topic Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb? in Community Chat

How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:55:44 GMT

My daughter has a small lamp and put in a bulb that mimics daylight. It's next to her chair in LR for when she handsews her quilt bindings.

Last night our kitten saw a ladybug on the shade and jumped up and knocked the lamp off the table. Luckily the bulb didn't break into shards but snapped off at the base. The end is still scre*ed into the lamp.

Anyone know how to get it out. My only thought was pliers?

Both the kitten and the ladybug survived unscathed.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

I am still oxox — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:57:50 GMT

Unplug it and use an oven glove to protect you hand and try to get it out

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

Runner26 — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:00:48 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2 I've read somewhere to use a potato.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

Pamita — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:10:44 GMT

Good morning,

I learned of a way to get broken bulbs out of fixtures but haven't tried it. Unplug the lamp, of course. Cut a potato in half ad jam the raw potato into the remainder of the bulb and unscrew. I hope this helps.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

cowboy sam — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:16:06 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2

I used pliers once and it worked...got it all out!

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

BklynKinsey — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:25:18 GMT

There is a gadget called the broken light bulb extractor that you can buy at your local hardware store or online at around $10. It has two different size heads that can be attached to a pole, if necessary, for ceiling fixtures. I have used it for various size broken bulbs and it works like a charm.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

MalteseMomma — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:41:22 GMT

If it cannot be unpluged ,I use a wooden close pin to remove it.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

MalteseMomma — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:39:30 GMT

@cowboy sam wrote:
@CrazyKittyLvr2

I used pliers once and it worked...got it all out!

@cowboy sam

careful you do not get an electric shock!

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

NicksmomESQ — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:43:21 GMT

It happened to me a few years ago. I called an electrician he said it would cost $150.I decided to tackle it myself. I turned the power off & used a pliers. It came out in about 30 seconds.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

Pearlee — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:46:39 GMT

OP I'm sure there are answers also if you simply Google your question. 🙄

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

Cakers3 — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 14:14:32 GMT

Good thread for suggestions-I never knew about the light bulb extractors. Honestly never had a broken light bulb but I did know about the potato technique.

Yes, we can all Google. If we leave everthing to Google, might as well shut down this whole community.

Like any other topic-why bother discussing here; just Google. Unless, of course, it's a topic that matters to you. Then by all means, post.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

CelticCrafter — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 14:22:28 GMT

Cut a potato, shove the cut end into the base and untwist it.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

SilleeMee — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 15:23:16 GMT

Like they say..."A picture (YouTube) is worth a thousand words."

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

itsmagic — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 15:42:51 GMT

I’ve also used pliers but make sure the lamp is unplugged first!😃

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

sidsmom — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:37:19 GMT

Was I the only one who thought this sounded like a Dad Joke?

Dad: How do I remove a broken lightbulb?

Everyone: I dunno, Dad, how DO you remove a broken lightbulb?
[yuks, chuckles]

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

FranandZoe — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:42:16 GMT

Pliers for sure. A potato just makes a mess.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

cbrite — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:43:30 GMT

@Runner26 wrote:
@CrazyKittyLvr2 I've read somewhere to use a potato.

Potatoe works! I've used it.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

Fressa — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:44:57 GMT

I've used pliers or tweezers depending on the size of bulb base. I would also tryp duck tape once you are able to lossen it a bit. Make sure you have some kind of gloves on yur hands.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

SilleeMee — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:50:30 GMT

Wad up a bunch of duct tape, sticky side out, and make the wad big enough to put inside the socket then start turning.

Re: How Do I Remove A Broken Lighbulb?

hckynut — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:50:43 GMT

@CrazyKittyLvr2

A lamp with a plug poses no danger. There have been many that have broken with enough of the base to just grab it with my fingers. For others I use a long nosed pliers.

A simple reminder: make sure it is turned "counter-clockwise", sounds simple, but it doesn't hurt to have that reminder.

hckynut