How to Get Vaseline Out of Hair

Updated on August 14, 2006
J.K. asks from Plainfield, IL
25 answers

My 2 year old smeared an entire jar of Vaseline in her hair and I cannot get it out. I have tried Cornstarch many times and it does not work. Any other suggestions?

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So What Happened?

Just about every response I received suggested Dawn diswhashing liquid and I am happy to report it worked!!!! Thank you everyone.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.,
In college I had a friend who thought Vaseline would help her grease her hair back for Greaser night. Well it worked but the only thing that took it out was washing with Dawn dishwashing detergent. It took two times but it was gone.
J.

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P.P.

answers from Chicago on

I know this sounds crazy, but use baby oil. My daughter did this the day before a huge family wedding and I was in a panic. My sister told me to rub baby oil through the spot with the vaseline and blot the oil off. Do it a couple times then wash the hair with regular shampoo. It should be out completely.

I was so scared because it sounded crazy putting a greasy mess in an even more greasy mess but it worked like a charm and she (and I, I mught add) looked beautiful at the wedding and no one even knew what had happened.

Good Luck

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M.

answers from Chicago on

Try using dish soap (cuts grease). My son did the same thing - you may have to wash it a few times, but hopefully it'll work. Good luck!

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A.

answers from Chicago on

Removing Vaseline

If you apply a little cornstarch to the hair and carefully pat it into the hair, it will absorb some, if not all the vaseline. After you apply the cornstarch you can shampoo it out with a good clarifying shampoo and it should be removed. If the vaseline is not completely removed in the first treatment, it will be removed to the point where one more treatment will remove all of it. Be sure to use warm to hot water in the shampoo. Cold water makes the vaseline worse.

Or you can try putting about 1 teaspoon of baking soda and mixing it with a regular baby shampoo and this should help. Unfortunately Vaseline is petroleum based and can be almost impossible to remove. If the clarifying or baking soda does not work, try using soft tissue to blot the hair and see if that removes some of it.

You can try a good clarifying shampoo like Edwin Paul Classic Shampoo, Vain Peppermint Strip or Philou Green Apple. Or you can try putting about 1 teaspoon of baking soda and mixing it with a regular baby shampoo and this should help. Unfortunately Vaseline is petroleum based and can be almost impossible to remove. If the clarifying or baking soda does not work, try using soft tissue to blot the hair and see if that removes some of it.

Apply a little cornstarch and rub it into the hair, it will absorb some, if not all the vaseline and then you can shampoo it out and it should get better.

Be sure to use warm to hot water. Cold water makes the vaseline worse.

That is some info I found online. You might want to try contacting the company directly to see if they have any miracle cures. Good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.

answers from Chicago on

Try a dish detergent that cuts grease. good luck!!

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C.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Naughty naughty, but really I had to laugh just a tiny bit :)
Dawn dish soap.
It may take a few treatments, but it cuts greasy or goopy stuff really well and is totally safe.
Good luck

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D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi J.,
One time I had green hair from chlorine and I used vinagar. It takes out everything. Her hair will be dry so you'll want to condition it but it should do the trick. Good luck.
D.

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J.B.

answers from Chicago on

DISHWASHING LIQUID - DAWN

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

Dawn Dish Detergent may work too..

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J.

answers from Chicago on

Use Dawn dishwashing liquid to later the hair really well and wash out the grease. It took a few washings but it came out. Afterward, we used a deep conditioner to help restore the natural oils. Good luck.

P.S. Take plenty of photos for later when she denies doing this. File them under "Joys of Motherhood!" ;-)

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M.B.

answers from Chicago on

try DAWN dishwashing liquid

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S.

answers from Chicago on

Do you think that dish soap might work? It is designed to cut through grease, and it works on grease stains on clothing. Couldn't hurt, as it is pretty mild. Just a thought.

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N.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

You should try these neutralizing shampoo im african american and these shampoos takes out oils dandruff and is used to wash out relaxers which i have gotten if your not sure what to use ask a hair stylist or go to sallys and ask them Good luck. N.

Proclaim Neutralizing Shampoo
Elasta QP Stop-Action Neutralizing Shampoo

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N.D.

answers from Chicago on

Try Dawn, Dishwashing Soap. If that doesn't work, try Peanut Butter. Good luck!

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B.

answers from Chicago on

GOOP Find it at Menards. Works great on clothes with dried on stains too. Apply it to dry(not wet) hair. Let stand for a little while and wash out. May take more than one try. Good for getting gum out of hair too. Good Luck!

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

Dear J.,

I would suggest that you buy a natural boar bristle brush (WHOLE FOODS) and gently brush it out while wiping the vaseline off the brush with a towel. You could also gently rub her hair with a dry towel. You will be amazed how the natural brush removes oil. No offense to the other mammas, but I wouldn't use any harsh soaps or cleansers (like dish soap or strong shampoo) because those will hurt her eyes and delicate skin. The vaseline will wear off in time without any trauma to your daughter. She might be sporting a slick look for a few days- Maybe even start a new trend!

M.

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R.

answers from Chicago on

I think vinegar will work - may smell abit ;-) but should cut through the vaseline.

Good luck.

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K.C.

answers from Atlanta on

neutralizing shampoo. My now 5 year old did it when she was 2 also. It's the 'after' perm shampoo. you can buy the cheap stuff, but it works in about 2 washes. good luck!

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D.P.

answers from Chicago on

You can try regular Dawn dishwashing liquid, thats what I used when my daughter did it about 4 years ago. It still takes a few washings. Don't use the new stuff that has the bleach alternative tho, just the plain 'ole Dawn.

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C.H.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter put a whole tube of lip gloss with glitter into her and her brothers hair. After many washings of regular shampoo, a friend suggested Dawn. It still took a few washings, but it did work. We followed up with a good conditioner.

Hope it works!

C.

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L.

answers from Chicago on

Hi...

These are not tried methods, but maybe a quick wash with dish soap, followed by a gentle shampoo and conditioner. Another thought would be a specialty shampoo for "stripping" product build up off adult hair. Hope something works for you...soon! :-)

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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

Your daughter sounds like my daughter at her age. My daughter used lotion. It's the oil in the product that makes it n ot come out. I ended up washing her hair with dishwashing soap which cuts the oil and washed it out really nicely. You might have to do it twice, though.

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F.H.

answers from Chicago on

After trying the other suggestions and you notice the hair a little oily-try a mix of apple cider vinegar and water, spray into hair then shampoo.

I had trouble with oily hair and my sister suggested the above to me.

Gool luck. Take care.
F.

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T.G.

answers from Chicago on

My suggestion is try dawn dish soap. It takes the grease out and then wash with regular shampoo.

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A.V.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,

I will say wash it off over and over with regular shampoo until gone.

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