How do you remove Desitin from hair? Now, this is a topic I would have preferred to never have the privilege of writing about on this blog. I would have been just fine not having this first hand knowledge and experience. No such luck. I try and share these not-so-fun moments with Instagram, Facebook or Google+. I know some day I will laugh. Who am I kidding, it takes just moments for me to see the humor. My friend said to me, “It cracks me up. My kids never just got into stuff like yours have.” I wasn’t offended, I just pondered the injustice of it all. My kids have ALL been trouble at age 2 & 3 and beyond in the stuff they’ll get into that they are not suppose to touch. If I leave it in the wrong place for the moment, there is a sensor that goes off in my children’s brains. They hone in on it, grab it and do something crazy with it. We have had paint, markers, tape, scissors, nail polish, poop, Desitin (obviously), lotions, make-up, cleaning supplies, food and more. The amount of time I have spent cleaning up stuff around my house is crazy. We could probably make a pretty hilarious sitcom just out of my stories. Yesterday, Corban pooped in the bath. Earlier this week, it was the Desitin. That SAME DAY, I had been cleaning the bathroom and ran upstairs to take care of something for the girls, and Corban had dumped out the Comet and had three spray cleaners shooting all over the bathroom. It’s dangerous. Yes, I know. I should have had it where he couldn’t reach it. Yes, I know. They’re all still alive. Yes, I understand it is a miracle. Those are the big ones, and I’m not counting the spilled food, drink or sand dumped everywhere. I am kidding myself by trying to pretend that it’s probably because they are super creative or geniuses of some sort. The culprit this time was Desitin. OK – It wasn’t really Desitin. It was Corban using Desitin as a shampoo for Kenzie’s head. Therefore, I get the privilege of sharing with you how to remove it in case this ever happens to you, which I am sure it won’t. You’re probably a way more intelligent and responsible mom that I am. Desitin is great for diaper rash, but it isn’t great for hair.
I can tell you what is great for getting out grease. Dawn dish soap. I’m not sure you are aware of the miracle of Dawn dish soap beyond cleaning dishes. Oh, it will get your dishes sparkly clean, but the phrase “works on grease” doesn’t just apply to dishes. We have used Dawn to take away grease stains in our clothes, even set in stains. Now, we discover it works on Desitin in hair. Now, isn’t that just a Dawn ad? This is not a sponsored post.
I scrubbed the spot with the dish soap just one time. I did it well in the area Corban had smeared it. I used conditioner in her hair. This is the “after” picture. Worked like a charm.
Oh my!!!! Desitin on the hair! Sorry i burst out laughing when I see the photo 😛 ya the grease, the smell…. so glad that you are able to get them out of Kenzie’s hair.
Oh no offense. I’ve learned to laugh too. Thanks for commenting!
Does it have to be dawn? My youngest just did this and I have an off brand ointment as well as off brand liquid dish soap.
I’m not sure, actually. I just know that Dawn tends to cut through grease. I haven’t tried other brands. Best of luck.
My grandaughtters loaded thir head up this morning. My daughter in tears because she could not get it out. Dawn dish soap blue and peanut butter did the job. We had to do 2 sets of soap and then dad did the peanut butter wash the conditioner. Bingo all fixed>
Yay! Glad you got it all fixed. Desitin is not fun for any place other than where it was intended to be used. Glad I could help. Peanut butter is a great addition.
Thank you! Will try it right now, unfortunately. My two year old got out of his crib and had more time to spread it everywhere! His entire head, body, carpet, rocker, etc. Are we having fun yet?
LOL – My child pooped in the bath tub yesterday, and it was all in lots of little pieces. I’d say we’re having fun! LOL I hope it worked!
Thank you ; nice post 🙂
Thanks!
My two year old put the whole tube of it in her hair yesterday and I haven’t had any leway with it. Its not coming out, even with dawn soap. Maybe she just put a lot I n. It may take a few times
Sorry you aren’t having success with it. It worked for us. It could be the amount, but I remember thinking my daughter had a lot. I’d try a few time with the Dawn and see if it works or you.
I came here looking for a solution. My daughter had put a THICK layer of desitin in my 2 yr old’s hair and shampoo and dish soap did nothing. I remembered that Desitin is petroleum based so I tried another oil. I had coconut oil and that helped to break it down. Lots and lots of coconut oil, scrub, rinse, repeat. Then I used the dish soap after that and shampoo. It’s still a bit greasy but most of it is gone. Just a tip for those who might be desperate for whom Dawn doesn’t work.
Thanks so much for the extra information. I find it so helpful to see what is working for others!!
my granddaughter got into Desitin last night and I tried Dawn, shampoo, and even putting vinegar on her hair and it took MOST of it out; however, it is still in her hair. I will have my daughter to try the coconut oil when she picks my granddaughter up from daycare this afternoon.
Oh man. Sorry it din’t work out as well for you. The Dawn seemed to work for us, but it’s too bad it wasn’t replicated for you. It might take a few different washes. I’m sure you figured it out by now. Did the coconut oil make a difference?
my three year old put destitin in her hair today and it looks like her hair is turning white. ill try the dish dawn soap. did any of yall’s kids hair turn colors?
No, I had not problem with the hair turning color. I hope you got it out!
Desitin in the granddaughter’s hair today. Washed twice with shampoo that did nothing, was thinking about Dawn and googled, yours was the first post that came up! I’ll let you know if it works when I feel like I can stand going back to it…I loathe the smell of Desitin, and she also smeared it all over her face, my bed, the floor, her clothes…I have a few other things that need my attention right now! Wondering if dusting with corn starch would also help absorb the grease?
Please report back and let me know how it works! Kids are so crazy. The things that have been on their bodies, in their hair, on our walls, in their beds…it’s mind boggling.
Thank you for posting this! My 3 year old’s hair is covered in Desitin, I’ve tried washing it out 3 times and can’t get it out. I thought I would be the only one ever googling “how to get Desitin out of hair” but I was surprised that it popped up immediately in the suggestions!
Yay! So glad this worked for you. Thanks so much for reporting back so others know that it works! Blessings!
I googled “how to get desitin out of hair” and your blog post came up and showed you used the same methods I had.
I washed my daughter’s head 6 times with my shampoo and NOTHING. Then 3 times with dawn and got most of it out. Still feels so greasy, though.
So here’s the story – my 4yr old son got hold of our nearly-full tub (not tube) of desitin and allowed my 2yr old daughter to play in it. Together they spread the whole tub around my house, as well as all over my daughter. She looked like a ghost. Caked in her hair – over 3/4 of her head and the rest of her.
Now the plan is to just wash her hair every day, a few times a day with dawn, til it feels back to normal.
Thank you so much for this post…I now feel like there’s some hope. And I now know I’m not alone in the crazy mommy adventures.
My kids get into EVERYTHING, as well. It’s INSANE how much they can do in only a few minutes.
It is so crazy what they can get done a few moments alone – especially when you have “creative” and “tactile” kids. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked into a room wide-eyed. I hope you got pictures because those are gold, and make you look back and just laugh at the whole thing. Sounds like you had a crazy amount everywhere, and yes, Dawn worked for us. I’m sure, as you continue in diligence, it will be gone soon. Blessings on this wild ride. 😉
Thanks for posting. I have 2 three year olds and they got a hold of a tub of desitin last night! I couldn’t get it out and sent them to preschool with what was left 🙁 I will def try the dawn tonight!
Let me know how it worked. I hope it was helpful for you!
This is for all the beautiful momma’s out there who are doing there best and feeling overwhelmed and maybe a little guilty for over reacting. Breathe! Just breathe and forgive yourself. The desitin will eventually come out:) in the meantime God can use even this for good!!! Times like these God’s uses to refine us and pull from us the things that don’t belong in us anyways….. For example impatience and the need to control everything. Look at your beautiful child and smile! Even if you don’t feel like it do it! Smiling changes the chemicals in our brain and it will help calm you down. Cansel what ever you had planned and plan on spending a little QT with your cutie! Now I have an autistic angel…. Who put a whole tube of desitin in her hair and boy was it tough to get out!!! It took 5 hours but it did come out there is hope!!! I found the best way to get it out is #1 with patience. Wet the hair and put lots of dish soap in the hair and try to comb through it and leave the soap on the hair for and least 30 minutes and rinse. Then do it again and comb through the hair and repeat. Continue this until clean. Keep the comb clean continue to wipe the desitin out with a towel. When done wash with normal shampoo and conditioner. The big picture is you were abviously not meant to be doing what you were planning on doing so user this to practice releasing control to God ? all things work together for those who love him.
Thanks for those words of encouragement. It was so nice of you to take the time to remind us all to relax and enjoy or kiddos. It’s great to hear your experience and the act of patience in removing the problem. Isn’t that often the case. Just a little patience, time and reliance on God will help it all turn out OK. 🙂 Blessings.
Darn, I found your blog to get an idea for removing diaper rash cream from my donkey’s legs. I creamed her up for 2 weeks as a barrier against leg-biting flies. It works great for that, the flies had already broken the skin on Zephyr’s legs and it was really ugly. I tried Dawn first, for the same reason you did. Lathered up the donkey again and again. Lots of brown mud and sand came off (she likes to roll). What I was left with is nice, clean diaper rash cream. It didn’t even make a dent in the cream. Bummer.
Sorry this didn’t work. I guess the up side is that now you have a cleaner donkey. 🙂 This was a fun comment to read and imagine, even if the Dawn didn’t work for the diaper rash cream as you’d hoped. Thanks for sharing.
I work night shift as a screener in an ER. Normally I am not able to use my phone when I am on the floor. Had my phone on my desk. To my amazement when I see a text message from my daughter. 3 am in the morning. Apparently she thought my 15 month old busy body granddaughter was asleep while she was putting my newborn grandson to sleep after his 3 am feeding. Too her surprise (not mine 🤣) my granddaughter was up and playing with a jar of Desitin and rubbing it all in her hair. Yep! All in her hair. She asked what she could use cause she had tried everything in the cabinets. I told her Dawn. Since…I didnt tell her but it was what I used on her when she got into the Desitin. She’s 23 now 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Thank you for sharing. We all go through bloopers with our kids doesnt mean you arent the best mom. 😁
What a great story and memory. Thank you so much for commenting and sharing a piece of your life. 🙂 Blessings.
Dealing with this today! Thanks for the info. We’re going to try Dawn straight without diluting because shampooing multiple times took some of it out but not all. My daughter has picture day Sunday so we’re hoping to get it all out by then.
I hope you were able to get it out for picture day. Thanks for commenting.
I would give Coke or Pepsi a try also. Works better than Dawn on driveway oil spots and maybe better for the environment.
Interesting. I would have never thought of that. Thanks.