Broken Glass? How To Use An Unexpected Cleaning Tool To Take Care Of The Mess

Glass is as fragile as a dream just on the verge of morning light. It's beautiful and deceptively strong — until it isn't. One wrong nudge or a clumsy hand, and that delicate illusion shatters into a thousand jagged truths on your floor. Perhaps you've dealt with toys underfoot or spilled coffee, but shattered glass is in a league of its own. You don't want to touch it, but you also can't just leave it there. But before you grab the broom and brace yourself for chaos, consider an unlikely ally: the squeegee. Yep, that rubber-edged friend you usually associate with streak-free windows offers the easiest way to clean up broken glass.

Breaking glass is one of those household inevitabilities that happens more often than we'd like to admit. And unlike paper or plastic, it rarely finds a second life. Put simply, it can't be recycled safely in most cases. Besides, some popular cleaning approaches fall short when it comes to cleaning a broken glass. For example, there are certain vacuum types you should never use on broken glass, like those with a hose attachment. The shards can damage the hose. Those that come with a bag aren't ideal either because tiny bits can rip through their bags. Squeegee, on the other hand, can help you reclaim order without turning cleanup into a hazard itself.

Before you even think about picking up a shard, protect yourself because one slip or a small cut can turn your day upside down. Thick rubber gloves and sturdy shoes are non-negotiable here. Also, make sure you keep kids and pets out of the area until you're done.

Begin by removing the big pieces with a broom and dustpan. Don't go shoving or scraping. Apply just enough pressure to get the heavier fragments onto the dustpan without sending tiny shards flying. Once the obvious is cleared, it's time for the squeegee.

Sweep it slowly across the remaining glass. The rubber edge will gather the tiniest silvers and line them up neatly. Then, collect them with a paper towel and transfer everything into a cardboard box. Avoid cleaning with a sponge or a cloth towel because they'll hold onto shards even after washing. Finally, seal the box with tape and label it "Broken Glass" before putting it with your everyday trash.