All the dangerous sharp pieces will stay in the potato and out of the socket (and your hands). This is much easier and safer than using metal pliers to remove it and risk getting cut or electrocuted. The potato should grip the base of the bulb and turn it while the socket remains still. Twist counter-clockwise; the potato should allow the base of the bulb to turn while the socket stays still. For Badly Corroded Bulbs. In this video, learn how to remove a broken light bulb with a potato. The potato should cover most of the broken areas of the bulb. But that doesn't solve your loose fitting issue. Some areas will not recycle broken glass. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Always use a gentle pushing motion. Clean the light socket out and make sure it is dry before adding the new light bulb. First, unplug the lamp if you already haven't. Just a double safe point. Ever had a lamp fall over causing the bulb to break? Things that bore my peers in school, fascinate me. Without the protective glass bulb, it can be easy to electrocute yourself if you touch the exposed wires of the light bulb. Work slowly and carefully while remove the bulb. Broken glass is very sharp and can cut you easily. Press … … Once you have your potato in the socket, just unscrew it like you would normally unscrew a light bulb. 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. Turn off the power. Then press it gently against the socket and twist counter-clockwise. Then, when I got home from the pool, Beth said, how about removing the the broken light bulb with a potato. Carve one end of the potato into a cylinder small enough to fit inside the base but engage it – about ¾”in diameter. 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. Turn the potato counterclockwise, and the base should turn with it. Start by using the bigger half of the potato first. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This article has been viewed 54,163 times. Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Thank you very much. Otherwise, just double check to be sure. This method is simple, but proceed slowly and cautiously that you do … 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. 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. Now safely unscrew the broken light bulb counterclockwise until the bulb is free from the lamp base. But eating wasn’t the answer. First, first, first, make sure the light is turned OFF. The old method that has always been touted as the best way to remove a broken light bulb has been to use a potato. Just make sure you don't eat the potato afterwards. Don't worry if one half of the potato is bigger than the other. Be ready for the broken bulb to fall out of the socket. By using our site, you agree to our. Needle Nose Pliers. Really! Weblog DIY Life offers a simple but effective solution for changing a lightbulb if the bulb's been broken: use a potato. The potato will grip the base of the bulb. Always make sure the power is off before removing the bulb. You probably wondered how you were going to extract the remaining bulb base without mauling your hand. See more ideas about baked sandwiches, ham cheese sliders, party sandwiches. Twist until it comes loose. Now, heat the threaded part over the stove or a lighter until it gets soft. If your light bulbs are always difficult to remove, read further for ways you can solve this problem. If you are unsure of what size potato you might need, pick the largest one you have handy. … 6. ****caution: before doing this ensure that the light is turned off at the switch also wearing protective gloves is recommended. I went to replace the lightbulb in a lamppost when the glass part broke off, leaving the base metal part stuck in the socket. Nov 15, 2018 - Explore Desiree Krieger's board "Potato light bulb" on Pinterest. You won't be able to fully dry off the exposed, inner part of the potato. If there is any filament wires remaining grab some wire cutters and snip them off. Push into the light bulb base. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 54,163 times. But, I didn’t want to drink away the drama. Now instead of using the pliers to twist you use it to break the bulb glass. Make sure that the broken light bulb is no longer receiving any power before proceeding. How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb From a Refrigerator Socket By Chris Deziel Things You'll Need. Break off any remaining glass, being very careful while doing so. Now for the actual removal process. Fill any gaps in the base … :), Participated in the Electronics Tips and Tricks. One thing that has really interested me is organic chemistry, it systematic nature is beautiful…. See more ideas about potato light bulb, science fair projects, dog kisses. – bib Nov 27 '18 at 12:30. Coat the end of the wood in hot glue. {"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":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Pick-up-What-You-Sweep-with-a-Newspaper-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Pick-up-What-You-Sweep-with-a-Newspaper-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Pick-up-What-You-Sweep-with-a-Newspaper-Step-1.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Pick-up-What-You-Sweep-with-a-Newspaper-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

License: Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Climb-a-Ladder-Safely-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Climb-a-Ladder-Safely-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Climb-a-Ladder-Safely-Step-4.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Climb-a-Ladder-Safely-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":317,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":501,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-2.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/27\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3Bullet1.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-3Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/10\/Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4Bullet1.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Remove-a-Broken-Light-Bulb-with-a-Potato-Step-4Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Dispose-of-Antifreeze-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Dispose-of-Antifreeze-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Dispose-of-Antifreeze-Step-11.jpg\/aid3513191-v4-728px-Dispose-of-Antifreeze-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\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. No cuts or glass stuck in your hand. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Make sure the light switch is turned off. An old trick to remove a broken light bulb was to wedge a raw potato into the base of the bulb and rotate. Yes, the potato will hold all the glass inside. If a light bulb breaks off in the socket while trying to remove it, use a small raw potato to remove the broken bulb. You should be confident that the bulb is turned off. If your bulb base is really stubborn, use hot glue and a 1/2 x 1/2-in. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The solution is to remove the base of the light bulb from the light socket. Focus on drying off the parts of the potato that still have skin on them. Make sure the light switch is turned off. Slice the potato into half. a quick video on how to remove a light bulb base with a potatovery smart and fast. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. When one of your light bulbs break and you need it removed from the socket, use half a raw potato. Grab a little potato. Do not remove the light bulb when the power is on. Breaking a light bulb while it's still in the light fixture can be a real pain.