How To Remove Vaseline From Your Hair

If you’ve gotten Vaseline stuck in your hair, you know how difficult it is to remove. Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is so difficult to remove from hair because it is not water-soluble. This means that it doesn’t easily remove itself with a rinse of water. It sticks to the hair and stays there.

There are many different methods to remove Vaseline from hair. We’re here to share our favorite method of doing so. You’ll need a good clarifying shampoo and some cornstarch. With these two products and some time, you should be able to remove the Vaseline from your hair in no time!

Things You Will Need

In order to get Vaseline out of your hair, you’ll need to purchase a few things if you don’t already have them.

For one, you’ll need to get some cornstarch. Any cornstarch will do, and some even say to use baking soda too!

The second thing you’ll need to buy is a clarifying shampoo. The purpose of a clarifying shampoo is the remove any excess build-up that is on your hair. It strips the hair of all build-up and natural oils.

Method To Get Vaseline Out Of Hair

Step #1: Blot the hair with paper towels

The first step to removing Vaseline from the hair is to blot the affected area with a paper towel. This is to remove any excess Vaseline that can be easily removed without further processes. You must only blot the hair and not rub the paper towel against the hair. If you rub it, it will only get the Vaseline more stuck in the hair strands. This will make it will be harder to remove later. Get as much vaseline off with the paper towel before moving on to the next step.

Step #2: Put cornstarch on the hair that has Vaseline on it

After removing all of the excess Vaseline, it is time to remove the residue that is deeper into the hair. You’re going to want to sprinkle your cornstarch over the affected area. Make sure it is all coated by gently patting it into the hair with either your fingers or a paper towel. Do this until all of the hair that is covered in Vaseline is completely coated.

Step #3: Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo

Next, shampoo your hair with a clarifying shampoo. The clarifying shampoo does a better job of really removing all of the oils and build-up on your hair. They are much stronger than a typical shampoo so they should not be used all of the time. It is meant to strip the hair, so it will do a better job of removing the Vaseline.

Step #4: Shampoo again

Double shampooing is the best way to make sure everything is out of your hair and your hair is completely clean. In the first shampoo, you’re getting rid of any dirt, debris, product, or build-up that is sitting on the surface of your hair. In the second shampoo, you’re really cleaning the hair and properly shampooing it. This is essential in making sure all of the Vaseline is out of your hair and that your hair is properly cleansed.

Step #5: Towel dry and comb your hair

When you’re done washing your hair, you’re going to want to towel dry it first. Get all of the excess moisture out of the hair so that you can check for any last traces of Vaseline. Then, comb through your hair. You shouldn’t see any leftover Vaseline or any residue on the comb.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve got some Vaseline stuck in your hair, you’ve gotten yourself into a sticky situation. But don’t panic! By using this method above, you’re almost guaranteed to get all of the Vaseline out of your hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vaseline good for your hair?

A lot of people think Vaseline moisturizes the hair. It actually does the opposite. It creates a barrier that pushes moisture sources away. But what it does do is prevent the hair from any breakage. However, the pros of using Vaseline for your hair just really aren’t that worth it. It is way too difficult to remove from the hair, and it will just cause a hassle more than anything!

Does this method work for all petroleum jelly – not just Vaseline?

Yes! This method works for all types of petroleum jelly. All kinds of petroleum jelly are not water-soluble. So this method will work at getting rid of it with a more thorough method than simply rinsing with water.

Are there other products besides cornstarch that work as well?

As far as we have seen, cornstarch works the best at removing Vaseline from the hair. But there are tons of other products that can work as well! Baking soda is very similar to cornstarch, so that is a great alternative. Others include liquid dish soap and cornmeal. What you do not want to use is baby powder, as this can cause some concern.