Viral videos often show people scrubbing eggs with soap and water before refrigerating them, leaving many wondering if they have been storing eggs incorrectly for years. It seems like washing them would make them cleaner and safer, but for most grocery-store eggs, the opposite is actually true. Food safety experts say that washing commercially sold eggs at home is unnecessary and may even increase the risk of bacteria entering the egg.

Eggshells may look solid, but they contain thousands of tiny microscopic pores. Freshly laid eggs are naturally coated with a thin protective layer known as the bloom, or cuticle. This invisible barrier helps seal the pores and prevents bacteria and moisture from passing through the shell.

In the United States and Canada, commercial egg producers wash and sanitize eggs before they reach stores. While this cleaning process removes dirt and contaminants, it also removes the natural bloom. Because the protective coating is gone, these eggs must be refrigerated throughout storage and transportation to remain safe.

Many European countries follow a different approach. Instead of washing eggs before sale, they leave the bloom intact. Since the natural protective layer remains in place, eggs can often be stored safely at room temperature for a period of time, provided they have been handled properly.

Washing store-bought eggs again at home may actually work against you. Running eggs under cold water can cause the contents inside the shell to contract slightly, creating a small vacuum that may draw water and surface bacteria through the shell’s open pores. This is one reason food safety specialists generally recommend leaving commercially cleaned eggs exactly as they are.

There is one important exception. Farm-fresh eggs that still have their natural bloom but are visibly dirty may need gentle cleaning. If this is necessary, use water that is warmer than the egg itself so the contents expand rather than contract, avoid using soap, dry the eggs immediately afterward, refrigerate them promptly, and plan to use them relatively soon.

For everyday grocery-store eggs, the safest approach is also the simplest. Place them directly into the refrigerator in their original carton, store them on a middle or lower shelf instead of the door where temperatures fluctuate more, and cook them thoroughly before eating.

Although washing eggs may seem like an extra step toward cleanliness, it usually provides no added benefit for commercially sold eggs. Understanding how eggs are processed and stored helps explain why leaving them unwashed is often the safest choice. By following proper storage practices, you can reduce food safety risks while avoiding an unnecessary kitchen chore.