Funny Nature & Travel Art & Stage Going Viral Science Greetings Inspirational

Edit Profile Recently Viewed Favorites

Main > Tips & DIY > Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

Is It Safe to Vacuum Broken Glass?

By: Natalia J.

Add to Favorites In Favorites

Español

Font Size:

A+ A-

A single broken glass can scatter into hundreds of shards and create a dangerous mess in your home. You may be tempted to pull out the vacuum and clean it up right away, but not every type of vacuum cleaner will survive this venture. Below we explain what kind of vacuum you can and cannot use to clean glass shards, and how to clean up glass safely and responsibly.

1. Prepare the premises and gear up

Start by clearing the area of kids and pets to prevent any accidents. Then put on a pair of closed shoes, sturdy gloves, and eye protection. Last but not least, turn on the brightest lights you can to see all the shards of glass. If the area is poorly lit, use a flashlight to illuminate the broken glass pieces and make them easier to spot.

2. Clean up the big pieces

Begin by cleaning up the larger pieces of glass with a broom and dustpan. A stiff-bristled broom works best for this task. Use short sweeping motions to prevent any small pieces from flying away in all directions. Collect the broken glass in a dustpan.

3. Use a handheld vacuum for easy cleaning

Let’s start with a word of warning - a vacuum with a flexible hose should never be used to clean up broken glass. The glass shards can cut tiny holes in the hose and make it less effective at cleaning dust and dirt in the future. That being said, a portable vacuum without a flexible hose can certainly work for this type of task.

Related Article: Stop Cleaning Your Glasses With a T-Shirt, Do This Instead

4. Use a thick bag to dispose of the broken glass

When you’re done, avoid throwing the broken glass into the regular trash. Instead, collect the pieces in a thick paper bag or sturdy plastic trash bag. Wear gloves while you’re transferring the broken glass. If your handheld vacuum has a disposable collection liner, it’s still safer to place it in a trash bag before throwing it in the trashcan.

5. Get every tiny shard

Even after sweeping and vacuuming the floor, you may notice tiny shards of glass shining here and there. There are several safe ways to pick up all of those without a trace, here are the best ones:

Fold a paper towel into three layers. Dampen the paper towel and press firmly over the broken glass. The tiny glass pieces should stick to the paper towel right away. Fold the paper towel in half and place it with the rest of the broken glass. Repeat with a fresh sheet if necessary.
Press a slice of soft bread onto the broken shards. Dispose of it right away.
Slice a potato in half and place it over the glass shards cut side down. Then throw away the potato immediately.
Pick up the glass with a lint roller designated for removing lint and hair from clothing.
Wrap a piece of duct tape around your finger with the sticky side on the outside. Press the duct tape over the glass shards, and then dispose of it promptly.

Once all the glass is in the trash, dispose of the bag you used to collect the broken glass. Then carefully rinse the broom, dustpan, and the bottom of your shoes to avoid spreading glass around the house.

H/T: The Spruce

Like Next Post Send Share WhatsApp

Copy Link

Did you mean:

Continue With: Facebook Google

By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy

Report copyright infringement

Print this content

You may also like:

Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

10 Surprising Uses For Shaving Foam At Your Home

Shaving Foam: Your New Underrated Stain Remover

Did you know shaving foam can be an unexpected cleaning hack at home?

Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

17 Bad Housekeeping Habits You’re Likely Unaware Of

These 17 housekeeping habits are some of the most undesirable out there.

Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

Putting Aluminum Foil in the Dishwasher - What Is It Good For?

Putting Aluminum Foil in the Dishwasher - What Does It Do?

Try this neat dishwasher trick to make your silverware as good as new!

Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

How to Clean and Organize a Leather or Fabric Wallet

Your wallet has more germs than a toilet, but most rarely clean theirs. This guide will walk you through deep cleaning and organizing your wallet.

Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

Elevate Box Cake to the Level of Homemade Goodness

Make Box Cake Look and Taste Homemade - 3 Easy Additions

If you want to take box cake to the next level, add these 3 types of simple ingredients.

Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

Non Toxic Washing Machine Cleaner – Easy DIY Recipe

Clean Your Washing Machine With This Easy DIY Cleaner

This natural DIY formula will keep your washing machine safe and clean.

Health

The 4 Stages and Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive autoimmune condition that can advance through four distinct stages, from early inflammation to severe joint damage.

Science and Technology

Study Indicates "Sweet Craves" Aren't Real

New Research Shows Eating Sweets Won't Make You Crave More

A groundbreaking new study challenges conventional wisdom, suggesting our preference for sweet tastes may be more stable than we think.

Send Comment

Related Topics: glass, life hacks, cleaning guide, cleaning tips, vacuuming, vacuum cleaner, useful to know, broken glass

Quizzes

Which Shade of Pink Matches You Perfectly?

We will ask you 12 questions about your life and inner world. You should answer honestly, and at the end of the test it will be revealed what the meaning of the shade of pink that best suits your character is.

HUGE General Knowledge Test

e've lined up 21 fun and tricky questions covering history, science, animals, food, geography and a few others.

How Do You Fall in Love?

Through carefully selected images, colors, and emotional connections, we'll uncover how you process feelings, how quickly you open up to others, and whether you seek excitement, security, or instant chemistry in your romantic connections.

Most popular in Tips, Life Hacks and DIY

17 Surprising Ways to Use Your Kitchen Utensils

I Never Knew I Could Use My Kitchen Utensils for That!

Toasters toast and coffee makers make coffee, and that's that, right? Wrong. These 17 kitchen utensils each have some extra surprising, unexpected uses.

10 Things You Shouldn't Leave on the Stove

10 Things You Should Never Leave on the Stove

Here are 10 things you should always keep away from the stove – even if it seems harmless.

5 Turmeric-Based Facial Masks For Removing Hair

Discover How to Use Turmeric to Remove Unwanted Hair

Turmeric is a wonderful spice from India that has a whole myriad of different applications. Here's how to make 5 turmeric-based masks for unwanted hair removal.