Remove Broken Light Bulbs Without Getting Cut or Shocked Using A Water Bottle

Step 3 Remove the Broken Light Bulb

GET OUT OF THE WAY
GET OUT OF THE WAY
GET OUT OF THE WAY
GET OUT OF THE WAY ...

... when you push and twist so you don't get glass on you. If you've ever had glass lodged under your skin or in your eye you'll know why I repeated that four times. Again, learn from my mistakes here.

Congratulations, now you've removed the entire bulb without getting cut or electrocuted.

PS if you put a tiny bit of petroleum jelly on the threads of the new bulb it will be easier to take out when it burns out next time.

Comments

[tommck]

Why not unplug it and use needle-nose pliers?

[prabbit22m]

Because people don't read the the other bazillion comments exactly like the one they just posted.

[tommck]

At the time I commented on this, there were 10 comments, so, I did do that.

[prabbit22m]

Sorry for the sarcasm. I was in really really bad mood on Tues. I don't know what's going on with your instructables page or website but there are 127 comments proior to yours. And, that's not including the hundreds of duplicate comments I deleted of people naming the other thousands of items that could be used. This instructable was created for a "save the bottle" contest. I should just delete it.

[awlakers]

stir stick for stirring paint is what i've always used..fits perfect.

[blodefood]

I have heard that you can also use a hard vegetable like a potato to remove a light bulb base. Just make sure the fixture is unplugged first and there is no moisture left after the potato is used. Cut away the embedded part and throw the rest in the compost.

[cyberpageman]

Petroleum jelly is an insulator, so don't use too much to lubricate the bulb threads.

[prabbit22m]

Yes, good point. Personally I use dielectric grease but I doubt that's a common household item. In either case I agree only a small amount should be used. Put a very small dab of it on your finger NO BIGGER THAN the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil. Maybe even half that size would be sufficient. Rub it into two fingers then rub the threads of the bulb. Does that sound about right?

[cyberpageman]

That sounds good--just enough to put a thin film on the threads.

[JayDub]

Thank you! Brilliant!

[rtermaat]

Thanks, I have 2 broken lights and have just been doing nothing for 6 months.

[baztastic]

I've also found that a similar effect can be achieved using a carrot, although yours seems a bit more re-usable.

[Snillet]

Does that mean we should be looking forward to a carrot-tastic instructable?

[ezuk]

Brilliant! I'm gonna try this some day.