Washing Eggs?

[Leah and peeps]

I have been wondering.... after a hen lays an egg and you collect the eggs do you have to wash the egg's shell before eating the yolk and whites inside ?. And if you do, with what ?

 

[greyhorsewoman]

You do not have to wash clean eggs you collect from your hens. There is a natural protective 'bloom' on the egg. You do not have to refrigerate clean eggs for several days (I've even gone weeks) and they will stay fresh.

Not all eggs will be clean when you collect them. I personally clean dirty eggs with warm water only. There are some commercial egg washes and others use various things, but eggs are porous and may absorb anything you scrub with. It is generally recommended to refrigerate washed eggs as the protective bloom has been removed.

There are a LOT of existing threads about whether to clean or not clean eggs. Do a search for more input.

 

[Judy]

I agree, I only wash an egg that has poop on it, which is rare as the hens sleep on roosts.

If you choose to wash, be sure the water is warmer than the egg. This encourages any bacteria to move out of the egg rather than in.

 

[Leah and peeps]

Thank you for the great info

 

[dw_618]

i agree with the previous posts...just make sure its warm water, as if cold water you might have done nothing except waste your time.

 

[Monk]

I was told if you wash an egg, you should dip it in mineral oil. Anything true to that? I have never done that as eggs don't last long around here?

 

[Leah and peeps]

It's strange but i once heard to wash or rinse the eggs with water and white viniger mixed together, any thoughts?

 

[Debbienmousey]

We only wash our eggs right before we eat them. (Or sometimes we will wash them if we're going to incubate them, but again, we only wash them right before we're going to set them.)

 

[mtnhomechick]

I always wash them in HOT water and dry them with a towel.

 

[Leah and peeps]

Thanks for all the replys everybody, this info. has helped me a lot !