Ok moms I need your help. My 17 month old found the container of petroleum jelly that my husband forgot to put away and decided that it needed to go in her hair. How do I get it out. I have washed it 3 times and used corn startch(someone told me it would help bond with the jelly) and she still has some in her hair. I should add that by the time I discovered her she had half the container in her hair. I will try anything at this point. I hate her having that greasy hair look. Thanks
So I tried Dawn and that did not work by itself even after 4 washes. I was told to but baby oil in her hair first and then washing her hair with dawn 3 times. After doing this her hair is finally back to normal. Thanks for all of your advise.
I agree with the Dawn. It's what animal rescue people use when animals are covered in oil, so it should work to dissolve the greasiness of the petroleum... It should be gentle enough too. Just be careful not to get it into her eyes!
My daughter put baby vicks in her hair last year. I think we washed her hair about 5 times with Dawn dishwashing liquid, obviously being extra careful, since it is not tear-free. What an experience!
If the Dawn dish soap does not work, I have found that Shout (the liquid to get stains out) removes all kinds of stuff, including loosening chewing gum from Polartec. However, it may be way too harsh on the skin, so try a gentle dish liquid first since dish soaps are made to break up grease. I actually use Ivory Original dish liquid for hand washing dishes since it is very gentle on my super sensitive skin, so that could be another choice.
Top picks from http://housekeeping.about.com/od/dishes/tp/dishsoap.htm:
1. Palmolive Anti-Stress Aromatherapy - but this was picked for its stress relieving fragrance not its gentleness
2. Dawn Complete Dish Soap
Dawn complete has all the same grease removal greatness of original Dawn, with added benefits to your hands. Dawn is so gentle, that it can be used for dishes and as a hand soap. It come in original, antibacterial, apple blossom, and floral scents.
3. Ultra Ivory Gentle Blossom Liquid Dish Soap
Ivory has long been the leader in gentle soaps and detergents, and they succeed again with Ultra Ivory Gentle Blossom Liquid Dish Soap. This dish soap cuts grease and grime without damaging your hands. If you have sensitive skin this dish soap or Ivory's original formula can help keep your hands irritant free.
dish soap I know it sounds funny but, it is made to get rid of greese so it should work
dish washing soap is one of the most powerful decreasing soaps you could try.
Usually an oil-based product will help remove another oil-based product. Something else that can work is dry shampoo. One of its ingredients is clay, and that can help absorb greasy or oily substances, much like it does with oily hair. I'm glad to hear the baby oil/Dawn worked!!
My DD did the same thing! Nice to know she's normal :) We used her detangling shampoo. It took 2 washes but it worked like a charm. Maybe there is something about the detangler that cuts grease.
Dawn dish liquid-but be careful-it will sting if it gets into her eyes :(
Hi K., I promise it will come out. Don't fret.
For now, just wash every day with gentle soap, nothing harsh so you do not irritiate your LO's skin.
HTH, Jilly
I would try liquid dishwashing soap -- it should cut the grease and not damage her hair too much. I would be worried about getting it in her eyes though. That's very funny -- my daughter did something similar at about that age.
I put vaseline in my hair once as part of a Halloween costume in college! Mistake! It came out in about 2 days with rotating shampoo and dish detergent washes. I don't think I would use the dish detergent in a young child, though. If you get any in her eyes it would be awful! It will gradually come out.
I see that you got it out! Thank goodness. I just went through the same thing with my daughter and Vick's Vapor Rub. For me, a combo of some cornstarch (let it sit for a few minutes) and then Dawn to wash it out worked. It took about 3 washes but it finally came out. Where do they come up with this stuff????
You could try face powder or maybe baby powder. Let it "dry" the hair, then wash with a clarifying shampoo or try bar soap. Do not use any conditioner. If necessary, repeat.
I see you have already had success, but for future reference, Goo-Gone, or any citrus-based solvent works wonders for things in this category: lipstick, crayons, gum, chapstick (especially once it's been melted into clothing in the dryer!). I found a product in my grocery store called "De-Solve It!" It's amazing. It smells terrible, but all you need to do is wash the item (hair, clothes) with normal soap afterward, once you've got the gunk out.
