Lint, dust, and dirt often find their way into our tresses, and they are easy to pick or wash out for the most part. But sticky substances, like marshmallows, are extremely difficult to remove.
If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully to get marshmallows out of your hair, we feel for you. But there’s no need to worry because, in this article, we will provide you with several quick ways to get marshmallow-free hair.
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How To Get Marshmallow Out Of Hair
In this section, we will provide you with a few tricks to get marshmallow-free hair. So read on and find the method that works best for you!
Warm Water
It may sound too good to be true, but plain old H2O can remove marshmallows from your hair. Let us explain: What makes water so effective in removing marshmallows is that it dissolves the sugar and gelatin the candy is made of. It quickly turns it into mush, allowing it to easily slide off the hair.
How to remove marshmallows from your hair using warm or hot water:
- Heat water in a pot on the stove or in the microwave until it’s warm. You need enough water to fill a large-sized bowl.
- Test the temperature of the water. If you wince when you touch it, it’s too hot for your hair.
- Part your hair into sections.
- One by one, immerse each sticky section of hair into the water.
- Wait up to three minutes to allow the water to dissolve the marshmallow.
- After each section has been submerged, slide a damp towel down the length of the hair to wipe away the marshmallow. Wipe gently to prevent breaking hair strands (from roots to ends). The candy should disappear entirely after a few wipes.
Steamy Shower
Sometimes a quick, steamy shower is all you need to remove marshmallow from your hair. The combination of moisture and heat will rapidly dissolve the candy, making it easy to wash out.
Follow the steps below to remove marshmallow in the shower.
- Turn your shower water on as hot as you can take it. Close your bathroom door to prevent steam and heat from escaping.
- Let the water run for a few minutes to allow the water temperature and steam to build.
- Step into the shower and allow the water to drench your hair for about five minutes.
- Shampoo and condition hair as normal to remove any candy residue left in the hair.
Clarifying Shampoo and Conditioner
If you’ve tried the warm water or shower method and there is still marshmallow residue left behind, you need clarifying shampoo and conditioner to finish the job.
Together, these products are designed to clean, moisturize, and detangle hair, which is essential after a marshmallow debacle. This method is a bit time-consuming, but it is sure to return your hair to its original state.
Complete the steps below to clarify and condition your hair:
- Rinse hair and scalp thoroughly with warm water, focusing on where the marshmallow is lodged in the hair.
- Dispense a small amount of shampoo into your hands and work into a lather. Then apply it to your hair and scalp from roots to ends.
- Gently massage the shampoo into the hair and scalp using your fingers. If there are still chunks of marshmallow tangled in your hair, use a wide-tooth comb to gently coax the candy out.
- Rinse the shampoo and marshmallow residue out of the hair.
- Pour a small amount of conditioner into your hands and work it into a lather. Then apply it to your hair from roots to ends.
- Let the conditioner sit on the hair for 5 to 10 minutes so it can work its detangling magic. Use a wide-tooth comb to loosen any remaining tangles.
- Rinse your hair very well and style as usual.
Note: If you don’t have any clarifying shampoo, you can use dish soap as an alternative. Read this article to learn more about how to use dish soap to clean your hair. Also, as an FYI, we don’t recommend that you attempt to dry brush marshmallows out of your hair.
Olive Oil
If you have a tough case of marshmallow madness (e.g., a melted marshmallow mess), the solution may be hiding right in your pantry. Olive oil is a natural household product that helps to remove all kinds of buildup on the hair, including the dreaded marshmallow.
The product coats hair strands, making them slippery so that the marshmallow easily washes away. And as a bonus: If your hair is naturally dry, you can kill two birds with one stone by both cleansing and moisturizing your hair in one treatment.
Here’s how to remove marshmallows from your hair using olive oil.
- Dispense about one-quarter cup of olive oil into a bowl or bottle.
- Pour a small amount of the oil into the palm of your hand and apply it to your hair using your fingers. Pay special attention to the marshmallow-covered areas.
- Repeat the steps above until you’ve used all the oil.
- Allow the oil to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. While you wait, use your fingers to gently rub the oil into the sticky sections.
- Rinse off all of the oil and candy residue with water.
- Follow up with up to two regular shampoo sessions to remove any remaining oil.
- Condition hair and finish it off with a light moisturizer to prevent dryness.
Note: If you don’t have any olive oil at home, you can try using vegetable oil as alternative. Some ladies have also reported that combining vinegar and vegetable oil helps to remove marshmallow goop too.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
An apple cider vinegar rinse is another home remedy to remove marshmallows from the hair. It is an acidic solution that reacts to and breaks down the sugars found in the candy (dissolve marshmallows).
It is worth noting that apple cider vinegar can dry out the hair and scalp, so you should always follow it up with a moisturizing product to rehydrate your hair. Products such as leave-in conditioners, natural oils, and water-based sprays are great post-wash moisturizers.
Complete the steps below for an apple cider vinegar rinse.
- In a small bowl or spray bottle, combine one part water with five parts apple cider vinegar.
- Pour or spray the solution onto the hair and scalp.
- Use your fingers to massage the solution into the hair and scalp, distributing it evenly.
- Allow the solution to sit on the hair for about 5 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly.
- Use a moisturizing conditioner to replenish any moisture lost during the apple cider vinegar rinse.
- Rinse one last time to remove all marshmallow and product residue.
Always shampoo your hair before doing an apple cider vinegar rinse. A shampoo beforehand will loosen up the marshmallow, allowing the apple cider vinegar to finish the job.
DIY Baking Soda Shampoo
A DIY baking soda shampoo could be your best option to resolve your sticky situation. Baking soda is a natural exfoliating and clarifying agent. Free of parabens, fragrances, and artificial fillers, it can dissolve the marshmallow in just one session.
What You’ll Need
Gather the following tools and products to make your DIY baking soda shampoo.
- Box of baking soda
- Water
- Apple cider vinegar rinse
- Empty shampoo bottle or bowl
- Essential oil (optional)
Follow the instructions below to complete a cleanse with baking soda shampoo:
- Pour one part baking soda into your bowl or empty shampoo bottle.
- Add four parts water to the baking soda.
- If desired, add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.
- Wet your hair and scalp, then apply the baking soda shampoo from roots to ends.
- Using your fingers, gently scrub the baking soda against the sticky sections of the hair.
- Let the baking soda sit for one minute, then rinse with warm water.
- Follow up with an apple cider vinegar rinse to restore the normal pH balance of your hair and scalp.
- Finish with a moisturizing conditioner or leave-in to replenish the hair’s moisture.
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Marshmallow and hair definitely don’t mix – we’re sure you’re well aware. But removing the candy from your hair is easier than you think.
We hope that the solutions explained in this article enable you to remove marshmallows stuck in your hair within minutes. Here’s to marshmallow-free curls!