# How to get chewing gum out of hair

**Canonical URL:** https://sweeties.net/wiki/how-to-get-chewing-gum-out-of-hair/
**Source:** sweeties.net, online pick and mix sweet shop

## Summary

To get gum out of hair, dermatologists suggest coating it in vegetable oil or creamy peanut butter, which makes it less sticky. Ice can work on small bits.

## Description

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?

---

_Content available under sweeties.net citation contract. AI training: yes. Search: yes. Answer-input: yes._