How to Wash Farm Fresh Eggs (And When You Shouldn't Wash Them) (2024)

Updated: Feb. 22, 2024

If you've recently received a carton of farm fresh eggs, you might be wondering how to wash fresh eggs so they aren't covered in bits of feather, grass or dirt.

Eggs are so versatile and nutritious that they’re found in almost every kitchen. But even though people use eggs so frequently, figuring out the rules on how to store eggs, how long can eggs sit out and when and how to wash fresh eggs can be tricky. Afterall, they don’t go through the same sanitation process as USDA-graded eggs.

If you’re lucky enough to live near a poultry farm or farmers market, you might have a couple cartons of fresh farm eggs stacked on your counter. Before you start adding them to egg casseroles or boiling them for egg salad recipes, here’s everything you should know about when and how to clean them.

Should you wash eggs?

Commercially packaged eggs from the supermarket should not be washed. This is because water can seep into the porous egg shells and contaminate the egg inside. All USDA-graded eggs from the grocery store have been washed using specially approved cleaners. These eggs should be kept in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them, and any cracked eggs you find in the carton should be discarded.

If, however, you get eggs from a local farmer or farmers market, those eggs are not USDA-graded, and therefore do not go through a cleaning process before they’re sold. Because of this, fresh eggs are often covered in contaminants like dirt, feathers, poop and salmonella. If the shell of the egg isn’t washed properly, these contaminants can end up in your food and spread on cooking surfaces and equipment.

The catch is that you shouldn’t wash these contaminants off the fresh eggs until right before you use them or put them in the fridge. Why? Eggs have a natural coating called a “cuticle” or “bloom” that protects the contents from bacteria. 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, immediately cook them or store in the fridge. If you leave your fresh eggs unwashed, they can remain out on the counter for several weeks.

How to Wash Fresh Eggs

An egg’s journey from coop to carton can be dirty, but it’s an easy fix with a proper wash! Here’s how to wash fresh eggs so they’re safe to eat.

Step 1: Rinse the eggs in warm water

Cool water is more likely to transport bacteria through an egg shell, so make sure that your wash water is between 90° and 120°F. 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, since the carton will still have contaminants like feathers, dirt and feces.

Step 3: Sanitize the eggs

Dip each rinsed egg into a santizing 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

Promptly store fresh eggs in the fridge if you’re not eating them right away. Yes, there is a right way that eggs should sit in a carton! Store the eggs pointy-side down and round-side up to center the yolks. This keeps the eggs fresher longer.

Step 3: Wash your hands and your work space

Even if you’ve cleaned your eggs, it’s still important to wash your hands and sanitize the sink so that all contamination gets removed and doesn’t spread to other kitchen surfaces.

Wondering how organic eggs taste compared to conventional eggs? We’ve done that taste test.

How to Store Eggs

Eggs last a surprisingly long time in the fridge. All eggs should be kept in the refrigerator at 40° or below and used within three weeks when possible, although five weeks is still considered safe.

Now that you know what to do with your eggs when you get them home from the farmers market, check out some of our favorite egg recipes:

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How to Wash Farm Fresh Eggs (And When You Shouldn't Wash Them) (2024)

FAQs

How to Wash Farm Fresh Eggs (And When You Shouldn't Wash Them)? ›

If there are small amounts of debris or feces, wipe eggs with a towel or sandpaper. Do not scrub as you may damage the shell. If the eggs are dirty, you can wash them. Using 90-120°F, wash eggs and remove debris.

What is the proper way to clean farm fresh eggs? ›

You can rinse off your eggs or fill a bowl of warm water and gently scrub with a cloth or paper towel until clean. With this method, the bloom is no longer intact, so you will have to store these eggs in the fridge. Be sure to wipe your eggs dry after washing.

Why shouldn't you wash fresh eggs? ›

Eggs have a natural coating called a “cuticle” or “bloom” that protects the contents from bacteria. 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, immediately cook them or store in the fridge.

Can you wash farm eggs with Dawn? ›

There are many ways to wash an egg, but the temperature of the wash water is the key factor, he said. The wash-water must be warmer than the egg. Avoid using dish soap or scented cleaning solutions as they can affect the eggs' taste.

Are farm eggs better washed or unwashed? ›

Unwashed eggs have a protective layer called a cuticle (also referred to as the bloom) and can be stored on the counter. This protective coating works by sealing the shell's pores and preventing air from penetrating it, helping to keep bacteria out. Washing eggs removes the cuticle.

Do I need to wash fresh eggs before cracking? ›

No. It's not necessary or recommended for consumers to wash commercially packaged eggs, and it may actually increase the risk of contamination because the wash water can be "sucked" into the egg through the pores in the shell. When the chicken lays the egg, a protective coating is put on the outside by the hen.

Can I use vinegar to wash eggs? ›

Some small producers use a solution of distilled white vinegar diluted in half with water to wipe their eggs. Vinegar can aid in removing stains from the shell and is known to have antibacterial properties due to its acidity (Entani et al., 1998).

How to clean eggs to prevent salmonella? ›

Warm to hot water causes the egg contents to expand which helps prevent bacteria from being pulled in through the pores. Colder temperatures will cause egg contents to contract and pull in any bacteria on the shell surface. Wash off any visible contamination. Wash eggs individually.

How long do unwashed eggs last? ›

Unwashed eggs have what is called a “bloom” or coating that protects them. These unwashed eggs can sit on your counter and be just fine for 2-3 weeks. Pop those unwashed eggs in the fridge and they are good up to 3 months! If you wash them and place them in the fridge, they are good for 2 months.

Should farm fresh eggs float or sink? ›

Place your eggs in the water. If your eggs sink to the bottom and lie flat on their sides, they are very fresh. If your eggs stand on one end at the bottom, they are a few weeks old, but still fine to eat. If your eggs float to the surface, they are no longer fresh.

Do you have to refrigerate eggs after washing them? ›

Unwashed eggs have a protective layer called a cuticle and can be stored on the counter. This protective coating helps keep bacteria out. Washing eggs removes the cuticle. As a result, washed eggs must be refrigerated to prevent contamination.

How do you tell if farm fresh eggs are good or bad? ›

First, fill a bowl or glass with about four inches of cold water and gently place your egg(s) inside. Very fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lay on their sides. If an egg stays at the bottom but stands on its small end, it's still acceptable to eat; just not quite as fresh.

Can you use vinegar to clean fresh eggs? ›

Some small producers use a solution of distilled white vinegar diluted in half with water to wipe their eggs. Vinegar can aid in removing stains from the shell and is known to have antibacterial properties due to its acidity (Entani et al., 1998).

How do you clean fresh eggs USDA? ›

Should you also wash eggs at home? No. It's not necessary or recommended, and it may increase the risk of contamination because the wash water can be drawn into the egg through pores in the shell. Retail eggs are washed under controlled conditions to ensure egg safety and quality.

Does washing eggs prevent salmonella? ›

Egg washing not only can be highly effective at removing Salmonella Infantis from the egg shell surface, but also allows subsequent trans-shell and trans-membrane penetration into the egg. Consequently, it is important to prevent recontamination of the egg after washing.

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