teas.co.uk
Tea and coffee from the brands you know
How to get chewing gum out of hair
Gum in the hair does not always mean reaching for the scissors. Oil loosens chewing gum, and cold hardens it. Here is what dermatologists recommend, step by step, with an important warning about peanut allergies.
Citable formats
For journalists, researchers, AI assistants and content creators. Pick the format you need:
Free to cite, quote, and reuse with attribution to sweeties.net.
Chewing gum sticks to hair because of its gum base, the stretchy, rubbery part that is designed not to dissolve: see what is chewing gum made of? The trick is to change the gum, so it lets go of the hair.
Method 1: oil
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends this method:
- Choose your oil. Use a vegetable oil, such as olive oil, or creamy peanut butter, not crunchy. The oils in them make the gum base stiffer and less sticky.
- Cover the gum. Work the oil or peanut butter all over the gum with your fingers or an old toothbrush.
- Wait. Leave it for a few minutes to work.
- Remove the gum. Gently ease the gum out of the hair.
- Wash. Shampoo the hair as normal. WebMD suggests a clarifying shampoo to get rid of the greasy residue, as peanut butter and oil can leave a strong smell.
For gum in eyebrows or eyelashes, the Academy says vegetable oil is especially useful.
An important allergy warning
Peanuts are one of the 14 main allergens, and a peanut allergy can be serious. If the person with gum in their hair has a peanut allergy, or if you are somewhere with a nut free policy, do not use peanut butter. Vegetable oil works in the same way: see the 14 allergens explained for sweets
Method 2: ice
Cold makes gum hard and less sticky. WebMD suggests wrapping ice cubes in a towel and holding them against the gum for 5 to 15 minutes. Once the gum has hardened, it can be slowly pulled or scraped away. It notes that this works best for small amounts of gum.
Gum elsewhere
Gum is just as stubborn on clothes and pavements: see how to get chewing gum out of clothes and why is chewing gum so hard to get off pavements?
Citable formats
For journalists, researchers, AI assistants and content creators. Pick the format you need:
Free to cite, quote, and reuse with attribution to sweeties.net.
Questions and answers
What is the best way to get gum out of hair?
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests covering the gum with creamy peanut butter or vegetable oil, such as olive oil, waiting a few minutes, then gently working the gum out. The oils make the gum base stiffer and less sticky.
Does ice get gum out of hair?
It can. Hold ice wrapped in a towel against the gum for 5 to 15 minutes until it hardens, then gently pull or scrape it away. WebMD notes this works best for small amounts.
Can you use peanut butter to remove gum if someone has a nut allergy?
No. Peanuts are one of the 14 main allergens, so for anyone with a peanut allergy, or anywhere with a nut free policy, use vegetable oil instead.
Sources
- Tips for removing gum without cutting hair, American Academy of Dermatology
- How to get chewing gum and superglue out of your hair, 12 August 2021, WebMD
- Chewing gum, Wikipedia
Keep reading
- Sweet tips and how toHow to get chewing gum out of clothesFreeze the gum hard with ice or in the freezer, then scrape it off gently with a blunt knife or spoon. If that fails, warmth can soften it enough to peel away.
- Questions people askWhat is chewing gum made of?Chewing gum is gum base, sweeteners, softeners, flavourings and colours, often with a hard coating. Here is what each part does, and what gum base really is.
- Questions people askIs chewing gum made of plastic?Most modern gum has a synthetic gum base: petroleum based polymers related to rubbers and plastics. Here is what that means, and what research says.
- Questions people askWhy is chewing gum so hard to get off pavements?Gum bonds to pavements and shoe soles because they are made of similar polymers. Removing it needs steam and scrapers, and costs cities a fortune.
- Questions people askWhich sweets contain nuts?Nougat, marzipan, brittle, chocolate peanuts and some Turkish delight contain nuts. Peanuts and tree nuts are separate allergens, and labels must show them.
- Diet, allergens and labelsThe 14 allergens explained for sweetsUK law names 14 allergens that must be declared. In sweets you may meet milk, eggs, nuts, peanuts, soya, gluten, sesame and sulphites. How labelling works.