Do Eggs Need to Be Washed Before You Use Them?
Do You Need to Wash Eggs Before Cooking?
Whether or not you should wash eggs before using them is a more important question than most people realize—and the safest choice often depends on how those eggs were handled before they reached your kitchen. Proper egg handling can make a real difference when it comes to food safety.
“Eggs seem simple—smooth, ordinary, easy to overlook. But the way you treat them before cracking them open can determine whether your meal is safe or risky.”
Some home cooks rinse every egg as soon as they get them, assuming it removes germs. Others swear by leaving them untouched. The safest approach becomes clear once you understand a crucial part of an egg’s natural structure—a protective layer that can’t be restored once it’s washed away.
Nature’s Hidden Protective Layer: The Bloom
When a hen lays an egg, it’s coated with a thin, natural film called the cuticle, or bloom. This protective layer seals off tiny pores in the eggshell, acting like a shield against bacteria such as Salmonella.
Eggshells contain thousands of microscopic pores. With the bloom intact, those openings stay sealed. But once the bloom is washed off—especially with water cooler than the egg—the pores can draw bacteria into the interior of the egg.
In other words, washing an unprocessed egg can unintentionally lower its natural resistance to contamination.
Store-Bought Eggs
How you handle eggs depends largely on how they were processed.
In the U.S. and many other countries, commercial producers wash and sanitize eggs shortly after they’re collected. This process intentionally removes the natural bloom, but it’s done with controlled temperatures, approved sanitizers, and strict food safety standards. Afterward, the eggs are refrigerated to keep them safe.
Bottom line: Grocery store eggs are already cleaned and sanitized. Washing them again at home is unnecessary—and can actually raise the risk of contamination.
Farm-Fresh or Backyard Eggs
Eggs from small farms or backyard flocks are typically unwashed, meaning the natural bloom is still intact. This gives them built-in protection.
Tips for keeping farm-fresh eggs safe:
- Avoid washing until just before you plan to use the egg.
- If an egg is visibly dirty, gently wipe it with a dry cloth instead of rinsing.
- Discard any egg that is excessively soiled or cracked.
Simple Guidelines for Safe Egg Handling
No matter where your eggs come from, these habits help keep you safe:
Keep Everything Clean:
Wash your hands after handling eggs or their carton.
Store Properly:
- Refrigerate store-bought eggs at 40°F (4°C) or colder.
- Unwashed farm eggs can sit at room temperature for a short time, but refrigeration provides the best long-term safety.
Cook Thoroughly:
Ensure both the white and the yolk are fully cooked to reduce any bacterial risk.
