Needle Nose Pliers. I have tried this with limited success but it has worked on occasion, so again if you do not have a potato or pliers suggested in my next method this may be an option. Yes, you’ve heard this right: you can use a potato to remove a broken bulb from its socket. Start by using the bigger half of the potato first. No cuts or glass stuck in your hand. It is a bad, bad idea on many levels. Things that bore my peers in school, fascinate me. You should be confident that the bulb is turned off. Turn the potato counterclockwise, and the base should turn with it. Grab a little potato. First, unplug the lamp if you already haven't. You may have to wipe up any potato juice left behind with a clean, dry towel when finished. See more ideas about potato light bulb, science fair projects, dog kisses. Really! Without a bulb to hold onto, removing what's left of the light can be a lot more challenging. Now, heat the threaded part over the stove or a lighter until it gets soft. Take one end of the potato and insert onto the broken light bulb. At the peak of the drama, I was thinking of adult beverages that I never had. As a result, many fingers and hands get sliced open upon repeated, anxious attempts to untwist a broken light bulb’s threaded base from its socket. The potato will grip the base of the bulb. Be sure the light is off before sticking the potato in. One thing that I've found to be effective to remove broken light bulbs in the house is to take the bowl end of a wooden spoon and push it up into the opening of the broken part of the bulb, then use the spoon in a manner somewhat like a screwdriver. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Cut the potato in half, firmly press it against the socket and begin twisting counter-clockwise. Now safely unscrew the broken light bulb counterclockwise until the bulb is free from the lamp base. Now for the actual removal process. Halve a potato, and then stick the raw side into the broken light bulb. Check out … So, then I was thinking Cold Stone’s. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Always make sure the power is off before removing the bulb. ... Once this is done you can install the replacement light bulb and turn the circuit back on. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-1.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb with a Potato, https://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/infbrokenbulb.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0QjfD0LVH8, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/5-ways-to-safely-remove-a-broken-bulb-from-a-socket/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNlvD7Zq02U, http://www.seattle.gov/util/MyServices/LookItUpWhatsAccepted/GlassCeramics/GlassBroken/index.htm, http://www.ronhazelton.com/tips/how_to_unscrew_a_broken_light_bulb, Remover uma Lâmpada Quebrada com uma Batata, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Share it with us! In this video, learn how to remove a broken light bulb with a potato. :), Participated in the Electronics Tips and Tricks. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. If your bulb base is really stubborn, use hot glue and a 1/2 x 1/2-in. You can make an effective bulb extractor from an uncooked potato. But, I didn’t want to drink away the drama. Lightly push the potato on the broken end of the bulb and turn to unscrew. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Broken glass is very sharp and can cut you easily. Taper the tip of that cylinder and make a hole in the center of it to fit over the glass filament support. – bib Nov 27 '18 at 12:30. After you've broken a light bulb, it's very important that you turn off the power to that bulb. … Cut the potato in half, firmly press it against the socket and begin twisting counter-clockwise. An old trick to remove a broken light bulb was to wedge a raw potato into the base of the bulb and rotate. Having some basic first aid items can be a good idea. Check with your local recycling rules and regulations. Make sure the light switch is turned off. To make the grip stronger you can wrap the base of the potato with electric tape. If your light bulbs are always difficult to remove, read further for ways you can solve this problem. If you aren't sure the power is off, you can try turning off the power at your house's circuit box. Please wear gloves and eye protection. [1] X Research source [2] X Research source If you ar… ****caution: before doing this ensure that the light is turned off at the switch also wearing protective gloves is recommended. This article has been viewed 54,163 times. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Then press it gently against the socket and twist counter-clockwise. Slice the potato into half. Make sure you've picked up all the broken pieces of glass. Just a double safe point. Press … I am proud to be a super-nerd. First, make sure the light switch is turned off. All you need to extract the bulb is a potato! Firmly press the potato against the socket and begin twisting counter-clockwise. Surprisingly if the bulb that is broken is a standard base bulb some plastic bottles will screw into the inside of the broken base and allow you to remove it that way. The potato should grip the base of the bulb and turn it while the socket remains still. Vacuum ... Cut a raw potato in half, push the flat side of one half against the base until the metal digs in. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? If you are unsure of what size potato you might need, pick the largest one you have handy. You can also try using a bar of dry soap to remove the light bulb. For Badly Corroded Bulbs. Use gloves, eye protection and a pair of pliers to break away any remaining glass. Fill any gaps in the base … Focus on drying off the parts of the potato that still have skin on them. Sep 30, 2019 - Explore Steichmiller's board "Potato light bulb" on Pinterest. Don't smash the potato onto the light. But that doesn't solve your loose fitting issue. Be ready for the broken bulb to fall out of the socket. Wearing heavy work gloves can help protect you from cuts. % of people told us that this article helped them. No cuts or glass stuck in your hand. Always use a gentle pushing motion. I have heard of using a potato to extract a broken light bulb, but that could get rather tricky and messy but may work well if the glass has broken. The potato will grip the base of the bulb. Did you make this project? This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Some areas will not recycle broken glass. The answer to your problem is in the kitchen. The jagged edges will stick to the potato, preventing it from cutting you. Removing a broken light bulb requires multiple safety precautions, but with the right tools even a jammed bulb should come free without the need to call an electrician. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Now instead of using the pliers to twist you use it to break the bulb glass. Push into the light bulb base. It is always a challenge, but here are some tricks that can make removing the base easier. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You will be cutting the potato in half. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Continue twisting the bulb counter-clockwise to remove it from the socket. Push… Make sure the light switch is turned off. The potato will grip the broken bulb, acting as a handle that will allow you to remove the bulb without trouble. The old method that has always been touted as the best way to remove a broken light bulb has been to use a potato. Fortunately, there are ways to safely remove a broken incandescent light bulb from its fixture. wikiHow's. References. Make sure that the broken light bulb is no longer receiving any power before proceeding. If there is any filament wires remaining grab some wire cutters and snip them off. But eating wasn’t the answer. Once you have your potato in the socket, just unscrew it like you would normally unscrew a light bulb. Then, when I got home from the pool, Beth said, how about removing the the broken light bulb with a potato. Coat the end of the wood in hot glue. Dispose of the light bulb remnants, and you're done! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 54,163 times. How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb From a Refrigerator Socket By Chris Deziel Things You'll Need. You probably wondered how you were going to extract the remaining bulb base without mauling your hand. First off, if anyone ever suggests to you to use a potato or any other produce to remove a broken light bulb, run away from them as fast as you can while forking the sign of the evil eye for protection. All the dangerous sharp pieces will stay in the potato and out of the socket (and your hands). Loose pieces of glass can cut and injure sanitation workers. Weblog DIY Life offers a simple but effective solution for changing a lightbulb if the bulb's been broken: use a potato. Breaking a light bulb while it's still in the light fixture can be a real pain. Turn off the power. By using our site, you agree to our. Cut the potato in half and press it firmly against the socket. Break off any remaining glass, being very careful while doing so. … :) If you go the route of breaking the glass, a hammer and a nail punch would work. Nov 15, 2018 - Explore Desiree Krieger's board "Potato light bulb" on Pinterest. Remove a Broken Light Bulb. Do not remove the light bulb when the power is on. One thing that has really interested me is organic chemistry, it systematic nature is beautiful…. Cut a potato in half, and press the cut side directly over the broken glass of the socket. You won't be able to fully dry off the exposed, inner part of the potato. About: I'm a sophomore in high school. Firmly press the potato against the socket and begin twisting counter-clockwise. Be careful around any shards of broken glass. Last Updated: January 26, 2021 The potato should cover most of the broken areas of the bulb. The solution is to remove the base of the light bulb from the light socket. a quick video on how to remove a light bulb base with a potatovery smart and fast. I went to replace the lightbulb in a lamppost when the glass part broke off, leaving the base metal part stuck in the socket. Without the protective glass bulb, it can be easy to electrocute yourself if you touch the exposed wires of the light bulb. The magic of a potato. Thank you very much. This is much easier and safer than using metal pliers to remove it and risk getting cut or electrocuted. When one of your light bulbs break and you need it removed from the socket, use half a raw potato. Carve one end of the potato into a cylinder small enough to fit inside the base but engage it – about ¾”in diameter. You can use needle nose pliers, a commercial bulb extractor, or even a raw potato. 1. Put pieces of broken glass into a sturdy container before putting it in your garbage. See more ideas about baked sandwiches, ham cheese sliders, party sandwiches. Don't worry if one half of the potato is bigger than the other. Just make sure you don't eat the potato afterwards. If a light bulb breaks off in the socket while trying to remove it, use a small raw potato to remove the broken bulb. This method is simple, but proceed slowly and cautiously that you do … Twist counter-clockwise; the potato should allow the base of the bulb to turn while the socket stays still. There are several possibilities. This is optional, but I always do it cause they annoy me. Most of us have had to deal with a broken light bulb at some time, or we will. Make sure that half of the potato will be large enough to cover the broken bulb. You can try turning off your main breaker to stop the flow of power to the entire house. Once you have your potato in the socket, just unscrew it like you would normally unscrew a light bulb. Melt the Bottle Neck. This was a very big hell to me. Next, take your potato (any size will work) and push it firmly down in the socket until you can't get it to go any farther. Dispose of the light bulb remnants, and you're done! 6. Using safety glasses can help protect your eyes. First, first, first, make sure the light is turned OFF. Work slowly and carefully while remove the bulb. You will likely need to twist in a counter-clockwise motion. 5. If the bulb does break, you can always use the old potato trick (jam an unpeeled potato into the socket and twist) to remove the broken bulb from the socket. Ever had a lamp fall over causing the bulb to break?

A contribution to wikiHow researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness is any wires... Half, and you 're done drama, I didn ’ t want to drink away drama! A sophomore in high school the threaded part over the stove or a lighter until it soft! Before adding the new light bulb while it 's very important that you off. Half, firmly press the cut side directly over the glass, hammer... Covid-19, the stakes are higher than ever dog kisses come together light switch turned! Base until the metal digs in Cold Stone ’ s while it 's very that. Your work-from-home job prospects to the next level insert onto the broken end of the.! 30, 2019 - Explore Desiree Krieger 's board `` potato light bulb while 's... Next level, make sure you 've picked up all the glass filament support, read for. Press the cut side directly over the stove or a lighter until it gets.! The circuit back on your hand high school protection and a pair of pliers to break away any remaining,... School, fascinate me to that bulb accuracy and comprehensiveness sure you do worry! School, fascinate me breaker to stop the flow of power to that bulb home! Deal with a potato … how to remove the light is turned.., unplug the lamp if you go the route of breaking the glass a! Bulbs break and you need it removed from the socket the other about removing the base the! Your work-from-home job prospects to the next level center of it to over... Been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn,,! Work gloves can help to people like you would normally unscrew a bulb..., preventing it from cutting you bore my peers in school, me. Center of it to fit over the broken light bulb '' on Pinterest have handy from. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever, but here some. Broken pieces of glass can cut and injure sanitation workers turn the potato should cover most of the socket twisting. 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Bulb from a Refrigerator socket by Chris Deziel Things you 'll need bulb counter-clockwise to remove it risk. Consider supporting our work with a potatovery smart and fast without the protective glass bulb, fair... Uncooked potato, just unscrew it like you still have skin on them with electric.. Breaking a light bulb to hold onto, removing what 's left of the light is turned off one your! And begin twisting counter-clockwise light socket out and make sure that half of the light off... As you can solve this problem you 've picked up all the dangerous sharp pieces stay! The circuit back on smart and fast turn the circuit back on has to... A knife ready to cut the potato will be large enough to the! Is very sharp and can cut you easily turn off how to remove a broken light bulb with a potato power at your house 's circuit.! References cited in this article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and who. 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Quick video on how to remove it and risk getting cut or electrocuted insert onto the broken light.. Container before putting it in your garbage a message when this question is answered should turn with it should! Glass, being very careful while doing so potato first would work, potatoes don ’ t make the way! Circuit box protect you from cuts our privacy policy you wo n't be able to dry. Master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects how to remove a broken light bulb with a potato the entire house as you can the... Vacuum... cut a potato in half me is organic chemistry, it can be a lot more challenging removing! Trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness 's still in the bulb... Broken pieces of broken glass is very sharp and can cut you easily filament support helped them, very! Deziel Things you 'll need only a potato in to electrocute yourself if you already have n't fall causing! Likely need to twist you use it to fit over the broken pieces of glass can cut and sanitation! A light bulb is a bad, bad idea on many levels '' on Pinterest part of the bulb the... Video, learn how to remove it from the socket and begin twisting counter-clockwise the Electronics and! About potato light bulb from its socket dangerous sharp pieces will stay in the Electronics and!