How to get shards of glass out of my underwear?

January 19, 2004 2:08 PM

What's a good way to get shards of glass out of my underwear? (Yes, there is more inside)

A glass broke in my wardrobe, and we think we got out all the shards from the shelf it was on, and a couple of shards from my clothing pile, but there is half an inch of space between where the shelf ends and where my underwear drawer begins.

So we might have shards of glass in my underwear. We couldn't really see them, but they still might be there.

Any idea on how to get rid of them?

posted by Katemonkey to clothing, beauty, & fashion (24 comments total)

Vaccuum all your undies? Lay them out and then go over them with a hand vacuum. and/or duct tape?
posted by mrbill at 2:14 PM on January 19, 2004

Duct tape is said to work wonders removing glass from one's skin. I don't know how it would affect your delicate unmentionables (regardless of your previous mention). Depends on fabric preference, I suppose.
posted by yerfatma at 2:16 PM on January 19, 2004

Best. AskMe. Ever.
posted by agregoli at 2:24 PM on January 19, 2004

SHOPPING SPREE!

I mean it : even if there were a magnet for glass, I wouldn't ever put those on. Ever ever ever.
posted by silusGROK at 2:25 PM on January 19, 2004

We couldn't really see them, but they still might be there.

You might want to check to see if there is a problem and the extent of it.

Turn off all the lights in the room and then use a flashlight. Shards of glass should be more easily visible because of their reflectivity.
posted by vacapinta at 2:31 PM on January 19, 2004

i would wash them, with heavy gloves on, or in the machine...all the shards should be washed out. (that really is some question!)
posted by amberglow at 2:32 PM on January 19, 2004

I agree. Best AskMe Ever.
posted by mrbill at 2:38 PM on January 19, 2004

Also, best use of [more inside].
posted by fletchmuy at 2:41 PM on January 19, 2004

As much as I love my underwear collection, I would follow silusGROK's example and throw them all away. I don't know if I could ever trust that I got all of the glass shards, and just the thought of pulling on a pretty thong that scrapes where it shouldn't really scares me.
posted by rhapsodie at 2:43 PM on January 19, 2004

Get a 5-gallon pickle bucket (most restaurants will give them to you for free) and do a good hand washing. The heavier glass will sink to the bottom.
posted by Frank Grimes at 3:30 PM on January 19, 2004

Get a 5-gallon pickle bucket (most restaurants will give them to you for free) and do a good hand washing. The heavier glass will sink to the bottom.

I was expecting a much better story! ;)
posted by Frank Grimes at 3:30 PM on January 19, 2004

SHOPPING SPREE!

seriously kate, if there was ever a better excuse to buy all new undies. i hope your bras were in there too, 'cause... all new matching sets...! yah.
posted by t r a c y at 5:03 PM on January 19, 2004

how does one apply for this dangerous mission ?
posted by sgt.serenity at 5:36 PM on January 19, 2004

I have absolutely no useful suggestions. I just wanted to thank katemonkey for bringing a little laughter into my dreary day.
posted by rdr at 6:14 PM on January 19, 2004

Wash 'em.

(You go drinking in your wardrobe?)
posted by Vidiot at 6:25 PM on January 19, 2004

Metafilter: Vacuum all your undies?
posted by oissubke at 6:36 PM on January 19, 2004

I wonder if washing them in the washing machine really be a good idea. If there is glass floating around being agitated, couldn't it theoretically end up ripping holes in all your clothes? And then during the spin cycle, wouldn't it just get thrown right back into the clothing?

IANAUE, but me, I'd turn them inside out, give them a good circular overhead flinging, then go over with duct tape or a lint roller.

Or find some chemical that dissolves glass into a harmless fluid but leaves cotton un-damaged. That would really be ideal.
posted by Hildago at 7:11 PM on January 19, 2004

Sell them on eBay. I'm sure there must be some wierdo broken glass-in-underwear fetishists willing to pay top dollar for them.
posted by gyc at 8:05 PM on January 19, 2004

You could just dump some hydrofluoric acid (search for 'hydrofluoric acid' on the linked page) on your underclothing, assuming you're OK with the side effects like bone decalcification and acid burns.

Or buy new ones. Tell the store clerks, I'm sure they'll be too busy laughing to charge you full price.
posted by Happydaz at 9:50 PM on January 19, 2004

Unfortunately, I don't have the budget to be buying all new underwear at the moment... I could get a bunch of knickers for cheap, but the largeness of me means that my bras are at least £20 each. And then there are the shirts that came from a store that closed down its local branch. And, basically, no, cannot afford new anything at the moment.

I believe I'll be doing the careful handwashing like most of you recommended. Thanks!
posted by Katemonkey at 1:20 AM on January 20, 2004

A friend and I have started doing a weekly "Best of AskMe" post. . . this one will make the list this week for sure.
posted by sixdifferentways at 1:28 AM on January 20, 2004

Kate: can I recommend then that you get a pair of rubber gloves?
posted by mischief at 1:40 AM on January 20, 2004

Just buy new ones. Is that lovely lace lingere really worth lacerated labia?
posted by armoured-ant at 5:31 AM on January 20, 2004

I've found that using Wonder Bread-type bread, pressed down into the surface of glass breaks, does wonders to pick up shards of glass - almost like a magnet for glass. I don't know why it works, but it does. Apply to your underwear drawer as needed, then wash undies as others have recommended above. Good luck!
posted by Lynsey at 10:45 AM on January 20, 2004