Three (not gross) Uses for Hard-Boiled Egg Water

When the alarm pings and you’ve got yourself a pot of hard boiled eggs, you almost certainly drain the eggs and pour the leftover water down the drain without a second thought. Same girl, same.

But what if we told you that the water used to boil your eggs holds some unexpected benefits? That seemingly mundane liquid is jam-packed with calcium and other minerals that leach from the eggshells during boiling — and it can be surprisingly useful around the home and garden. Here are three sustainable and unexpected ways to repurpose hard-boiled egg water:*

*make sure the water is cooled, and transferred to a glass jar for use

Nourish Your Plants Hard-boiled egg water is rich in calcium, an essential nutrient for plant growth. Once the water has cooled, use it to water your houseplants or garden beds. Calcium helps strengthen cell walls and can be especially beneficial for tomato plants, which are prone to blossom-end rot caused by calcium deficiency.

[Don’t add salt when boiling eggs if you plan to reuse the water for plants — salt will harm them.]

Feed Your Compost Pouring egg water into your compost bin (as long as it’s unsalted and cooled) can give your pile a quick calcium boost. The minerals in the water can help balance the pH levels and enhance the overall nutrient profile of your compost.

Polish Wooden Furniture Make a gentle wood polish by mixing cooled egg water with a splash of vinegar and a few drops of olive oil in a spray bottle. Use it to wipe down wood furniture for a natural shine and added nourishment from the minerals.