Washing fresh eggs?

[MareeZoCool]

My Canadian Auntie raised chickens and sold the eggs. She'd wash them in a bowl of water with a drop or two of bleach, plus a few drops of dish soap. rinse under running water, then dry completely. Talking this over with other friends, I was told NEVER to use running water on a fresh egg. My Auntie had no problems, has anyone?

 

[Wynette]

THey are laid with a thin layer on them called the bloom; this closes off the pores, and it's what helps them stay fresher so much longer than store-bought eggs. You really don't need to wash them; I do not unless they're quite dirty. If you DO wash, make sure the water is warmer than the temp. of the egg; this way, the bacteria on the ouside won't be pulled into the egg.

 

[joedie]

That washes off the bloom which protects the egg from bacteria entering. If you wash off the bloom, the egg doesn't last as long.

 

[MareeZoCool]

THANKS! I love learning the truth - and the reasons for it!

 

[IggiMom]

Well, my hens often do get their eggs dirty. They free range and come inside to lay with muddy feet.

I wash the eggs off (under warm running water). I use a little natural bristle nail brush with a tiny bit of Dawn on it to clean them off. I have heard that soap will make the eggs taste funny. It doesn't. I do rinse them well.

Then I let them dry for a while, and I rub a VERY THIN coat of food quality mineral oil onto their shells and rub any excess off with a paper towel. This replaces the bloom.

My eggs keep fresh for ages and ages.

It also makes them very pretty.

I sell my eggs and people love them. I can sell all my hens will lay.

Except this week when I can't even get outside off the farm and neither can anyone else. So my fridge is full of eggs!

Catherine

 

[Nhbluebird]

I too do the same. Only if they are really dirty. I read it somewhere on here before. Don't remember where.