Egg Handling & Storage Tips
Washing Optional
As a general rule, eggs should not be washed immediately after collecting them. There is a natural bloom on the surface of the shell that keeps out air and bacteria. It’s important to leave the bloom intact in order to keep your eggs fresh.
Refrigeration Optional
Eggs don't need to be refrigerated, but one day out on the counter at room temperature is equivalent to about a week in the refrigerator, so if you aren't planning on eating your eggs for a while, it is best to refrigerate them. They will keep about seven times longer. The decision to refrigerate or not is a personal one. In the UK, Ireland and many European countries, eggs aren't even refrigerated at the grocery store.
Quick Tip: Eggs separate better if they are cold, but whites will beat higher and stiffer if they are allowed to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
~refrigeration is your choice, sometimes it’s a matter of available space~
Proper Storage
Eggs should always be stored with the pointy end down and the blunt end up. The air sac in the blunt end helps keep additional moisture from being lost. Since eggshells are porous and will absorb odors, they should be stored in a carton or covered container.
Not sure if an egg is good?
If you are in doubt as to how old an egg is, just do the 'Float Test'. Drop the egg into a glass of water. A fresh egg will lay on the bottom of the glass. An egg that is two to three weeks old will start to rise up off the bottom of the glass. It is still perfectly good to eat, just not quite as fresh. It will also hard boil better/peel easier.
An egg that is two months old will start to angle up a bit more and by three months will stand up straight in the glass, but as long as one end is still touching the bottom, it's still perfectly good to eat. If an egg floats, it's very old and could be bad. Toss it.
Wash Just Before Using
When you are ready to use your eggs, simply rinse them under warm tap water. There is no need to use any soaps, detergents or commercial egg washes. Plain tap water works fine. Just be sure it’s warm to avoid drawing bacteria in through the shell. Save the eggshells and use them in your compost.
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2012/06/handling-and-storing-eggs.html