Warm water to wash eggs? Why?

[msgenie516]

Hi,

I know that the majority opinion is not to wash the eggs before refrigerating them. However, I have read that if one must wash an egg because it is unusually soiled, warm water should be used.

Since most people on this forum have more experience than I do, I have been blindly following this advice. But I am wondering, WHY should eggs be washed in warm water? There probably is an answer somewhere but I haven't been able to find it.

Thanks for your help! Genie

 

[CovenantCreek]

According to what I read in Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, it's to keep the pores closed so that bacteria doesn't get into the egg.

 

[MissPrissy]

CC is correct.

Water temperatures lower than the egg temp will cause bacteria on the outer shell to be pulled into the egg.