Anyone lucky enough to have a backyard chicken coop or local farmers market probably has some fresh eggs on their counter. But before you crack them open for egg casseroles or boil them for egg salad recipes, you must wash them properly. They’re not like the eggs at grocery stores, which are pre-washed and ready to use. No, farm-fresh eggs are coated in dirt, debris and other inedible contaminants. To keep that out of your food, you have to learn how to wash fresh eggs and store them properly before using them.
We’ll go over egg washing safety and how to store eggs so they stay fresh. But we’ll also cover when not to wash farm-fresh eggs (yes, that matters, too!) and how long eggs can sit out. It may seem like a lot of information, but learning the reasons behind it all clarifies the rules and makes them easier to remember.
Do you need to wash eggs?
Commercially packaged eggs from the grocery store should not be washed. This is because all USDA-graded eggs from the grocery store have already been washed using specially approved cleaners. Rewashing them can allow water to seep into the porous eggshells, contaminating the egg inside. These eggs need to be stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them. Any cracked eggs found in the carton should be discarded.
However, if you get eggs from a local farmer or farmers’ market, those eggs are not USDA-graded and are not cleaned before they’re sold. Because of this, you must wash fresh eggs because they are often contaminated with substances like dirt, feathers, feces and salmonella. If the shell of the egg isn’t washed properly, these contaminants can end up in your food or on cooking surfaces and equipment.
When should you wash eggs?
The catch is that you shouldn’t wash these contaminants off fresh eggs until right before you use them. Why? Eggs have a natural coating called a “cuticle” or “bloom” that protects the inside of the egg from bacteria by filling and covering the holes on the porous shell. When that cuticle is washed off, the semipermeable shell can allow bacteria to pass through and contaminate the contents.
So, if you wash the protective coating off the eggs, cook them immediately or transfer them to the refrigerator. If you leave your fresh eggs unwashed, they can remain on the counter for several weeks thanks to the bloom.
How to Wash Fresh Eggs
Step 1: Gently wash the eggs
Cool water is more likely to transport bacteria through an eggshell, so make sure that your wash water is between 90° and 120°F. The best way to clean eggs is to rinse each egg individually under running water. Don’t soak the eggs.
Step 2: Use a dab of unscented soap, if desired
When rinsing, you can use a bit of unscented soap if needed. Once the eggs are rinsed, place them in a dish—not back in the carton, as the carton will still contain contaminants like feathers, dirt and feces.
Step 3: Sanitize the eggs
Dip each rinsed egg into a sanitizing solution. This solution should be 1 tablespoon of bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water. Once sanitized, dry each egg with a paper towel.
Step 4: Store or use the eggs
Store fresh eggs promptly in the refrigerator if you’re not going to eat them right away.
Step 5: Wash your hands
Even if you’ve cleaned your eggs, it’s still essential to wash your hands and sanitize the sink to ensure that all contamination is removed and doesn’t spread to other kitchen surfaces.
How to Store Eggs
All washed eggs should be kept in the refrigerator at 40 degrees or below and used within three to five weeks. Eggs last in the fridge a surprisingly long time. Just make sure to store eggs the right way: pointy-side down and round-side up to center the yolks. This keeps the eggs fresher longer. If it’s been a while and you’re unsure if you can still use them, you can tell if eggs are fresh by using the float test.
Store unwashed eggs at room temperature on the counter for two to three weeks. Keep them in a dry, dark corner away from humidity and sunlight.
