Safe and Easy Methods to Remove a Broken Light Bulb
Light bulbs may occasionally shatter, and this is an inevitable aspect of their usage. Fortunately, a lot of contemporary bulbs come with more durable bases that make them simpler to take out of their sockets, even if the glass breaks.
If you have not upgraded to newer bulbs yet and are still using old incandescent or halogen ones, removing a broken bulb may be a little more difficult. The positive thing is that it's not as challenging as it appears, and chances are you already have the necessary tools at home. This article will cover how to remove a broken lightbulb from its socket safely.
Before You Start
Turn off the Light and Cut Power to the Circuit Breaker
Light bulbs illuminate through electric currents, which pose significant dangers when the bulb's interior is exposed after breaking. Before you attempt to handle a broken light bulb, ensure that the light switch to the fixture is completely turned off.
Simply switching off the light switch may not suffice, as some lights are controlled by multiple switches. To avoid any risk, it's crucial to be thorough. The electrical current from these fixtures can be very strong, potentially transforming a simple DIY fix into an emergency situation.
For broken bulbs in external lamps, make sure to unplug them. If the bulb is part of a wired fixture, be certain to switch off the correct circuit or remove the fuse entirely at your power breaker. Additionally, we suggest using a circuit tester to double-check that the power is indeed off at the broken bulb.
Put on Protective Gear
Given the risk of strong electric currents and broken glass, it's important to protect yourself with some basic safety precautions. Rubberized safety gloves are essential to prevent electric shocks through your hands and to shield them from sharp glass. Additionally, wearing safety glasses is advisable to guard against any splinters or fragments of glass that might fly during the removal process.
Before attempting to remove the bulb base, it’s smart to clear away the broken glass pieces. With the power off, use gloved hands or pliers to carefully snap off and discard any remaining glass shards. This will make the removal process safer and easier.
Grab Your Supplies
By selecting a specific method to replace a shattered light bulb, you will only need a few of the tools provided in the list to finish the job without any risk. Listed below are all the tools that can help you safely remove a broken light bulb.
- A sturdy trash bag for disposing of the shattered bulb
- Needle-nosed pliers, preferably with rubber handles for better grip
- A broken bulb extractor
- Quick-setting epoxy or a hot glue gun
- A wooden dowel approximately the same width as the bulb’s base
- A large potato
- A small paring knife
Methods to Remove a Broken Light Bulb
Pliers
If you have a pair of needle-nosed pliers at home, this should be your go-to method.
- Ensure the power is off and put on gloves and eye protection. Grasp the metal base of the filament (the thin metal coils inside the bulb) with your pliers.
- Squeeze firmly and gently twist the pliers counterclockwise.
Ideally, the metal base will unscrew, allowing you to remove the broken bulb with ease.
If the filament of the bulb is broken, either from the initial break or even when trying the above method, you can still use your pliers to extract the bulb.
1. Insert the pliers straight into the bulb's metal base and open them wide as possible, gripping the metal base from the inside.
2. Wrap the tips of your pliers with electrical tape for better grip.
3. Holding the pliers open with both hands, twist it counterclockwise to unscrew the base and take out the broken bulb.
Melted Plastic Bottle
A broken light bulb can also be removed from a light socket using a soda bottle.
1. Start by removing the cap and seal band from a soda bottle, leaving only the exposed threads.
2. Then, use a heat source like a stove or lighter to melt the bottle's tip and mold it into a cone shape.
3. After the bottle cools down, ensure the power to the light is turned off and any remaining glass is cleared from the bulb’s base.
4. Firmly press the bottle into the empty base of the bulb and twist counterclockwise while maintaining pressure against the socket.
5. After the base is removed, dispose of it properly, and you can keep the modified bottle for future use if desired.
The Potato Method
No tools on hand? No problem, grab a potato! This starchy staple can be surprisingly effective in removing a broken light bulb. If your broken bulb has filaments, glass, or other parts sticking out, follow these steps:
1. Cut an uncooked potato in half.
2. Press it into the bulb base, and gently twist while applying pressure.
If the bulb’s base is smooth, you can still use a potato, but with a slight modification:
1. Take a paring knife and carve one end of the potato into a cylinder small enough to fit inside the base but large enough to grip it from the inside.
2. You may also need to carve out a few spaces to accommodate other parts of the bulb.
3. Insert the carved end of the potato and rotate counterclockwise while applying pressure to unscrew the bulb base.
You can use the same method with a cork, soap, or duct tape wad.
Quick-Setting Epoxy or Hot Glue
Sometimes, broken bulbs are located in difficult-to-reach areas. In such cases, you can use quick-setting epoxy or hot glue to remove the bulb base from the socket.
1. First, ensure the power to the light source is off and remove any remaining glass from the base.
2. Mix a piece of epoxy putty and pack it into the bulb base.
3. Press a flat head screwdriver into the epoxy, then take the screwdriver out.
4. After allowing about five minutes for the epoxy to harden, use the screwdriver to unscrew the base from the socket.
Broken Bulb Extractor
If you prefer a more official solution, you can purchase a broken bulb extractor from your local hardware store for around $10.
The concept is similar to the previously mentioned methods.
1. First, turn off the power to the light and carefully remove any remaining glass.
2. Then, insert the broken bulb extractor into the bulb’s base, grip the handle to expand the tip of the extractor, and twist counterclockwise to remove the base.
Clean-Up
1. Make sure the socket is clear of any leftover glass or potato.
2. Wipe the socket out to make sure it’s clean and dry.
3. Vacuum up any glass that may have fell on the floor.
4. Throw the broken bulb in the trash.
FAQ
How Can I Prevent a Broken Bulb Next Time?
To prevent broken bulbs use bulb lubricant or consider upgrading to newer bulbs that offer more reinforced options.
Is It Safe to Use Metal Pliers to Remove the Bulb?
Metal pliers can be used safely to remove a broken light bulb as long as the power is turned off.
How Do You Remove a Light Bulb That Won’t Unscrew?
WD40 can be utilized to grease up a light bulb that is stuck. With some patience, it will eventually come loose.