Homemade Deodorant Tutorial
Learn how to make your own deodorant!
The reason behind using a natural or homemade deodorant are numerous, but for me it all goes back to letting the body work the way it’s supposed to. So while I do want to stay away from conventional deodorants because of aluminum, parabens, and other multiple chemicals, one of the main reasons I choose to use homemade is that it allows my body to work as God intended.
You see, when we sweat we also cleanse and detoxify. It’s a way for our body to get rid of either what it no longer needs or the toxins that lie within. Using antiperspirants we cause those natural passageways to become blocked, causing toxins to move elsewhere.
For awhile I had just been using a small amount of coconut oil with a drop of tea tree oil under my arms, and while it did work, it also didn’t last as long as I would have liked. So a few months ago I started mixing a couple more things into it. This ‘recipe’ is super easy (only 4 ingredients), frugal to make, and well loved by a lot of different bloggers and natural living enthusiasts.
Homemade Deodorant
1/4 cup aluminum free baking soda
1/4 cup organic cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
5-6 tablespoons coconut oil
5-10 drops tea tree oil
Mix all ingredients together and press into an old deodorant container. To use, let it rest against your skin for a couple seconds to soften the coconut oil, do one slow swipe under each arm and use the palm of your hand to spread it around.
Personal Experience
I’ve been using this for a couple months now and actually like it much better than any of the ‘natural’ deodorants I’ve tried from the health food store! I’ve learned I don’t need to to use near as much (to much will start balling up under your arm) and I’ve actually begun to not only sweat less, but stink less as well when I am busy working. It also doesn’t stain my clothes.
Tips
*I like to mix mine with the coconut oil melted as I find the mixture to be more consistent that way. Just place your mixing bowl in the refrigerator or into a sink of cold water to firm it back up with in a couple minutes. If you’d rather use it in it’s solid state – feel free to do so.
*If you live in a warm climate, since coconut oil has a melting point of about 75°, you may want to put it in the refrigerator so it doesn’t melt. Another option would be to use cocoa butter in place of the coconut oil.
*You may also use another essential oils, I just use the tea tree oil as it is naturally antibacterial and will help with any odor.
*You may need to go without any type of deodorant for at least a few days when switching from a conventional deodorant to help clear out any toxins that have built up.
So tell me, what type of deodorant do you use? Are you comfortable using it?
I might try this . . . I bought some deoderant at the health food store this weekend and it actually works! So now that Iv’e gotten over my fear that only Secret Clinical Strength will do, I might get up enough courage to make my own.
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I have been making my own deodorant for about a year. I love it! I have never thought to melt the coconut oil first. That would really make it easier to mix! I sometimes use tto and sometimes use lavender for the scent. Thanks for the tutorial. I don’t think I could stand to use commercial deodorant or anti-perspirant again.
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I loooove this recipe! I got it from another source last year and have been using it ever since. I don’t have major BO issues, but the little I do have is completely taken care of by this deoderant. The only time I went back to commercial deoderant was one time last summer when I went to a wedding and it was really important that I didn’t sweat in the dress I had on. Other than that I will never go back!
As a side effect, having PCOS myself, I have battled with hidradentis supurrativa (nasty yucky bumps under the arms) and never found a remedy for it. After a couple months of using this deoderant it has almost (though not completely yet) gone away. Not nearly as bothersome now.
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I’ve been using a stone for a couple of years. Sometimes I use Tom’s. But on Sat I was a little upset to have sweat so much in a nice dress–I do live in the New Orleans area–it’s mega hot & humid! I decided yesterday to wear some of my husband’s Sure since I was dressing up again. Well, I was dry, but I actually stunk! Yuck! I hated it. So, I’m not sure what to do now. I love the stone & it works for odor, but need to have something to keep me dry for dressy occasions. Thanks for this video; I may try it!
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This is a great recipe. I find splashing a little diluted vinegar water under the arms also works well. Also, liquid chlorophyll taken internally does wonders for body odors of all types.
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I made a very similar recipe a few weeks ago. I love it so far! Thanks for your demonstration, and explaining why homemade deodorant is such a good thing.
http://starvingstudentsurvivor.blogspot.com/2010/05/homemade-deodorant-review-part-1.html
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I am going to have to try this! What a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing…. I’m almost out of my Dove and will save the container for this.
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Just promoted you:
http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2010/05/linky-love.html
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I might try this . . . I bought some deoderant at the health food store this weekend and it actually works! So now that Iv’e gotten over my fear that only Secret Clinical Strength will do, I might get up enough courage to make my own.
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I have been using a Tom’s style for a while, and I like it. I think I would like to try this recipe, though. Does anyone have experience with their husbands trying this recipe? My DH is really attached to his clinical strength aluminum filled anti-perspirant deodorant. I will admit, even with that, he can get really sweaty and stinky…
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Love this recipe! I have gone back and forth with natural deodorant. I work in corporate America and can’t stink! LOL.
Happy ICLW!
ICLW #9
http://ambivalentwomb.blogspot.com/
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I’ve been using a stone for a couple of years. Sometimes I use Tom’s. But on Sat I was a little upset to have sweat so much in a nice dress–I do live in the New Orleans area–it’s mega hot & humid! I decided yesterday to wear some of my husband’s Sure since I was dressing up again. Well, I was dry, but I actually stunk! Yuck! I hated it. So, I’m not sure what to do now. I love the stone & it works for odor, but need to have something to keep me dry for dressy occasions. Thanks for this video; I may try it!
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I am so excited to try this! Your recipe sounds so much more promising than the other versions I’ve found online. Thank you for posting the info and the video
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My husband has a corn allergy and we can’t use Tom’s of maine deodorant anymore because it has ascorbic acid made from corn sugar.. is there a way to make this with out cornstarch?
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donielle Reply:
May 30th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
@Joelle, Yup – just use arrowroot powder!
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Donielle-
You mentioned that you are “sweating less” now that you use this. Why do you think that is? Does this recipe keep you from sweating?
Thank you for the clarification. Have a blessed day!
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I have been using just plain old 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol for the last 5 years in a spray bottle and it has been PERFECT! Cheap, not toxic for you and convenient. I am also going to try this one as well.
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Is arrowroot powder the same as arrowroot flour/starch?
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donielle Reply:
August 3rd, 2010 at 11:58 pm
@Nessie, Yes, I believe so!
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I’ve been using just extra-virgin coconut oil for a few months and it works very well. Much better than any commercial deodorant that I could use. Anything that I can buy that actually works for me causes a rash.
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I have never even thought of homemade deo…I currently use Secret unscented. Hmmm. I’ll have to research this more. Thanks.
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