How to Remove a Broken Base on a Lightbulb

When the lightbulb breaks in the socket you must remove the remainder carefully.

Changing a burned-out lightbulb is usually very simple. You unscrew the old one, remove it and replace it with a new lightbulb. But when the old light bulb is screwed in too tight or you accidentally turn it the wrong way, you can end up with the upper half of the lightbulb broken off in your hand while the bottom half remains in the socket. To use your light, you must remove the broken base of the lightbulb, using caution, so you're not cut in the process.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Safety goggles
• 1 bar soap
• Needle nose pliers
• Paper bag

Instructions

1. Turn off the electricity going to the room where the broken lightbulb is by shutting off the circuit and unplugging the light. Wear work gloves and put on safety goggles so your skin and eyes are protected if the lightbulb base shatters while you're removing it.

2. 

   Bar soap safely helps remove a broken lightbulb.

   Stick the corner of a bar of soap into the lightbulb base stuck in the socket. The jagged edges of broken glass will sink into the soap, helping to secure the bulb in the soap. Slowly turn the broken bulb counterclockwise to loosen it from the socket.

3. 

   Needle nose pliers have a longer grasping area for holding onto long, thin surfaces.

   Grasp the loosened lightbulb by the socket using a pair of needle nose pliers. Hold onto the bulb base while continuing to turn the bulb until it comes out.

4. Place the broken bulb in a paper bag and discard in a safe place. Put a new lightbulb in the socket before restoring the electrical power to the light.

Tips & Warnings

• Always turn off electrical power before changing lightbulbs or making minor electrical repairs.

• Substitute a potato for the bar of soap to help unscrew the broken lightbulb.

• Keep children and pets out of the room when a lightbulb breaks. Small shards of glass can spread all over the floor and on furniture. Vacuum, sweep and mop thoroughly to ensure no one gets hurt.

References

• Ask the Electrician: How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb From the Socket
• Reader's Digest: 8 Superb Uses for Soap: Remove a Broken Lightbulb