Remove Bubble Gum

Boy who is blowing bubble gum
Photo: Shutterstock
Q: My six-year-old took a piece of bubble gum into bed with him while camping in the backyard at his father’s place. This, of course, resulted in the gum ending up stuck in my son’s hair. His father simply took him to the barber shop the next morning and had his head buzzed, claiming that cutting it out was the only solution. I told him that he could have used peanut butter, but he argues that I’m wrong. Am I?
 
A: Actually, you’re not wrong. Peanut butter is one home remedy that has been used successfully for generations in order to deal with this type of situation. It works because of the oils in the peanut butter, which help break down the gum’s grip on the hair. As the oils coat the strands, the gum becomes less sticky and is much easier to slide off.
 

Home Remedy with Oil or Peanut Butter

Of course, today many people prefer to use other oils directly, such as canola oil, corn oil, coconut oil, baby oil, or even olive oil. Olive oil is especially popular because it’s commonly used in other beauty and hair care applications, making it a convenient option for many households. Any of these oils can help loosen the gum by reducing its stickiness.
 
To use this method, apply a generous amount of oil (or creamy peanut butter) to the affected section of hair. Work it through gently from the scalp toward the ends, making sure the gum is completely coated. Allow it to sit for 10 to 20 minutes so the oil has time to penetrate. Then, using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb, gently begin working the gum downward. Avoid pulling or tugging, as that may break the hair. With a little patience, the gum should gradually slide off the hair strands.
 
If there is still some residue left behind, apply a little more oil and repeat the process. Once the gum has been removed, wash the hair with shampoo (possibly twice) to remove any remaining oil or peanut butter.
 
Home remedies to remove bubble gum from hair
 

Home Remedy with Ice

Another home remedy that can make the job even easier is ice. Rub an ice cube directly over the wad of gum until it hardens, or place ice cubes in a small sealable plastic bag and hold it against the affected section of hair.
 
Once the gum becomes hard and brittle, it may be possible to crack it into smaller pieces that can be picked or combed out. This approach can be very helpful when dealing with a large wad of gum or gum that has been in the hair for several hours.
 
Sometimes, combining both methods works best. For example, you can harden the gum with ice to reduce the mess, remove as much as possible, and then use oil to loosen any stubborn bits that remain attached to the hair.
 

Cutting the Hair

Whether cutting the hair is necessary depends on the situation. If the gum has become badly tangled close to the scalp or has been mashed into a large amount of hair, trimming a small section may sometimes be the quickest option.
 
However, in the vast majority of cases, a little patience and one of these home remedies can save the haircut. A buzz cut is rarely the only solution for bubble gum in hair.
 
Note: These same techniques can also be used to remove other sticky substances from hair, including soft candy and caramel.
 
©Hairfinder.com
 
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