A couple years ago I got some Tom's of Maine deodorant, it seemed ok at first and then became less effective. So I gave up and excepted my smell. I wasn't really happy with that solution either though... I decided to try powdering with baking soda, it worked well, but didn't last all day. I had heard that homemade deodorant was baking soda and coconut oil, so I started using some coconut oil and then powdering with baking soda. Too many steps! But it did work.
One of my friends mentioned making deodorant and had been researching it a bit, so she found a recipe and we went and got ingredients (most of which we found we had).
I took the boys deodorant away too so we are all using this now and I have to say that I am so pleased! It works so well and there is no smell- no perfume smells and no B.O.! And this works for Brian too, who's job is very physically demanding.
Homemade Deodorant
1/2 c. baking soda
1/2 c. arrowroot powder
2/3 c. coconut oil (we used expeller pressed so there was no coconut smell)
Mix the 2 powders, melt the coconut oil and mix into powders. Pour into 2 containers. We should have had smaller containers! But we found these at Hobby Lobby and decided they would be the easiest to stick our fingers in.
Take a bit out (I use the back of my finger nail), about 1/2 tsp. and rub it into your armpit.
If you have an empty deodorant container, you could pour it into that, but you would need to keep it in the fridge during the warmer months of the year, as coconut oil melts at around 76˚.
10 comments:
Very cool idea! Would it work well in a stick format to wipe on? You are awesome. How about that yummy lip balm? I love that stuff too. :)
Thanks Hanna! I'll get to the lip balm... who knows, that might take me another month! LOL
I think you could do it in a stick, but coconut oil melts at 76˚, so you would have to take a trek to the fridge after every shower. :-)
You can actually market this product to sell. You could put some on Etsy to start with.
I know lots of people who don't like the commercial deodorants.
I came across a blog where the woman was making lots of natural remedies like this about a year ago, unfortunately I didn't keep the links. Kicking myself.
I am not happy with dove, I think they changed their formula. I also use an alum block anti-perspirant, but this sounds better.
I'll link it up to my article on personal hygiene.
Good idea! I might make up a batch for that. It was really easy to make, but to buy... from the looks of things most of them have scents and are quite expensive.
Rachel, I am thoroughly enjoying your blog - thanks for sharing your kitchen adventures!
Great post, thanks for the tip! Has the deodorant stained any of your clothing because it is oil based? Do you wait a minute or two before putting on clothing to allow skin to absorb it? Thanks for the tips!
I haven't had any staining, I wear comfortable fitting clothing- so nothing tight on my arm pits. But no oil stains at all. :-)
Thanks Rachel - I just made the deodorant and my coconut oil was already melted in its bottle (because it is in the warmer months)so the mixture is quite goopy and liquidy, is this how it is in warmer months and still works or should it be more waxy as it is in your pics? thanks again.
One last Q! This morning when I put it on for the first time some of the oil had separated on top - have you noticed this as well or did I not mix it well enough in the batch that I made? Thanks again for all your help! :)
It has separated on me before- you could try mixing it, letting it set up in the fridge and then see if it stays a good consistency. I know some people just store theirs in the fridge. We don't live it a really hot area though, so for most of the year it's a hard paste and then just soft for a couple months in the summer. If it sits in the sun it separates more. I just stir it with my finger before applying. :-)
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