You must have also searched on Google: how to get gum out of hair, right? Not only children, but even adults can occasionally find themselves with gum on the bottom of their shoes or even in their hair. If you find bubble gum stuck in your hair or your child’s hair, don’t reach for the scissors! This guide will teach you how to remove gum from your hair without cutting it.
Gum is something that everyone uses to get rid of bad breath or to pass the time when they are bored. So what makes chewing gum sticky? Chewing gum is made of synthetic rubber and resin. The resin in chewing gum acts as a stabilizer and prevents the gum from breaking down when chewed.
The chewing gum owes its elasticity and stickiness to the polymer, which makes the rubber and resin stick together. And most types of gum are hydrophobic, meaning they are insoluble in water, which is what makes it difficult to remove gum from the surface of a sticky object, such as a table, clothing or hair.
Now let’s take a look at what methods can be used to remove chewing gum stuck to the hair. We mentioned above that chewing gum is insoluble in water, which means that we can use hydrophobic substances to remove it. Of course, first you need to separate the other unaffected hair. Minimize the area of hair that the gum sticks to so that you can focus only on the affected area.
How to get gum out of your hair: 6 recommended methods
Method 1: Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties and can be used in a variety of DIY products, from household cleaners to facial toners and also dandruff. That said, apple cider vinegar can also remove chewing gum from your hair.
Pour a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar into a microwave-safe cup and heat it on high for 30 seconds.
Then, take the few strands of hair that the gum has stuck to and carefully dip them into the apple cider vinegar. (It’s a good idea to have someone on hand to help)
After wetting that part of your hair, use a butter knife to get the big chunks of gum out, then gently brush off the gum residue with a toothbrush.
Then, you can wash your hair as usual. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar at home, you can use white vinegar, but the smell of white vinegar can be a bit pungent.
Method 2: Oil
Use whatever oil you have at home, whether it’s cooking oil, olive oil, or butter!
Cover the gum with an oily substance you have at home and leave it on for a few minutes
Gently massage the messy area, then use your fingers or a comb to get the gum off
Method 3：Ice cubes
If you get too dirty with oil, you can freeze the gum off with ice. Freezing the gum reduces its stickiness and allows you to easily remove it from your hair.
Apply ice cubes to the gum for 5 to 15 minutes or until the gum hardens. This method works best if only a small amount of gum is stuck to your hair.
Method 4: Peanut Butter
Just like oil, the fat in peanut butter acts as a hydrophobic substance that helps break down the gum on your hair. Chemically, peanut butter is high in carbon and hydrogen molecules, making it an excellent material to use as a natural gum remover.
Start by scooping out a tablespoon or so of peanut butter and applying it to the gum in your hair. Then let it sit for 8 to 10 minutes.
After that, you should be able to remove the gum from your hair using a butter knife or your fingers. Then, wash your hair as usual.
Of course, if you’re allergic to peanuts, don’t try this method.
Method 5: Vaseline
You must have petroleum jelly at home. Petroleum jelly is gentle enough to loosen and soften chewing gum as well while reducing the stickiness of the gum.
When you apply petroleum jelly, keep your hair in a dry state so that it can adhere to the gum more.
Scoop out a dollop of petroleum jelly with your fingers and apply it to the sticky areas of your hair.
Once you feel it soften, use your fingers or a comb to remove it from your hair. Then, shampoo and condition as usual.
Method 6: Baking Soda
This works just as well as the oil above, but it might smell better! Here are the steps to use baking soda to remove chewing gum from your hair.
Pour 1/3 cup of baking soda into a cup.
Stir a few drops of water on top with a spoon until it becomes a firm paste.
Apply the baking soda paste to the hair around and above the chewing gum.
Wait a few minutes for a chemical reaction to occur.
Then you can get the gum off.
Conclusion
You may need to try more than one method, or, you may need to repeat the same method several times to remove all the gum. After you have removed most of the gum, it is time to start washing your hair. You can shampoo and condition your hair, as usual, just make sure there is no sticky loose material left on your hair.
The process of removing gum can be tricky and even though you have done your best, there may still be some residue left in the gum. So, be patient and you’ll get the results you want.