How To Clean Up Mercury from a Broken Thermometer Take off any jewelry so you don't contaminate it. Scoop up the mercury with a sheet of cardboard. Place the mercury in a small bottle or vial. Cap the bottle or vial. Dispose of the bottle or vial properly.
Many communities have special hazardous waste disposals or pick-up locations.
A vacuum cleaner will get contaminated and will spread mercury vapors into the air. The chemical symbol for mercury is Hg.