To get chewing gum out of your hair, try using some of the common household items listed in this guide. Continue reading to discover how to get gum out of your hair without cutting it or doing more harm.
Gum chewing has many advantages. In studies, chewing gum has been linked to stress reduction, memory enhancement, and weight loss. Gum, however, can become very sticky under the wrong conditions.
To produce its chewy, sticky texture, gum is made of synthetic rubbers and resins. The gum might stretch if you pull on it. Chewing gum is challenging to remove from objects, especially hair, due to chemical bonds between its molecules.
Why Does Chewing Gum Stick to Your Hair?
Chewing gum consists of gum base, sugar, corn syrup, softeners, and flavorings. Because of the polymers it contains, it is elastic and extremely sticky.
The good news is that work on a chewing gum patent for non-stick is ongoing. But until then, we have to learn how to deal with this “sticky” situation. The following steps will make it simple to remove gum from hair, despite the fact that it can be challenging to do so.
How to Remove Gum from Hair
It can be messy to get bubble gum in your hair, especially for young children. In many circumstances, using scissors might seem like the best and only option. However, there are some commonplace tools you can use to avoid cutting.
Peanut Butter
A hydrophobic substance with a thick, oily consistency, peanut butter. By reducing the gum’s stickiness with peanut butter, you can make it simpler to get gum out of your hair. Peanut butter and gum stick to each other more readily than they adhere to dry hair because they are both hydrophobic substances.
Apply creamy peanut butter all the way to the hair in the gum-affected area to remove it. Wait a few minutes while the peanut butter works its way through that hair with your fingers. The gum ought to stiffen up and become simple to remove from your hair.
Toothpaste
You are probably aware of toothpaste’s incredible advantages in maintaining healthy, white, sparkly gums. They make a fantastic DIY solution for getting gum out of hair, as you may not be aware.
- To use, put some toothpaste on a cotton ball and dab it all over the gum that is lodged in your hair.
- An old toothbrush can be used for this as well.
- Wait a few minutes as the toothpaste hardens and reduces the stickiness of the gum.
- Then use a chair brush with wide teeth to quickly remove the gum that has become lodged in your hair.
Cooking Oils
Additionally hydrophobic are cooking oils. For instance, oil and water readily separate when combined in a jar. Gum’s stickiness is reduced by ingredients in cooking oil without harming your hair.
Oils that may work include:
- canola oil
- olive oil
- coconut oil
By gently rubbing it in, apply oil to the gum area. To get the gum out of your hair, use a comb or your fingers.
Ice Cubes
The gum can be frozen off using ice if using oil is too messy. You can remove gum from your hair with ease because freezing it makes it less sticky.
For five to fifteen minutes, or until the gum hardens, place an ice pack on it. For an added boost, you can also wrap some ice cubes in a cloth and place it over your hair. This technique works best when a small amount of gum is stuck in the hair, despite the fact that it works.
Mayonnaise
Yes, this can be a greasy, messy solution, we agree. However, if all you have in your refrigerator is mayonnaise, don’t worry; it will still work and make it simpler to remove gum from your hair.
- Apply mayonnaise with your fingers to the gum that has become lodged in your hair.
- There are mayonnaises that contain the ideal oils, like olive oil, which helps the gum become less sticky.
- Wait a few minutes after applying the mayonnaise to the affected area before gently removing the gum.
- Always remember to take a shower right away after using mayonnaise to remove gum from your hair as a general rule.
Vinegar
Gum from your hair can be effectively removed with vinegar as well. The adhesive holding your hair to the gum is broken down by a solvent. It does leave behind a potent smell.
Apply vinegar liberally to the area to remove gum. You can soak a cloth in a cup of vinegar or dip your hair in the solution. The gum comes out more easily the longer your hair soaks. Before using vinegar on your hair, give it a very slight heat treatment for an added boost.
Depending on how much gum is tangled in your hair, this process might take some time. Apply a wide-tooth comb to your hair as soon as the gum starts to soften.
Vaseline
Vaseline is frequently used in India and is a necessary element of the majority of travel kits. Did you know that Vaseline can help you remove gum from your hair? Petroleum jelly, a mixture of natural waxes and mineral oils, is essentially what makes vaseline.
- Apply petroleum jelly to a cotton ball and dab it all over the affected area, covering the gum completely.
- Before attempting to delicately remove the gum, give it some time to dry.
What Not to Do When You Get Gum in Hair?
Avoid using your hands to begin pulling on the gum piece that has become lodged in your hair because doing so might result in more hair becoming covered by the gum, which would only exacerbate the issue.
By gently isolating the impacted hair strands, make sure that the gum does not spread and become stuck in more of your hair.
Always wash your hair after removing gum with remedies like peanut butter, vegetable oils, or any other ingredients, and keep in mind to be gentle when doing so. After all, you don’t want to end up smelling like these foods!
Read More: Where Do Bed Bugs Actually Come From- How to Control
Conclusion
It can be annoying when gum gets stuck to your hair. However, this is a manageable annoyance. If you want to get rid of gum without using scissors, think about using safe household items and remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Lemon Oil Remove Gum from Hair?
A paper towel should have a few drops of lemon oil on it. Let the gum be covered in the towel for a while. Slow removal of the gum will start.
Does Acetone Remove Gum from Hair?
Yes, acetone has the ability to remove chewing gum stains. But it might make your hair dry. Therefore, use it with caution.
Does Ice Get Gum Out of Hair
If using oil is too messy, you can use ice to freeze the gum off. You can easily remove gum from your hair because freezing it makes it less sticky.
How to Get Gum Out of Hair With Toothpaste
Apply toothpaste to the gum and hair wad, massaging it in with your fingers as you go. Laissez le toothpaste sécher. Once the toothpaste has dried, using your fingers, a comb, or a toothbrush should make it simpler to remove the gum from the hair.
Will Shampoo Get Gum Out of Hair
Any type of vegetable oil (olive oil works great) or peanut butter and regular shampoo. Step 1: Use your fingers or an old toothbrush to thoroughly coat the gum in the oil or peanut butter. Rub it in gently.