This Common Laundry Staple Is Your Secret Weapon For Cleaning Up Broken Glass

Did you accidentally knock over a glass, and now tiny, sharp shards are scattered all over your floor? Those pieces can injure you and your family if stepped on, and while you can use a broom to clean up larger glass fragments, it's not the best method for picking up tiny shards. Those particles can get stuck in the bristles, and you may get cut trying to clean your broom after using it. It's also not a good idea to vacuum up glass. The slivers can puncture your vacuum bag and create tiny scratches on the internal mechanical parts.

That's where your lint roller comes to the rescue. Yes, the one you usually use to get rid of pet hair, lint, and dust from your clothes and furniture. What makes a lint roller so effective at cleaning up broken glass is its design. When glass breaks, it tends to scatter, and some pieces can be so small that they blend into the surface, becoming almost invisible. A lint roller's sticky sheets are perfect for trapping and holding the tiny shards that brooms or vacuums might miss. And the best part? Your lint roller is easy to use, requiring no special skills or preparation. Just tear off the used sheet of your roller, exposing the sticky surface, and roll it over the area where the glass broke. But while it's quick and reliable, we've got additional tips on using this laundry staple to safely clean up all the broken glass. 

The first step to cleaning up broken glass is to carefully pick up the larger pieces with your hands. But before you do that, wear textured gloves to protect yourself from possible abrasions or punctures. You can buy two pairs of Kevlar textured gloves for $10 at Walmart. Picking up the bigger pieces helps reduce how many shards your lint roller needs to collect, making each sticky sheet last longer. Next, gently roll the lint roller over the area where the glass broke, applying enough pressure so the adhesive picks up all those tiny particles. Make sure to cover the entire area, rolling over it multiple times if necessary. Don't forget to check the surroundings, including rugs, carpets, or soft furnishings. Repeat the process with a new sheet if you think there are still slivers of glass left.

Once you're done, throw away the glass shards and lint sheets properly. For safety, double-bag large pieces of broken glass and wrap smaller fragments (including your used lint roller sheets) in newspaper. Place all of these in a bag separate from the rest of your trash. You shouldn't toss the bag with broken glass in a regular trash can — the shards could hurt people handling your waste. Put it next to the other trash and make sure it's clearly labeled with "Broken Glass" as a warning.