Eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen but when should you actually wash them? Whether you pick them up from a grocery store or a farmers’ market, how and when you wash your eggs depends on their origin. Washing them the wrong way (or at the wrong time) can increase your risk of foodborne illness or shorten their shelf life. Let’s crack the facts.
Farm-Fresh & Backyard Eggs
If your eggs come straight from the coop or local farmers’ market, they likely still have something called the bloom,a natural protective coating that keeps bacteria out and moisture in. Washing eggs removes that layer, making them more vulnerable to spoilage.
DO wash farm-fresh eggs right before using them.
DON’T wash them as soon as you bring them inside.
Storage Tips:
- You can keep unwashed eggs at room temperature for up to 2–3 weeks.
- Refrigerate washed eggs or unwashed ones if storing longer-term (up to 6 months).
Grocery Store Eggs
Commercial eggs have already been washed and sanitized per USDA guidelines, so they’re safe and ready to use. However, that also means their bloom is gone, so you don’t want to re-wash them.
DON’T wash store-bought eggs; it can actually increase contamination risk.
DO store them in the refrigerator and use within 3 weeks.
How to Wash Dirty Farm Eggs (Safely)
If you’ve got visibly dirty eggs, wait to wash them until just before you are ready to use them. Then, follow this process:
- Use warm running water. Most experts recommend the water to about 20°F warmer than the egg.
- Gently scrub the egg with your fingers or a soft sponge (no soap needed!).
- Dry with a clean towel and use immediately.
Where Should You Store Eggs?
- Store in a carton, pointy side down (this helps keep the yolk centered and slows moisture loss).
- Avoid putting eggs in the door or on the top shelf of your refrigerator. The middle shelves are best as they have a more even, stable temperature.
What’s the Bottom Line?
At the end of the day, whether you wash your eggs or not depends on where they came from and how you plan to use them. If you grabbed them from a grocery store carton, don’t bother. They’ve already been washed and coated to keep them safe. If you’re lucky enough to collect farm-fresh eggs straight from the coop, just give them a quick check for dirt and clean them only before you’re ready to crack ‘em.
Remember: the goal isn’t to scrub them like you’re detailing your car, it’s just to keep things safe in the kitchen. Trust the bloom, respect the egg, and keep breakfast sunny-side up.
About the Author:
Brand Wind is a graphic designer at Dutch Apron® Bakery where he creates a wide variety of materials pertaining to a variety of delicious desserts; his portfolio includes social media promotions, motion graphics, and, occasionally, lending an (actual) hand to make sure each recipe turns out just right. Brandon lives in Iowa with his wife and three children and enjoys creating his own comic books, playing guitar with his band, and going on whatever adventure his wife has planned for the weekend. He strives to be a constant reminder to his kids that, no matter how old you get, you can still be young at heart!
