Unclogged Sink

Leave crushed eggshells in the strainer of your sink and it will help to break up anything that passes through to prevent clogging.

9. Makeshift Band-Aid

Apply a thin layer of whisked egg whites to a minor cut. The egg whites will dry, creating a thin film that protects your cut as well as provides nutrients to the skin that will help it to heal easier, sans a scar.

10. Jewelry Enhancer

Eggs contain sulfur, which oxidizes commercially-sold jewelry with sterling .925 or lower, helping to enhance jewelry’s design. Hard boil 1-2 eggs, crumble the egg yolk, and place the the egg yolk at the bottom of a container. Top the crumbled egg yolk with 1-2 paper towels, and then place the jewelry atop the paper towels. Seal the container and let it sit at room temperature for a few days. Remove the jewelry, rinsing it enough with soap and water to get rid of the unpleasant smell.

11. Plant Fertilizer

The calcium in eggshells promotes plant growth. Crush eggshells and mix them into fertilizer.

12. Coffee Taste Enhancer

By adding crushed eggshells to ground coffee before brewing, you can bring the coffee’s taste to a newer, and better, level. The eggshells cut coffee’s bitter taste, providing you with a smoother morning joe.

13. Small Ornaments 

Place small Christmas ornaments in the holes of empty egg cartons to prevent them from breaking in storage.

14. Leather Cleaner

Whisk egg whites and apply a thin layer on the affected area of leather. Lightly scrub the egg white away. It will leave the leather both clean and shiny, as egg whites cling to residue and help to pull it away from leather.

15. Seed Pots

Planting seeds in a big garden could be a bit overwhelming for a new plant. This is where an empty egg carton comes in handy. Fill the carton holes with fertilizer and plant seedlings in each one. After the plants grow beyond the capacity of the carton, transfer them to a larger garden, where they are now prepared to flourish without being overpowered.

16. Pest Deterrent

Spread crushed eggshells around the edges of your garden and the jagged edges will ward off all incoming slugs, snails, and cutworms. Their soft bodies will be harmed by the eggshells, so the hungry pests will steer clear of your plants.

17. Cat Deterrent

Wherever you want to prevent your cat from going, spread crushed eggshells around that area. After a few tries, the cat will stay away from the area, as the shells will bother its feet.

18. Plant Water

Don’t get rid of the water you used to boil eggs. Instead, after it has cooled, water your plants with it, which is packed with nutrients.

19. Glue

Egg whites are a great substitute to glue. If you run out of regular glue, whisk egg whites and brush a thin layer between paper or light cardboard to help them adhere together.

20. Usual Preparation

And if you are hungry after all that, why not at least cook eggs in an unusual and unique way? Try these suggestions, which include coddling, grilling, and roasting. Bon Appetit!

Photo Credits: Telepathicparanoia, Justj0000lie, Ashley Mayes, Adie Reed, Paparutzi, Tomi Tapio

The post 20 Unusual Uses for Eggs, Egg Shells, and Egg Cartons appeared first on EcoSalon.

Let me paint you a picture: You’re at the paint store. After sorting through thousands of slightly different colors and arduously selecting the perfect tint or shade to embellish your bedroom walls, the indifferent sales clerk asks, “What finish do you want?” Wait, what? You are already emotionally exhausted from sorting through heaps of colors. Dearest reader, let me help.

Choosing the right paint finish is dictated by two things, appearance and function. Finish options range from dull matte to overwhelming sheen.

FLAT paint provides a smooth, matte finish that softens facades and disguises surface imperfections. This finish is difficult to keep clean, so avoid high traffic areas (children and pets will not get along well with flat finish paint). Flat paint is less durable than other options, so keep a reserve of the paint for touch ups. This finish absorbs light and is ideal for hiding bumps, cracks, and flaws.

“¢ Suitable for (adult) bedrooms, dining rooms, formal living rooms, libraries, and ceilings.

EGGSHELL/PEARL/SATIN finishes are similar to flat, but with an added hint of sheen and a large dose of functionality. This cleanable, velvety finish has a charming texture and is ideal for high traffic areas.

“¢ Suitable for hallways, bedrooms (even children’s), family rooms, living rooms, powder rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and woodwork.

SEMIGLOSS paint is lustrous and durable, perfect for areas that are exposed to moisture and get cleaned frequently.

“¢ Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, utility areas, laundry rooms, doors, trim, and woodwork.

GLOSS paint is an extremely hard and durable finish that exudes a glossy, shiny luster. Gloss finish reflects light and tends to magnify imperfections, so meticulous sanding and surface preparation is essential.

“¢ Suitable for woodwork, trim, floors, cabinets, doors, and furniture.

ADDITIONAL WISDOM

Because the different finishes absorb and reflect light in different ways, consider the lighting of your space when selecting your sheen. For example, if your dining room has very dim lighting, the space will benefit from a finish with enough gloss to subtly reflect light. In this scenario, an eggshell finish would add a little more sparkle and ambiance than a flat finish.

Add a handful of contrast and dimension to any room by combining several paint finishes. Cover the ceiling with a flat finish to hide surface flaws. Use an eggshell or satin finish on walls for a functional surface with a bit of shine. Select a semigloss finish for doors, trim, and woodwork for a durable, easy to clean surface. Using different sheens within a space is aesthetically pleasing, but ultimately it’s a functional solution, too.

Need a few more tips? The EcoSalon archives offer great painting advice. How about a guide to eco-friendly paints? Or a little color guidance? Grab your paintbrush!

(Photographs by Emma Lee of Pearson Lyle Management.)

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