Most eggs sold in U.S. grocery stores are already washed, sanitized, and refrigerated under strict regulations. Rinsing them again at home doesn’t make them safer; it can actually increase risk. If your sink, hands, or water aren’t perfectly clean—or if the egg has hairline cracks—bacteria can be pushed through the shell once that delicate protective coating is disturbed. For these eggs, the safest move is simple: keep them cold in their carton and skip the rinse entirely.

Farm-fresh eggs are different. They often still have their natural “bloom,” the invisible barrier that blocks bacteria. If an egg is visibly dirty, gently clean it under lukewarm water that’s warmer than the egg, wash each one separately, dry it immediately, and refrigerate. Above all, wash your hands after handling eggs, discard any that are cracked, and cook them thoroughly. The real safety secret isn’t scrubbing harder—it’s respecting how eggs are already protected.