How to properly wash eggs?

[Peppercorngal]

I have 8 pullets and so far we think 3 are laying. The first egg was laid on February 8th,
and it was a green egg from my EE Robin. The first brown egg (we will get green/blue and brown eggs) was most likely laid by our Barred Rock, Batman. I have been simply washing them with hot water, drying them, and putting them in an egg Carton. This has worked fine since I eat them pretty quick, but now the third layer is unknown, and I’m getting one or two eggs every day.

I’ve seen the egg washing stuff at stores, but I also heard that you don’t need the fancy stuff, and you can use what you have at home. I understand the hot water won’t keep them fresh and bacteria-free forever, so what can I use that I may find in my home, or is easy to make, or cheap?

You should not wash eggs. When laid they have a protective cover on them called "bloom". You should never wash an egg. If it's dirty you can use a very fine sandpaper to scrape off the dirt and leave the bloom. It keeps the egg "sealed" and bacteria can't get in. If you are using them yourself you shouldn't worry about a little dirt. If you are selling them, sell the clean ones and use the dirty one for yourself!

 

[GC-Raptor]

I use a nail brush under very warm water running water. . I let them air dry in an egg basket, that I hang over the sink. . Used only to dry clean eggs. I use a small pail to collect eggs. . I candle, put in an egg carton and refrigerate. I date a carton when full. GC