Chewing gum can be a tricky thing to remove from hair. While it isn’t always clear to us as parents as to how the chewing gum got there in the first place, dealing with its elimination is often up to us. After our initial stress, we need to try some options that might help to remove the gum. Here are some tips that might help:
- Peanut butter: Apply peanut butter to the affected area. It is best to use your fingers and to let it sit for a few minutes. The gum should then gently comb out or roll it away from the hair using your fingers. The oil in the peanut butter helps to break down the gum. Best to wash your child’s hair afterwards so that they don’t smell like they should be spread on some fresh bread!
- Vegetable oil: Apply vegetable oil to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently comb out the gum or pull the strands away from the gum slowly with your fingers. Like the peanut butter, the oil will help to loosen the gum from the hair.
- Ice: ice can help to remove chewing gum from hair. When you apply ice to gum, it hardens and becomes less sticky, which makes it easier to remove from hair. Here are the steps to remove chewing gum from hair using ice. Hold an ice pack or a bag of ice cubes against the gum for a few minutes until it hardens. Once the gum is hardened, gently pull it out of the hair. You may need to use your fingers to break the gum into smaller pieces if it is not coming out easily. If there is any residue left in the hair, you can try applying a small amount of oil or peanut butter to the affected area to help remove it. Remember to be gentle when removing gum from hair to avoid pulling or damaging the hair.
- Vinegar: Soak the affected area in vinegar for a few minutes to help break down the gum, and then gently comb it out.
- Mayonnaise: Apply mayonnaise to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently comb out the gum. The oil in the mayonnaise helps to break down the gum.
- Hair conditioner: Apply hair conditioner to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently comb out the gum. The conditioner helps to lubricate the hair and make it easier to remove the gum.
- Baking soda: Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the affected area, and let it sit for a few minutes before gently combing out the gum.
- Petroleum jelly: Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently comb out the gum. The concern with this option is that you then need to get the petroleum jelly out of the hair. This in itself is not easy and experience taught me that dishwashing liquid will help to get rid of the petroleum jelly. You have to wonder how much trauma this will cause the hair.
- Coca-Cola: Soak the affected area in Coca-Cola for a few minutes to help break down the gum, and then gently comb it out. If this option doesn’t work, then I recommend pouring yourself a glass and finding some chocolate – both good solutions to deal with the stress of the chewing gum!
- Nail polish remover: Apply nail polish remover to a cotton ball and gently rub it on the affected area. Be sure to rinse the hair thoroughly after using this method.
- Scissors! Of course, there is always the option to cut out the chewing gum, but this is not ideal.
If none of these suggestions work for you, then it is time to call in the experts! I suggest you try calling your hairdresser and beg them for an appointment. They will be able to provide expert advice after all, it is their area of specialty.
My final suggestion for you would be to ban chewing gum from your household!
Good luck!
Anthea