How to Safely Clean Up Broken Glass
When glass breaks, it can scatter little pieces across a wide area, making it important to address the problem immediately. To ensure the safety of people and pets, there are several steps you should take.
First, put on a pair of thick gloves and closed-toe shoes to protect your hands and feet from sharp glass fragments. Then, carefully pick up any larger pieces of glass with a broom and dustpan or folded newspaper, and place them in a sealable container.
Next, use a damp paper towel or a piece of bread to pick up any smaller pieces of glass. Avoid using a vacuum or a brush, as they can spread the glass fragments and create a bigger hazard.
After you have removed all visible pieces of glass, use a flashlight to check for any remaining shards. If you find any, repeat the process until you are certain that all the glass has been removed.
Finally, dispose of the glass properly by sealing it in a thick plastic bag and labeling it as broken glass. If your local recycling center accepts glass, you may be able to dispose of it there. If not, dispose of it in your regular trash.
Remember, cleaning up broken glass is not a job that should be put off until later. Take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of everyone in your home.
Clear the Room and Gear Up: How to Clean Up Broken Glass Safely
Have everyone, including pets, evacuate the area where the glass has broken as quickly as possible.
Before starting the cleanup process, the designated cleaner should put on sturdy, closed-toe shoes, eye protection, and thick gloves.
Cleaning Up Broken Glass: Use Adequate Lighting.
To ensure you can spot every piece of glass, turn on all available lights in the room.
Consider using a LED flashlight or the flashlight feature on your smartphone to shine light across surfaces and angles, as the reflective surface of glass will glitter in the light.
Gathering the Large Shards: How to Pick Up Broken Glass Safely
Wearing gloves or using kitchen tongs, remove the larger pieces of glass from the area.
It is important to never touch the glass with bare hands to avoid injury. Dispose of the glass in a thick paper or triple-layered plastic bag, or wrap it in several layers of newspaper before placing it in the trash can.
Safely Dispose of Glass Shards After a Breakage
If there are any remaining tiny glass pieces, use a damp paper towel to pat the area gently.
You can also use a piece of bread to pick up the tiny shards, as the soft texture can catch the pieces. Discard the paper towel or bread in a thick paper or plastic bag.
Once all the glass has been removed, wipe the area down with a wet rag or mop to ensure all the tiny shards have been removed.
How to Safely Clean Up Broken Glass: Alternative Methods
Even after sweeping or vacuuming, there will still be tiny shards caught in carpet fibers, flooring joints, or tight corners.
Using the flashlight, you’ll see them lingering just waiting for a bare foot or hand. One way to get rid of them is with items from the pantry.
Wearing gloves, press a slice of soft, fresh bread onto the glass shards.
Be sure to dispose of the bread promptly. Alternatively, slice a potato in half to expose the interior flesh.
Press the cut side of the potato onto the glass shards to pick them up easily. Immediately discard the potato into the garbage—do not compost it.
Capture Tiny Glass Shards With Wet Paper Towels
Layer three sheets of paper towels or napkins together and fold them into a square shape.
Dampen the folded paper towel with water and press it gently onto the area where there might be remaining glass shards. The shards will stick to the wet paper towel for easy disposal.
Cleaning Up Broken Glass with a Lint Roller
A lint roller can be an effective tool for picking up small glass shards.
It’s best to use a lint roller designated for pet hair removal, as it has a stronger adhesive than regular lint rollers. Simply roll the lint roller over the area with glass shards, then peel away the sheet and dispose of it properly.
Capture Glass Shards With Duct Tape
Wear thick gloves and wrap a piece of duct tape around your hand with the sticky side facing outwards.
Carefully press the tape onto the areas where the glass shards are located, and then gently remove the tape, making sure that the glass pieces stick to the tape. Dispose of the tape properly by placing it in a thick paper or triple-layered plastic bag.
Final Clean-Up: How to Ensure the Room is Safe
After picking up all the visible glass, make sure to clean any tools you used to collect the shards, such as brooms and dustpans.
Take them outside and rinse them thoroughly with a garden hose over a bucket. Dispose of the water in a utility drain.
Also, check the soles of your shoes for any glass that may have been tracked.
Use duct tape or paper towels to remove any remaining shards to ensure that no glass is tracked into the house.
*The information is for reference only.
