EGGS storage rules

Here’s a complete breakdown of safe storage times for both washed and unwashed eggs — and it’s really helpful whether you’re a homesteader, a seller, or just sustainable homestead-obsessed 🥚😉

🧼 Washed Eggs – Storage Guidelines

When eggs are washed, the natural bloom (protective coating) is removed. This makes them more vulnerable to bacteria and moisture loss, so refrigeration is essential.

🧊 “Washed eggs must be refrigerated — even a short time at room temperature increases Salmonella risk.“

Well… In my childhood unwashed eggs were stored at room temperature for 2-3 months. This is over cautious UDSA requirements, let’s stick with them:

🌿 Unwashed Eggs – Storage Guidelines

Unwashed eggs still have their bloom intact, which naturally seals the shell and keeps out bacteria. That’s why they can safely sit at room temperature, as long as they’re clean and uncracked.

💡 Once unwashed eggs are refrigerated, keep them cold — don’t bring them back to room temp (condensation risk).

🧠 Summary Cheat Sheet:

🥚 Bonus homestead tips or what I do to make sure that eggs are fresh:

• I label cartons with the collection date.
• I rotate eggs (first in, first out), we have special process and instructions for that and the separate refrigerator.
• If eggs are dirty (we have all clean eggs, as my neighbor said, “why it’s smell like perfume in your coop?!”) But sometimes 1% of eggs can be poopy, so if they are, they go for “home consumption“, we wash them before consuming and do the crack checking and floating test before.
• Float test older eggs if unsure (sinks = fresh, floats = gas buildup).
• Always discard cracked or uncertain eggs or those with poop deeply embedded in the shell.

Next article will be about salmonella outbreak on the grocery store shelves and how to protect your family and why the homestead eggs are safer.