Just about everyone has a method for cleaning up broken glass. I thought I’d share mine, which includes a repurposing of sorts.
Scenario: One of the baby food jars I bought for repurposing just fell out of the cabinet and shattered ALL over the kitchen floor.
Action: After shouting a few expletives (this step is optional), carefully tiptoe (in my bare feet, mind you) to the nearby laundry room that houses my dustbuster and shoes. Vaccuum up as many pieces as I can. Then, pick up a flashlight and roll it around, slowly, on the floor. The ray of light easily highlights the tiny shards and miniscule pieces so that I can use a wet paper towel* to wipe up the remaining bits. Flashlights are good for more than just seeing in the dark — it’s a good idea to keep one in the kitchen.
*Why a paper towel? Because I am going to throw it away. There is no safe place to shake out a wet towel with glass shards and there is no guarantee that you can shake all of them out. So, best to be safe and use a disposable towel.
Photo by S. Diddy.
Paper towel works the best, that’s what I have always used! Flashlight is a great idea!!
[...] Photo by gifrancis Broken glass on my tile floor happens more often than I’d like. Sometimes it’s a simple fix to glue the handle back on a teacup. Other times it’s harder. What’s the best way to clean it up? Read the helpful tips from Repurposeful. [...]
Paper towel is great as you can throw it out, something that works even better is a slice of bread. It picks up all the tiny shards and as it is thicker there is less chance of a piece coming through and cutting you.
[...] many? When you open the cabinet and one of your beloved jars falls out due to overcrowding and shatters on your kitchen floor — that’s how you know. So now, sadly, I wash out my empty jars [...]
I’ve heard of this before, but never tried it. Good use for my heels (which no one wants to eat).