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Use peanut butter, oil, ice, & more to loosen & dissolve gum in hair
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Getting gum in your hair usually ends in tears, a trip to the barber, and an unplanned hair cut. However, there are easier and less costly ways to remove that gum while still keeping your hair intact!

Removing Gum from Hair Without Cutting It

Spread peanut butter into the gum using a toothbrush. Then, use a cloth to wipe the broken down gum out of your hair. Or, rub the gum with cooking oil and work it into your hair. Then, use a wide-tooth comb to remove the gum.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Peanut Butter

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  1. Peanut butter is a classic solution, and most people swear by it. It works so effectively because its oil content lubricates the hair, while the natural qualities of the peanuts break down the gum. [1]
    • You usually want 80 grams (2.8 oz) of fat per 100 grams of peanut butter.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    [2] If possible, it’s preferable to separate your hair to keep the mess from spreading.
    • A small piece of foil will also work to keep slippery products from spreading across your head.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    Begin at the top of the gum, and work it downward with the toothbrush.
    • Use long strokes. As the peanut butter and gum are mixed, the gum will be broken down. After a certain point, you may want to switch over to a comb or your fingers to get larger chunks out of your hair.
    • Use the back of a spoon behind the gum as a hard surface to spread the peanut butter on.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    Once peanut butter breaks the gum down, use a cloth or paper towel to work the gum out of your hair.
    • Although peanut butter and a comb will work the chunks out, there may still be residue that can be picked up by a towel.
    • Peanut butter will require generous shampooing to wash out of your hair.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Lubricants

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    Lubricants are found easily around the home, since many cooking and toiletry items contain a lubricant you are certainly familiar with: oil. [3]
    • Lubricants can include, but are not limited to, toothpaste, cooking oil, hair mousse, cold cream, vaseline, hair silicone, and adhesive remover.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    [4] If possible, it’s preferable to separate your hair to keep the mess from spreading.
    • A small piece of foil will also work to keep slippery products from spreading across your head.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    Most lubricants, like oil, can be poured on or squeezed on. Work it into the area surrounding the gum using your fingers, and then draw your fingers through the entire affected area.[5]
    • Try not to squeeze the gum too much until the area around it is completely covered in oil. If you move the gum around too soon, you will spread the mess.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    After you work lubricants into your hair, a wide-toothed comb should be able to slide the gum out. Clean the comb frequently, as gum may stick to it.
    • Before shampooing lubricants out of your hair, use a soft cloth to soak up and get rid of any remaining oil or slippery substance.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    Some lubricating products have a strong smell. Be sure to shampoo liberally after you get the gum out of your hair.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Dissolving the Gum

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    Dissolvers are somewhat less likely to be lying around your house, but they are also effective for removing gum.
    • Dissolvers include, but are not limited to, eucalyptus oil, rubbing alcohol, adhesive remover, baking soda with water, lemon juice, white vinegar, and mayonnaise.[6]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    After the product has sat for a while, begin breaking the gum apart with your fingers.
    • If the gum does not break apart, apply more and let it sit awhile longer. It should dissolve and break apart in your fingers.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    If the dissolvers have worked properly, they should come out with the use of your fingers. Clean the area afterward with a towel.
    • Cleaning the hair with a towel prior to shampooing is recommended for ease of washing.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Freezing the Gum

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    Ice works by hardening the gum and allowing it to be chipped out of the hair.
    • This method is known to be more painful than other methods, because the cold gum still has to be yanked out of the hair. This method is not very good for people who hate pain.[7]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    If your hair is very long, you can close your hair inside the freezer. For those with short hair, apply an ice cube to the affected area and wrap it in a plastic bag. Hold it there for twenty minutes.
    • You can also apply salt water to your hair beforehand to lower the freezing temperature of the ice.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Get Gum Out of Your Hair
    When the gum is hard and breakable, you will be able to chip it out of your hair. If it starts to soften, freeze it again.
    • If the gum is too stuck to your hair to pull off, you can add a small amount of cooking oil to it and freeze it again.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if I am out when it happens? Because I sometimes get gum if I go to the shop with my friends.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Walk into any restaurant, fast food place, or gas station with a soda fountain, and ask for an ice cube. Then go to the restroom and put the ice on your hair until it hardens, then you should be able to remove it.
  • Question
    What should I do if I am at school?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Wait until you are on break, then go to your school's health office and ask for an ice cube. Place the ice cube on the gum, and wait until the gum hardens enough for you to pull off. This may take about 15 minutes.
  • Question
    How do I get gum off of other items?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Dissolving products and ice are good for getting gum off of other items. Ice is a painful process to get gum out of your hair, but it works very well for hard objects. You can also purchase a freezing spray at a home improvement store. After you freeze the gum, you can chip it off with a butter knife. A baking soda paste is best for soft objects that might get stained by the oil in lubricants.
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Warnings

  • Be careful when using WD-40, as this substance can be harmful or fatal if consumed. Wash your hands after applying to your hair.
  • Make sure you do this soon, because you wouldn't want to have sticky gum set in your hair for too long.
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About This Article

Jasmin Todd
Reviewed by:
Master Hair Stylist
This article was reviewed by Jasmin Todd. Jasmin Todd is a Master Stylist and the Owner of Austin Curls in Austin, TX. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in cutting and styling naturally curly hair. Jasmin trained at the world-famous Ouidad salon and is Ouidad certified. In 2022, Mane Addicts named Austin Curls as one of the Top U.S. Salons for Curly Hair. This article has been viewed 1,226,947 times.
87 votes - 71%
Co-authors: 62
Updated: November 27, 2024
Views: 1,226,947
Article SummaryX

The best way to remove gum from your hair depends on what you have on-hand. If you have smooth peanut butter, brush it onto the gum with a toothbrush. Try applying cooking oil or toothpaste to the gum and the area around it. Alternatively, spread lemon juice or mayonnaise on the gum and let it sit for 1 minute. No matter what product you used, work the gum out of your hair with your fingers and a wide-toothed comb. Use a paper towel to remove any remaining residue, then wash your hair with shampoo. If you want to learn more, like how to freeze gum to easily remove it, keep reading!

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