PIP'S TIPS - Do we or should we wash our eggs like the internet tells us?

9 September 2026

Should you wash your eggs?

I often get asked, "Should I wash my eggs?" In short - NO! And there's a fascinating reason why. When our hardworking ladies lay their eggs, each one is coated with something called a "bloom." Sounds fancy, right? Well, this bloom is basically Mother Nature's protective forcefield. It's a super-thin layer of liquid protein that covers the shell and dries within minutes, making the shell practically airtight for about 21 days.

What the bloom actually does

This clever bloom keeps bacteria out by sealing the shell, which is naturally permeable (yep, air can get through!). It's like a magical egg shield that protects what's inside. Once this bloom starts to wear off - don't worry, it does so naturally over time - air can slip into the egg, expanding that little air pocket inside. And that's when your egg starts ageing.

Want to know a cool trick? You can tell the age of your egg using the float test! Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom, older ones will hover, and really old ones? They'll float. So if you're not sure about the age of your eggs, just float 'em! I've gone into more detail on exactly how to read the results here: PIP'S TIPS - How Old Are My Eggs?

Why washing does more harm than good

Here's another reason we don't wash our eggs: washing actually removes this bloom, making the shell more vulnerable to bacteria. That's why you'll find some countries refrigerating their eggs - because they wash and sanitise them (looking at you, USA!). But here in NZ, our eggs are naturally protected by this brilliant bloom, so there's no need to mess with perfection.

So, keep your eggs just as they are - fresh from the coop, bloom and all! After all, who can outsmart Mother Nature?