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Homemade deodorant recipe Lindsay shared about making homemade deodorant, which of course piqued my interest. While I still use and like my deodorant crystal, I still haven't come to any fully satisfactory conclusions about how healthy it is. This homemade recipe, however, is truly completely natural and harmless. And cheap. Maybe not cheaper than a deodorant crystal (since those last years and years!), but still cheap. :) Ingredients for homemade deodorant: 1/4 cup baking soda Directions for making homemade deodorant: 1. Combine baking soda and arrow root powder in a bowl and mix with a fork. 2. Start with about 4 tablespoons/one-fourth cup of coconut oil and add the coconut oil to the baking soda mixture, working into a paste. The deodorant will have somewhat of a play-dough consistency, and will be softer or harder depending on its temperature. You can put the deodorant into a small container with a lid, or into an empty stick deodorant dispenser if you have one. My deodorant hardened somewhat after I put it into a container.  Now, for my unbiased review of the homemade deodorant. ;) Remember, this is just my personal opinion, and if you're at all interested in a cheap and healthy deodorant, it'll only cost you a few cents and a couple minutes of time to try it for yourself. And Lindsay raves about it. :) This homemade deodorant is really quick to make and inexpensive (and I already had the ingredients for it!). I believe it's also, as I mentioned above, healthier than the deodorant crystals, if only because there's still some confusion (for me) surrounding the "natural salt crystal" deodorants. Ease of use? I've only tried it in a container, which is slightly more bothersome since I need to actually get it warm enough to spread (with fingers). I think in a dispenser, it'd be just as convenient as the commercial deodorants. The real question: Does it work? I think it works okay. If you've read my review of the deodorant crystal , you'll know that I like it pretty well, but admit that it's not going to work just like a commercial anti- perspirant and deodorant. Well, this homemade deodorant works well for about 8-12 hours. In a relatively low-stress, low-sweat environment. It's fine for around the house if you plan to shower every day. I have been using this deodorant for about 3 weeks, and I'll definitely update if my opinion changes, but I'm still not overly thrilled with it. Definite benefits (like health benefits!)... just not working quite well enough for me. Remember, Lindsay and her husband rave about this recipe, though -- so maybe you'll at least want to give it a try! :) Edited to add: I am pleased to be adding this update about the deodorant! When I originally published this post, I had been using the homemade deodorant for 3 weeks, a time frame that I thought would be sufficient for testing. Even though I wasn't thrilled with the deodorant, I planned to use up what I had made -- especially since I knew it was healthy (and possible healthier than my deodorant crystal). Now, I have been using this homemade deodorant for about 12 weeks, and it's really working well! I think that for me, it seemed like it took my body about 6-8 weeks to fully adjust to the deodorant -- whatever that means, I don't know -- just that it gradually worked better and better and I am now completely satisfied with this deodorant! Yay!! :) I have also tried putting the deodorant into an empty commercial deodorant dispenser but that method of dispensing didn't work as well as I had anticipated. So, it's back to fingers from a container. More frugal tips and ideas over at Crystal's blog! :) Is it bad that I rarely use deoderant? Only on really hot days or when I know I'll sweat a lot. And then I use a scented natural one that doens' thave the aluminum and junk in it. My husband, on the other hand, uses it every day. And probably needs to (in my experience men tend to get stinkier than women). This recipe does look interesting to try. And I bet it could be easily scented with a drop or two of essential oils. If you really think about it, deoderant is really quite a modern invention. I don't think there was any back in the pioneer times. You probably just got used to everyone smelling! I've been using this same recipe for about a month. So far, I've been pleased with it. I really thought it wouldn't work (I live in the South, where it's already 90 degrees and humid), but it has. I am a major sweat-er and I've found this to work as well or better than antiperspirints. We'll see how it goes the rest of the summer! I never knew you could make deodorant with harmless food ingredients! Pretty sure I won't bother with it myself, but I have a couple friends who prefer natural stuff and I'll bet they'd be interested in this. I'll have to pass it on. I definitely don't think antipersperants are a good thing to be using, and all deoderant does is add another scent on top. So, I haven't used deoderant in years. I don't shower everyday, but I do wash under my arms morning and night. On a really sweaty day, I might do it mid-day also. I make a similar deoderant for my husband, but sans the oil. It's in powder form and he swirls it on with a thick foundation brush right after a shower. It sticks to his underarms because of the moisture in his skin and he seems to think it works pretty well. Sometimes I add spices like a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg just to add some scent. -- Wow! I'm going to have to give this one a try! I really don't like using antiperspirants or deodorants and the salt think never worked much for me. I'll give this a try at least. Thanks! It may take a while, a few months ago I stopped using Shari I laughed about the commentator who said, "Men are stinkier than women!" Thanks for sharing this recipe. My husband and I are always on the lookout for natural deodorants, and this sounds like it's worth a try. Plus, I already have everything on hand. I'll be mixing up a batch this weekend. Tammy, I noticed in your picture that you're using LouAna coconut oil and perhaps this is why you're not so impressed with this deodorant. I would try it with virgin coconut oil and see if it works better. I believe the reason the virgin coconut oil works is because it is rich in medium chain triglycerides which are antibacterial and antifungal. I believe it is the bacteria growth in the armpits that causes the odor. I've heard of people using hand sanitizer as deodorant (don't know how healthy this would be!) because it kills the bacteria and therefore the odor. Becky in WV Tammy & others, I have never had a problem with it being too solid. I would say that you probably added too much coconut oil to the mix. It should be a moist consistency. We maintain our house temperature around 66 degrees and off at night, and it stays moist. HeatherK, I am the serious sweater in our household and it definitely lasts 24 hours for us (I could only use men's deodorant in the past, Old Spice), but you do have to lather it well around the entire area. It really does not smell strong at all...very slight sweet coconut smell. We do reapply every day, but only shower every other day, and that works for us. Another thought...You may need to be using higher quality brands for it to work effectively. It would be better for your skin anyway, because some brands of baking soda actually have aluminum in them. Extra virgin cold-pressed coconut oil is the best (and it works wonderful in cooking as well), especially when you can get it for just $38 for a gallon (includes shipping) at Mountain Rose Herbs. It does wonders for the skin! Anyway, just a thought. Lindsay  Thanks for sharing, Lindsay! When I need more coconut oil, I'll have to consider finding a higher-quality source! :) My deodorant is a moist consistency when it is slightly warmed with my fingers (it was like play-dough when I first mixed it up) because I thought I only added enough coconut oil to hold everything together, but I'll do more experimenting next time. :D some brands of baking soda actually have aluminum in them I'm a little confused about that -- do you mean baking powder sometimes contains aluminum? Baking soda (sodium bi-carbonate) doesn't, to my knowledge, have any aluminum in it. I have an uncle who works at an Arm and Hammer factory (where they actually make the baking soda) and so I get free baking soda! (And yes, they package their A&H soda in different types of boxes and for different prices... the very same product.) :) I have found that anti-perspirant, which stops up your pores, actually does make me stinkier than using nothing. I swab my armpits with alcohol on a tissue after I shower, then dust with pure baking soda (approximately 1/4 tsp. per armpit). Often I then apply a squirt of perfume. I have never smelled less stinky in my life. I keep the baking powder in my medicine cabinet in a little pimento jar. This works very nicely for me. Oh AWESOME! i've got the things to make this right now ... I'm going to wait until my deodorant container thingy is empty first though. Jason and I have tried all natural deodorant before ... a roll on kind (it's all we could find) ... but we didn't like it at all. I've heard of people using just plain baking soda on their armpits, but I'm not that brave lol This, however, just may do nicely. My husband said he'd even give it a whirl lol Brandy I too wanted to mention that it may be the kind of coconut oil you are using. I have the virgin coconut oil, which is superbly healthy to eat and slather on your body, and I just use it all by itself. You can buy small amounts from a health food store for between $5-10 and it lasts awhile. Also I don't use deodorant everyday and I don't usually smell myself :) Dh doesn't complain either :) There really is no comparison in the quality of virgin coconut oil (unrefined) and the refined kind you get at the grocery store. Just my thoughts. I have been using this and it works ok for the stink but I sweat so much and I have noticed brown rings under the arms of my shirts. I don't like that to much! I tried this last week and so far it's great!!! It has has a tendency to "go liquid" in a warm environment so would not recommend packing it for travel or to the gym but I like it for everyday use at home. I was wondering if anyone knew the shelf life of unrefined, virgin coconut oil. I wanted to buy a gallon but I was told the shelf life is a year or so and if that's the case, the gallon would not be an economical choice. i've been using this the last few days and LOVE IT! i've tried everything...natural sticks at the health food store, crystals, plain coconut oil, and this is my favorite so far! i sent some to my sister and she called today to tell me she loves it. i still sweat, but i don't stink at all! i used organic coconut oil, organic baking soda powder (alum free...i guess there are some that contain aluminum) and organic arrowroot powder. (bulk at the healthfood store) just in case some other combination wasn't working for someone reading this! hope it works for you. THANKS FOR SHARING!!!! Coconut oil has wonderful health benefits and I have been eating it for about two years. I also use it as a moisturizer and hair conditioner. It was only recently that I learned of its use as deodorant. Have been using for a few days now (and it's HOT here in Philadelphia!). I didn't have much expectation that it would actually work but it works amazingly well. I am tickled about it. I just use it straight. It absorbs well and is very soothing/healing to just-shaved underarms. I have experimented with adding a drop or two of a favorite essential oil, but I like how it is sans scent the most. No conflict with my perfume. Also, I use organic, virgin coconut oil. I've been using this for almost a month now and it has worked amazingly well. The deodorant crystal did nothing for me (and since I shave my underarms it stung like crazy!) so I was really happy that you posted this. I also used organic, extra virgin coconut oil, if that makes a difference as someone suggested. I even packed it into an empty stick deodorant tube so it's just like using store bought stuff. (It does get soft in warm weather, though.) Ruth My Dad never had body odor, unless he was doing really hard labor, and I inherited the 'odor free' gene from him. I guess the bacteria that causes it just doesn't survive with my chemistry. Which makes me wonder if the homemade deoderant is helping your system to become more effective at fighting the stinky bacteria. Pretty cool! Hi again...just had a thought. I read recently that olive oil is the only oil that won't go rancid over time. I grow lavender, and it is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal (and I love the smell.) You could make lavender scented olive oil by slow cooking some fresh or dried lavender heads in olive oil over very low heat for about an hour or so until the lavender is dry looking. Strain off the lavender flowers, and you have scented oil! I wonder if you added this scented olive oil to your mix if that would help thin the deoderant enough to use in a roll on type container. Plus it may add some preservative and nice scent! You could probably add other spices and scents to your liking to the heated oil mix...maybe 'his and hers' deoderant scents. :) I've had a great time reading all about the natural properties of herbs for health at www.bulkherbstore.com The family that runs it are Christian, so there is no wierd spiritual hoo-haa in the information. They glean the practical aspects from historical and modern herb books, and leave out the superstition and spiritualism. Even easier natural deodorant: Mix equal parts corn starch and baking soda, mix and add to an old baby powder container. That's it! No sticky fingers! I put it on after taking a bath and I do not stink! I also put some around my chest and stomach area as I found these areas smelled worse than my underarms. I also sprinkle some in my shoes to keep my feet dry and odor free. I need to start making my boys put it in their shoes to keep the stink down, as they are now all getting older.:) Ruhamah I get my organic coconut oil from Mt. Rose Herbs by the gallon for $19.00 THey have refined (for cosmetic use) and also unrefined 100% virgin (food or cosmetic use)for $28.00. THought that might be of use to someone. thanks www.mountainroseherbs.com I just wanted to jump in and say that the absolute best quality coconut oil comes from Tropical Traditions (www.tropicaltraditions.com). They are a Christian company based out of the Phillipines. The oil can be pricey BUT you can watch for their sales and/or buy in bulk. It's cheaper sometimes per unit to get it that way. Their biggest size of coconut oil is the 5 gallon bucket. Every now and then they will run a special - 6 one gallon buckets and it works out to cheaper than the single 5 gallon bucket on a per gallon basis. I'm not affiliated with them, just a satisfied customer. Their gold label organic VCNO is the highest quality but they also sell an expeller pressed organic oil and non-organic expeller pressed oil for cheaper. Post new comment |
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it is a toss up for me, sometimes you wonder if it is worth it to smell bad and stay healthy or use something that may not be as good for you. Does the salt crystal work for you?