This post comes with a warning….DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.
Well, really, what I mean is do not eat your regular deodorant. And no, I do not know the person in this photo.
Yes, I know. You are thinking this is one of those over-the-top blogs about getting all kinds of tubes and scales and measuring tools together along with hard-to-find ingredients so that you can save about $.50 per package over the regular “natural” deodorant that you have been buying at the health food store.
Perhaps I exaggerate a bit, but if you are anything like me, a haze comes over your eyes as you read posts that talk about making your own lip balm, laundry detergent, hand lotion and now…deodorant.
Well, I admit that I am a bit embarrassed to talk about it, but the truth is I don't recall ever really needing deodorant until the past few years.
I bought it when I was a teenager, and probably sometimes during college too, but I think that it was more of a right-of-passage then as opposed to something that I needed.
However, something changed recently and I started to need deodorant again. It doesn't seem that my problem was too offensive, as my husband never noticed anything, but I did.
I tried several natural products on the market, but none of them worked. I had one person tell me that I needed to try applying one natural rock deodorant for at least 15 seconds every morning, and maybe longer, and that I should have it be a time of meditation. I don't know about you, but meditating on anything while I'm putting on deodorant isn't my idea of a time of solitude. Maybe my perspective is all off and I'm just too practical, but I usually just want to be done with it.
I could have tried the regular stuff in the grocery store, but frankly, I'm trying to clean up what goes under my arms.
A friend recently told me how her coming-of-age daughter wanted to purchase “that pink deodorant” like her friends had. My friend cringed because she knew what was in “that pink deodorant.”
There are a lot of ingredients in deodorant that one would best avoid. But let's not get paranoid here.
One obvious ingredient to avoid is aluminum typically found in antiperspirants. Just don't buy them. Alzheimer researchers are still trying to sort out what is causing this horrid disease, but there are or have been heavy suspicions about aluminum entering into the brain through either the lymph nodes under the arms or through the nasal passages. That being the case, I think this it is best to stay away from antiperspirant.
The issues surrounding the other ingredients in deodorant are more murky to wade through. I found an article by Dr. Christine Farlow, outlining the 7 ingredients that you should avoid in your deodorant. I didn't poke in to every ingredient, but it seemed to me that a few of her points were unfounded. Mainly, she mentioned talc being a problem because the asbestos-content of talc was unregulated. I was then petrified that I have been using talc as a dry shampoo at times recently. Then I found an article by the American Cancer Society stating that all talc for consumer use has been asbestos free since the 1970s. So talc seems to be fine. As long as I don't breathe it in and it doesn't enter my body through any other means.
Ugh.
Anyway, this blog has gone on way longer than I had expected to write about Easy-Do-It-Yourself Deodorant so I hope you have stuck with me.
If you want a safe, easy, and very inexpensive alternative to store-bought deodorant, here it is:
Ingredients:
Baking Soda
Water
Method:
1. Put baking soda into a small container. I use a small not-so-cute plastic container because my somewhat cuter tin one rusted. Don't get a tin one.
2. Add a small amount of water. Just enough to make a smooth paste.
3. Apply a small (emphasis on “small”) amount to underarm area.
That's all. And if it dries out, add a bit more water.
Now this is one recipe that you really can't mess up. Even if it gets really thin it will still work as the deodorizing properties of the baking soda are still there.
It really works. At least it does for me. And if we get together I'll let you know if it works on you!
UPDATE 2/2016: I no longer recommend this method. Baking soda can be extremely irritating to your skin. I will be writing more about this soon.
What deodorant do you use?
{Top Photo Credit}: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lazurite/3366280353/
Sandra Loomis says
I use the tiniest drop of pure tea tree oil on wet palms and rub under arms – no odor all day… and I love the smell.
Adrienne says
I would recommend not using straight essential oils on your skin – it can lead to all kinds of problems. There is some information in this post. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/essential-oil-emulsifier/
Tea tree is a great oil but please do be careful!
Ana says
Try this method and the baking soda won’t iritate your armpits at all:
Put 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a pot with 30-50 ml of distilled water. Bring to a boil and stir until the baking soda disolves completely.
Pour the mixture into a small spray bottle (eye glass solution bottle works fine).
That’s it. Just spray on the armpits a couple of times and let it dry a few seconds. It lasts the whole day.
The baking soda & water solution wont’t spoil. You can use it for months.
Adrienne says
I’m not sure why you think that a baking soda and water solution won’t spoil – can you explain this to me? Thanks!
Annie says
We have been using white vinegar for years now and it works even in 107 degress in Scottsdale AZ.
We put a small amount in a 99 cent spray bottle from Walmart and spray a couple of sprays in the armpit daily after showering. We sweat but there is no odor. The smell goes away after a few minutes. My husband has very sensitive skin and it has never bothered him. It stings a little after shaving but not much.
Adrienne says
No kidding. Thanks! Do you live in Scottsdale? We have dear friends there.
Carol J Davis says
so glad I cam e across this site excited to try all the home made stuff. I did make some hand cream but it turned out really hard I am still using it but I don’t know where I went wrong followed directions. I may melt it down again and add some Almond oil. Al so added a little essential oil to help it smell good but I did’nt add enough. Live and learn,
Adrienne says
welcome!!! Hope to see you around again. More to come…..
Hollie says
I use coconut oil, baking soda, and a few drops of pure vanilla, almond or orange extract and I have been trying some different essential oils, but some of the oils are not going to be great under your arms! I’d say avoid peppermint, clove and the like. These make a great foot deodorizer, but are quite harsh in the arm pit! Lavender, Neroli, and chamomile are milder oils.
Adrienne says
Thanks – great tips. I don’t like the stain from coconut oil though – you?
irma says
dear sir/madam
I love and enjoy your site and info,,i do my own deodorant,but not sure if it will be harmful if i used it for long time,but the benefit is huge,,not only for under arm,,stinky feet also,,i blend,,,TAWAS,,and alkaline water,added with scented oil,,put in a spray bottle i use this and my son,daily after shower,no sweat,no odor,armpit turns clear and fair color,,i shave so i expect my armpit to turn lil darker,,but it didnt,after i starts using my concoction,,please help me to gather information about my project,,with lots of thanks and best regards,,,irma from philippines
Adrienne says
Hi there. I am sorry but I don’t know what information you are looking for. Hope it continues to work for you. I can’t medically advise. Thank you for understanding.
Erin says
Just a small finger tip spray bottle with 10 drops of lavender EO and 10 drops of lemon EO then fill to the top with witch hazel! Some days I do reapply mid afternoon
Cheryl says
I buy the sticks of salt rock. Both CVS and Walgreens carry them in the deoderant section. You just rub them on your underarms when wet. I do not sweat or smell since I have used this, for about 14 years. This is so cheap. One of them lasts for many months at my house.
In dry weather I sometimes follow it up with some coconut oil. It moisturizes and may fight bacteria as well.
Erin says
I use witch hazel, lavender essential oil, & lemon essential oil. All mixed together in a spray bottle. Works great so far!!
Adrienne says
Nice – that’s fascinating!
Adrienne says
What proportions do you use?
Amy says
Another VERY EASY option… lemon juice. I bought a $2 glass spray bottle which I fill with lemon juice (the cheap stuff) and spray my underarms. Keep the spray in the refrigerator (when we traveled with it, we noticed it was less effective after 2 weeks of room temp). Slicing a lemon and rubbing that on also works great (I am too lazy to slice fruit!). Lime juice works, too.
And for those emergency times when you are stinky and out in the world, try rubbing hand-sanitizer under your arms… it kills the bacteria that makes the odor.
Tessa@TessaDomesticDiva says
I have been making my own for a while now too, much to my husbands chagrin! (Geez, you make EVERYTHING!) Anyways, none of the natural deodorants I tried ever worked for me, and this does.
I gave a mason jar to many friends for xmas, and they all love it too! Shea butter, coconut oil, arrowroot, baking soda, and essential oil of choice for smell (i use lavender). I am sure the recipe could be tweaked for no starch…it helps bind it is all. No staining, and feels like you are rubbing a moisturizer on your pits!
Adrienne says
I’d love that. Is it on your site?
Tessa@TessaDomesticDiva says
I make the one w/ shea butter here: http://wellnessmama.com/1523/how-to-make-natural-deodorant-beating-the-b-o-with-natural-deo/
However I use more shea butter b/c I love it!
Lindy says
Easier to use the salt one for 2 dollars at dollar store.I’ve been using mine for over a year now, works great. I just give a little swirl around with the wetted block….no 15 seconds stuff.
Adrienne says
If you mean the rocks I’ve heard they have aluminum in them. Check it out.
Carol says
Adrienne, just read you old postings here about deodorant. I found one site about 2 or 3 months ago who touted the “perfect deodorant”. I decided to try it out, what could it hurt? WOW just love it! and have been using it ever since.
What is it? Just plain Organic Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil (or any other kind). Just rub it into you underarms daily. If you had any roughness or bumpiness there, it will be gone and the underarms soft like a babies. No odor forms in my underarm area or on my clothing. Regular deodorants left an unpleasant smell both on me and on my clothing, no matter which brand or scent or no-scent I used.
Thanks for all your blogging. I am an old mom, actually now a great-grandmom!
Adrienne says
No way…just coconut oil? I wonder why? Truth is, I am not that young….but don’t tell anyone :). A great grandmom—-that’s something.
Mandie says
I had made my own deodorant last year and it worked great…for about a month then my armpits got red and irritated. I wasn’t sure what was causing it so I just stopped using it, but now I think it could have been the baking soda. I also tried going without any deodorant but I grossed myself out. 🙂
Paula says
have tried using a powder brush to ‘fluff’ baking soda under arms that were damp from showering/washing. Seemed to work okay. Also tried homemade recipe with coconut oil, baking soda and cornstarch plus a few drops of bergamot or lavender essential oils, but it made my underarms itch like crazy after a few days! Now, after reading the cautions in the comments, I wonder if the cornstarch fed some sort of yeast growth Will try it again sans cornstarch.
Love this blog and all the helpful reader comments!
Adrienne says
Yep, I am concerned about the starch.
Rebekah says
I love that I found you site! Thanks for sharing this. I recently stopped using store bought deodorants. It’s the last area of personal care that I needed to change over to all natural or homemade.
I have a recipe I’ve been wanting to try, but since I am missing some of the ingredients, this is what I’ve been doing.
1 dab of coconut oil
1-2 drops each of tea tree oil and lavender (or a citrusy mix that I have on hand that helps cleanse the lymph system–smells wonderful!)
a sprinkle of Baking soda
I put all that in my palm, rub to melt the coconut and apply like a lotion under my arms. I LOVE IT! It’s so simple, yet effective too. I have some sweating, but NO smell issues! But since sweating is a natural bodily function, and one that is essential, I am willing to get used to it. 🙂
Adrienne says
Interesting – great tip. Thanks. Maybe mix that all together and then you don’t have to mix it daily :).
Kelly says
My recipe that seems to work great is easy too:
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. baking soda
2 TBS. coconut oil
and about 10 drops lavender
Smells great, never need to reapply in a day, and this recipe fills 2 old deodorant containers.
Adrienne says
Thanks! Are you concerned with cornstarch and yeast issues? I know it can be an issue in the diaper area. Thanks!
Rebekah says
If you’re concerned about cornstarch, or have corn allergies, you can substitute Arrowroot powder for the corn starch.
Adrienne says
Great tip. I think arrowroot might still cause the yeast issues since it’s a starch. Today’s most might help make the connection.
Laura says
FYI – you can dilute the baking soda by 2/3 with 1/3 arrowroot powder and 1/3 corn or potato starch if the straight baking soda starts to burn your skin, as it did mine and my friends’. You can also use a puff to apply it dry and it works just as well as when wet. I also added powdered lavender and patchouli (ground to powder in my coffee grinder) for additional odor-fighting power and a nice scent.
Adrienne says
Great tip. I do wonder about the starch being something that could lead to yeast or fungal outbreaks, however, Love the oils idea! I am working on a new deodorant as well :).
Sarah says
I’ve been using my own deodorant for 3-4 years when the storebought ones stopped working for me. I’m allergic to tons of things, so I wanted to avoid purchasing multiple different types of deodorant that I may or may not be able to use. I make my deodorant from coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch. It works great…in fact, sometimes I use that mixture to clean and moisturize in the shower. I’ll never go back to store bought. My form probably isn’t as cheap as yours, as coconut oil is not the cheapest product (the container I bought came from the natural food store and was $16) plus the extra cornstarch ingredient. However, my jar of coconut oil contained enough for 6 full recipes of deodorant, and each recipe lasts one year, so doing the math there…it’s quite a bit cheaper than the storebought stuff! Thanks for sharing another way to make your own deodorant. If anyone wants my recipe, I’d be more than happy to pass it along!
Adrienne says
Sounds great! I do have another recipe I hope to work on and post soon – w/ no coconut oil :).
Kirby Hills says
Could you post your recipe using coconut oil?
Caroline says
Sarah,
Buy your coconut oil from Trader Joe’s. It’s never more expensive than $6 a jar for 12oz. And it’s the best quality coconut oil I can find in the market. Dr Brown’s Coconut oil is way too expensive and it spoiled quickly, in my opinion.
Adrienne says
That is very odd. Coconut oil has a long shelf life.
Liza says
Please send me the information on how to make it. Thank you
Donna says
Hi, I used your recipe and made the home made deodorant on Saturday since using it I’ve had a really salty taste in my mouth has anyone else experienced this? other than that it works great I’m so impressed and I’m now looking at other using for bicarb of soda 🙂