The Simplest Way To Change A Lightbulb In A Hard To Reach Area

Unless you're removing a broken lightbulb, changing a standard lightbulb is pretty easy to do. That is, assuming it's in an easily accessible location, like a table lamp, the refrigerator, or an 8-foot hallway ceiling. When it's in a much higher area, however, it can be a bit more challenging. Picture a 20-foot high chandelier or the recessed light bulbs in a two-story foyer vaulted ceiling. Using a ladder might be your first thought, but even if it's of the proper height, standing on a ladder to reach the bulb can still be dangerous. You can skip the fall risk and opt for something simpler and safer: a light bulb changer tool with a pole extension.

This tool consists of a long pole with a grasping attachment at the end that's used to grip, twist, remove, and replace light bulbs. It's the same tool you'd use to clean a chandelier on a very high ceiling. It comes in different styles to remove various types of light bulbs in ceilings, high flood lights, and other hard-to-reach places. You can also buy a universal bulb changer kit, like the Unger Universal Bulb Changer Kit with 11-foot Pole, which includes five attachments. You can buy a kit for as little as $20 or as much as $60, depending on the brand, style, and store you choose.

Some light bulb changer poles indicate what type of bulb they remove on the label, like the Bayco Light Bulb Changer for Flood Lights. Meanwhile, DocaPole offers a changer specifically for recessed lights that includes a suction cup. The suction cup comes in handy for wide bulbs that don't fit into any of the locking attachments. Although the directions for each product may vary slightly, the major steps are basically the same.

First, place the appropriate attachment at the end of the pole, adjust the pole to the desired length, and tighten it. Reach the pole up toward the light bulb until you make contact with it. Tap the attachment at the center of the bulb and gently push the pole upward. This will expand the attachment and allow it to grasp the bulb — unless you're using the suction cup, which will only touch the flat surface of the bulb. Once the bulb is secured in the attachment, turn the pole to the left to unscrew it. When the bulb is completely detached from the base, slowly bring the pole back down and remove the bulb from the attachment.

Next, put the new bulb in its place. Repeat the steps above, but instead of turning the pole to the left, you'll turn it to the right (because lefty loosey, righty tighty), and that's it! No need for a cumbersome, dangerous ladder.