In this latest guest post from the Colorado Egg Producers, our local egg farmers offer natural, eco-friendly solutions to common household challenges.

It’s no secret that eggs are a nutritious and delicious option for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With so many different ways to cook them, eggs are known as one of the most versatile, high quality ingredients in the kitchen. But many people are unaware that eggs are also extremely useful around the house. From making homemade facial masks to improving your gardening, the nutrients in eggs provide many household solutions outside of the kitchen. The Colorado Egg Producers (CEP) Association wants to share some great ways for you to use eggs around your house.

“We know that eggs contain nutrients, high quality protein and amino acids that are beneficial for your health,” said Terry Tormohlen, a CEP member and egg farmer. “But many people don’t realize these same nutrients can be beneficial in other ways as well. There are many interesting ways that the nutrients and protein found in eggs can be used outside of the kitchen.”

Nutrients like vitamin A, calcium and sulfur as well as the consistency of eggs make them an ideal solution for many household needs. Below are some great ways to use eggs around your home, from Instructables.com.

• Hair treatments – The proteins and nutrients found in eggs are great for revitalizing your hair. To add some strength and shine to your hair, beat an egg with a little bit of olive oil and apply it to your hair from roots to ends. Leave the mixture in for about 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

• Facial masks – Eggs contain many anti-aging and moisturizing properties that can make your skin glow and feel fresh. For an anti-aging, smoothing treatment that reduces pores and puffiness, whisk egg whites with a little bit of water and apply the mixture to your face. Rinse off after a few minutes. For a moisturizing treatment, follow the same steps using egg yolks.

• Glue replacement – Because of their composition, egg whites become sticky as they dry. Egg whites are a great substitution for glue when used on paper or light cardboard. Egg whites can also be used for papier-mâché projects, when mixed with flour, water, sugar and alum.

• Gardening – There are several ways eggs can help your plants grow healthy and strong. Eggshells are great sources of calcium, a crucial nutrient for plants. Give your plants a calcium boost by watering them with the cooled water leftover from cooking your hard-boiled egg. You can also give your plants calcium by composting your eggshells in the soil.

• Cleaning leather – egg whites are an easy, low cost option to clean your favorite leather products. Just gently scrub the egg whites into the leather and wipe it off with a damp cloth to remove dirt and make the leather shine.

• Heal bruises – Eggs contain a number of healing properties, even in the shell. To help break up a bruise, hard boil an egg and peal it while it is still warm. Rub the eggshell on your bruise to help dissipate the blood cells collecting underneath the skin.

Do you have any egg-cellent remedies to common household problems? Share your tricks with Colorado Egg Producers on social media! You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest or visit www.ColoradoEggProducers.com for more fun tricks and tips with eggs. The Colorado Egg Producers (CEP) Association is a membership organization representing seven farms throughout the state. CEP is committed to doing what’s right for its community, as illustrated by the regular donation of thousands of eggs to food banks throughout the state. Local egg farmers take great pride in providing eggs to Coloradans.