How to Make a Light Bulb Easier to Remove from the Socket

Do you have an old light fixture that grips the light bulb in a way that makes it difficult to remove? If too much stress is applied while trying to remove the bulb, it will often cause the bulb to shatter. This article teaches a simple way to make light bulbs easier to remove.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Lightbulb
• Bar of Soap

1. When installing or removing a light bulb into an overhead light fixture, it is wise to wear protection for your eyes. Position the light switch for the light fixture to the OFF position. Carefully remove the installed light bulb from the light socket. If the bulb shatters, you will need to remove the metal base from the socket before proceeding.
2. Collect bars of hotel soap to use for projects like this one. Find a new light bulb which has never been installed. Rub the threads of the metal base of the new light bulb with the bar of soap. Be careful not to cover the bottom tip of the metal base with soap because it needs to make solid contact with the metal piece inside the base of the light socket.
3. Carefully install the new light bulb into the socket. The next time the bulb must be replaced, it should be noticeably easier to remove from the socket.
4. Position the switch for the light fixture back into the ON position to test the new light bulb. If the room is illuminated, you have completed your task.

Tips & Warnings

• Collect extra bars of soap each time you stay in a hotel. Use this soap to coat the metal threads of the light bulb instead of the soap that you bathe with.
• Always use caution when handling electrical devices!
• Wear eye protection to change the bulbs in overhead light fixtures.