Removing Broken Light Bulbs

Date: 03/14/2005 Topics: Home Improvement > Lighting and Electric | Old Categories > Home

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Use a cut potato to grab and pull a broken light bulb out of its socket to avoid cutting oneself.

By blterri

Editor's Note: The first thing you should do is make sure the light is turned off or lamp is unplugged. One thing you can do that's even better than a potato is crumple up newspaper into a tight ball and use that to turn and unscrew the broken light bulb. The ball of newspaper won't contain as much water as a potato does.

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RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By martin (Guest Post)

How do I remove a broken off compact fluorescent bulb? The 2 inch base is too large for any tool I can find, and there isn't enough glass left for the potato to get a grip on.
Posted on 02/08/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By patsy (Guest Post)

Thanks Vanessa for the new bulb suggestion! It did the trick and saved me from dragging all of the kids out to Lowes to get a needle nosed plier.
Posted on 12/03/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By Dave (Guest Post)

Thanks Vanessa! New bulb trick worked
Posted on 10/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By ML (Guest Post)

Props to Vanessa! The new light bulb method worked like a charm. Just used a new light bulb to back out the broken off one. Make sure the light is turned off.
Posted on 07/18/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By (Guest Post)

Another object you can use to take out a broken light bulb is a bar of soap. Just insert the edge of soap and twist but make sure the bar of soap is dry.
Posted on 06/01/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By Rachel (Guest Post)

Actually I was told to use a cardboard tampon to twist the broken end out. It will not conduct electricity and it worked!
Posted on 11/16/2007 | Report Spam or Abuse

RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By Vanessa Amadin (Guest Post)

Another thing you can try is using a new light bulb to unscrew the old broken socket, it works great when the borken socket is screwed on tight
Posted on 02/17/2006 | Report Spam or Abuse

Remove a Broken Light Bulb

By ThriftyFun (3427) Profile Blog! Contact

If a light bulb breaks off in the socket while trying to remove it, use a small raw potato to remove the broken bulb. Lightly push the potato on the broken end of the bulb and turn to unscrew.

This is much easier and safer than using metal pliers to remove it and risk getting cut or electrocuted. Always turn off the circuit breaker when changing a ceiling bulb and pull the power plug on a lamp. An apple might work as well, though I have only used potatoes. This is a great trick :)

By hedrivesz
Posted on 03/23/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse

RE: Removing Broken Light Bulbs

By terdralynn (82) Contact

Something else that works well is a thick sponge. I found this out when I had no potatoes (didn't even consider newspaper!). Anyone have any other ideas for things to use for this?

terry
Posted on 03/15/2005 | Report Spam or Abuse

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