Were you washing them to use them straight away? I was always told not to wash them until you're just about to use them, and even then only to do it if they're really dirty and risk contaminating the contents. (Something to do with the egg shell being porous, and if you wash them you risk letting bacteria pass into the egg). My friends and neighbours don't mind the odd smudge on the shell - I even leave an occasional piece of straw or fluffy feather stuck to them - just adds to the 'organic, freshly produced' feel