How to Wash Fresh Eggs in 4 Steps

You do not need to wash fresh eggs. Fresh laid eggs from backyard chickens or farm-fresh eggs from a local farm or farmers’ market contain a protective protein film around the eggshell known as the egg bloom or cuticle. The protein bloom comes from the hen who lays the egg, and it keeps bacteria from infecting the inside of the eggs. If you wash the egg, you wash away that protective coating. You can store unwashed eggs at room temperature on the countertop.

If you must clean eggs, wash them right before using them. You can also wash the eggs and then store them in the refrigerator to preserve shelf life and prevent bacteria from infecting the inside of the eggs. If you have your own chickens and regularly find dirty eggs or soiled eggs, clean the roost and nesting box for the chicken coop more often.

It is not necessary to clean store-bought eggs. Eggs from the grocery store are commercial eggs, which are usually washed and pasteurized per USDA regulations. The pasteurization process heats the eggs up, killing the bacteria. Commercial eggs are also treated with a sanitizing spray. It is important to store eggs from the grocery store in the refrigerator since the eggs no longer have a bloom to protect them from bacteria.

If your fresh eggs are dirty or have come into contact with chicken droppings, it’s good to clean them before use. To clean fresh eggs, wipe them with a dry, slightly abrasive item such as a sponge to sand off any dirt or droppings. For a more thorough egg cleaning, follow these steps:

1. 1. Wash eggs in warm water. Rinse the eggs under warm running water. The warm tap water will draw out any dirt and bacteria from the shell; cold water can cause bacteria to go below the surface of the eggshell. Avoid any cleaning agents such as bleach, soap, or detergent. Eggshells are porous, so any chemicals will pass through the shell pores into the eggs.
2. 2. Dry the eggs. Use paper towels to carefully dry the eggs.
3. 3. Store the eggs in the refrigerator. Store the eggs in an enclosed container in the fridge, so they do not lose moisture or absorb any odors from the refrigerator. Preferably, you should store eggs in an egg carton to prevent broken eggs. Refrigeration also reduces the risk of salmonella, which can cause food poisoning.
4. 4. Use mineral oil. You can spray the eggs with mineral oil to keep them from losing moisture in the refrigerator, but this does not prevent salmonella or other bacteria.

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