Yes, You Can Clean Using Eggshells—6 Ways to Try It

The secret to creating a powerful home cleaner might already be in your fridge. With egg prices continuing to rise nationwide, now is the time to make sure you’re using your eggs wisely—and that includes the shell. Instead of trashing your eggshells, start using them as a multipurpose cleaner.

We spoke with Patricia Duarte, franchise owner at Maidpro, who gave us some ideas on how (and why) eggshells can be used for cleaning. 

How to Use Eggshells for Cleaning

“Eggshells are full of calcium carbonate, the same compound found in chalk and limestone. It’s tough enough to scrub off burnt bits and stains, but soft enough to avoid scratching sturdy surfaces like stainless steel or ceramic,” Duarte says. 

Before you start cleaning, you’ll need to prepare your eggshells. You can’t use them for cleaning straight after you’ve cracked an egg—eggshells can carry salmonella, so you’ll need to clean the shells themselves first.

Prepare Your Eggshells

Duarte recommends adding them to a bowl of warm water first, to help wash off leftover egg whites. Then, drop them in a pot of boiling water for at least five minutes; this will sanitize them and make them safe to use. Dry them in an oven at 200°F for about 20 minutes (though Duarte recommends watching them carefully to make sure they don’t burn). Once they’re done, spread them out to cool down. 

Then, it’s time to grind the shells into a fine powder with a blender. For an everyday scrub, Duarte recommends mixing two tablespoons of eggshell powder with one tablespoon of mild dish soap and two to three tablespoons of warm water.

For a heavy-duty cleaner that gets rid of tougher stains and grease, Duarte recommends mixing the following:

• 1/4 cup of eggshell powder
• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1/4 or 1/2 cup of lemon juice.

When Not to Use Them

Before you get to cleaning, it’s important to remember that eggshells are abrasive, which means that they’re not suitable for all surfaces.

“Don’t use on soft plastics, polished stone (like marble), or non-stick cookware, as it can cause micro-scratches on these surfaces,” Duarte says. “Always test on a small spot first.” 

What You Can Clean with Eggshells

So, what exactly can you clean with eggshell powder? Below, Duarte shares plenty of ways to clean with eggshells that will have you scrambling (pun intended) to save yours from the compost bin.

1. Pots and Pans

Struggling to clean burnt bits and leftovers stuck to your favorite pan? Eggshells can help you with that. “Eggshell powder is a gentle abrasive that helps remove charred leftovers without scratching your cookware,” says Duarte. But there is one important egg-ception here—Duarte says to never use eggshells to clean nonstick pans, because they’re too abrasive and could end up scratching off the nonstick surface. 

2. Mugs and Thermoses 

Did you know that eggshells can actually help to remove odors from your mugs and thermoses? They can even help you lift off stubborn coffee or tea stains. “Swirl a mix of [eggshell] powder and water overnight, then rinse,” says Duarte. The smell should vanish once you’ve finished cleaning the cup. What’s more (over) easy than that?

3. Sinks and Faucets

There’s virtually no homeowner who hasn’t fallen victim to mineral buildup on their sinks and faucets. Fortunately, eggshell powder can take care of this, too. Add a little bit of vinegar to your eggshell mix to make a paste, then use it in your sinks and on your faucets to bring back their natural shine.

4. Stovetops and Ovens

Stubborn grease can be a challenge to remove from your stovetop or oven. To clean them, Duarte recommends taking a mixture of lemon juice or baking soda and eggshell powder. Use the paste on the toughest areas of your stovetop and oven, or keep it handy as an all-over deep cleaning solution.

5. Cutting Boards

“Stained wooden or plastic cutting boards benefit from a scrub with eggshells and citrus. Gentle, natural, and effective,” says Duarte. The abrasive nature of your eggshell powder will lift the stain from your cutting board, while the acidity from the citrus juice can help break down the stains and lighten the board.

6. Tiles and Grout

According to Duarte, eggshell powder and vinegar or citric acid works wonders on tiles and grout. Use this mixture to help you scrub surface mildew out of your shower or to make your kitchen backsplash sparkle. “Avoid rough scrubbing if grout is old and crumbly,” advises Duarte.

Making full use of your precious eggs is the best way to keep your home clean and sustainable—without spending any extra money on cleaning products. 

“It’s not glamorous. It’s not flashy. But it is smart, responsible, and deeply satisfying. It reminds us that sustainability often starts in the smallest, most ordinary places—like a breakfast plate,” says Duarte. We certainly couldn’t be more eggcited to try out these tricks ourselves.