I know many folks who love the idea of using natural deodorants as opposed to the store-bought “chemical-laden” variety. However, I’ve personally been skeptical to try them out of fear that the natural ones won’t work as well. (Not saying I totally stink or anything, but I find that I – and everyone around me – benefits from the chemicals up my sleeves…)
But thanks to reader Emily who sent me this great tip for making your own deodorant, I’m considering it…maybe…
Image Credit: Smashed Peas and Carrots
Natural Deodorant Recipe
2-3 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1/8 C Baking Soda
1/8 C Arrowroot Powder or Cornstarch
Directions: Mix the baking soda and arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) together and then slowly start to add the coconut oil. Coconut oil will be in a solid state up to room temps of 76 degrees so your end product will be more of a very thick paste. You can store your deodorant in a plastic food container, an old baby food jar (hey, why not re-purpose!), empty deodorant containers or even your old empty deodorant container. I usually keep ours in the fridge since I like it pretty hard and that way I can just rub the “stone” on. But, if you like you can keep it out of the fridge and just rub it on by dipping your fingers into it kind of like a lotion.
{Note: Not sure how I’d feel about keeping my deo in the fridge. Hmm. I’d have to be double-dog-sure that it was labeled, lest one of the kids think it was a funky kind of cheese or something…Hee hee}
A big “thank you!” to reader, Emily for emailing me this tip along with the link to Smashed Peas and Carrots for the recipe and the instructions.
Have you tried making your own deodorant? If you try this make sure and come back and let me know if it works for you!
HMMMMMMMMM…..might have to give it a try-I have all the ingredients on hand. I have heard that the Aluminum Zirconium is not good for your skin or body and that Aluminum can contribute to Alzheimers…..but who knows if science has proved that yet?
NOTE: there are deodorants out there that do not have the Aluminum in them-most of them are deodorants and not anti-perspirants.
Just wanted to let everyone know…I have been using straight Baking Soda out of the box…just a scant tsp in my hand after drying well after shower, just rub it in armpit….works like magic for even a couple of days if necessary…and I am a heavy sweater. No smell, nothing. do get wet tho.
No good for those of us girls who actually SWEAT : (. I can’t even use regular ones, I have to use the clinical strength.
I actually sweat – I am menopausal – the BEST deodorant I have EVER used!
I hear you have to use it a few weeks to a month before your body completly rids itself of all the conventional deodorant ingredients and your hormones readjust then the homemade version is as good as any. I’m willing to try it considering I’m not a sweaty or very smelly person (unless I’m nursing a baby them I’m a stinky hormonal mess) but the idea of possibly being sweaty/smelly for a few weeks hoping it works might be unappealing.
I gotta tell you that I tried this in the late 70’s. I wish you all success but I found that the smell may not have been on me but it was certainly on my clothes. And the coconut oil had a tendency to stain my clothes as well. I don’t know why the smell transferred to my clothes but I suspect when the oil rubbed off on my clothes it took the smell with it. Maybe I didn’t rub it in well enough or something but it really did not work for me.
I use plain white vinegar for deodorant, applied with a round cotton pad. The fact that it is not an anti-perspirant doesn’t bother me because I know perspiration has a purpose in cooling my body (and when I perspire, it is usually during a workout and I plan my showers accordingly). Bacteria are the little demons that create body odor. The vinegar works by creating an acidic environment that bacteria cannot thrive in. I also use it on my feet (including in between my toes) after every shower. I have virtually eliminated foot and shoe odor by doing this. There have also been a couple other side benefits: (1) The little touch of athlete’s foot I had has disappeared, and (2) I think the acidity has kept my heels a bit smoother, though they still need a buffing once in a while. Undiluted vinegar may be too strong for some people (especially right after shaving – it can sting a little), but it can be diluted with water to the desired concentration. Believe it or not, I don’t smell like a pickle! The vinegar smell apparently goes away when the liquid evaporates. With white vinegar being so inexpensive, especially at places like Costco, it is certainly worth a try.
Thank You! What a great idea. I am going to try it for my 12 year old son who’s feet get stinky in the winter. We are living in Canada so he has to wear boots in the winter but his feet sweat so easy that whenever we are in a building or the truck he gets sweaty feet and they can really stink after a while. I usually use baking soda in his shoes to get rid of any sent but would much rather prevent than treat the smell after.
I know this is two years too late, but I had to say something. I have started using coconut oil deodorant and it works! I stopped using regular antipersperant about two weeks ago and I don’t plan on going back. Now, I will say that I made this change being willing to sweat. I decided I want to sweat as it is part of our natural function.
I began with straight coconut oil, honestly, because I forgot deodorant in the morning and had some coconut oil with me because it is awesome for all skin care! It worked fantastically! I smelled great, sweat and all. After a few days, I felt like I was sweating less and felt cleaner all around. A few days ago, it got hotter here and so I added a little baking soda. That was all I needed. Supposedly, the arrowroot is to help with moisture; I just don’t have any, so I haven’t tried it. I’ll confess- haven’t showered as I spent the weekend at home and haven’t reapplied and I still don’t smell! If I were outside all day chopping wood, I might have a little issue, but in that scenario, I wouldn’t expect not to. And let’s talk cheap! All I do is dab a little on with a cotton ball, and voila! And I get organic coconut oil for around $5.50 at a place that has the letters “T” and “J” in the title.
Thank you so much for this site! I just discovered it last week, and have enjoyed your stories, wisdom, tests, and sunny disposition!
I sweat very bad. I have used many different kinds of deodorant including clinical strength. I haven’t found anything that works consistently until….. Making this recipe. It was wonderful. I do like to leave mine in the fridge. I can even skip a day of using. (Found this out by accidentally forgetting a day). The only essential oil I had in the house was eucalyptus oil. Don’t laugh…… It ended up being a great clean scent. I probably won’t try anything else. LOVE IT
You can add beeswax to this recipe to make the deodorant a little more solid and heat resistant. To a recipe of this size around 1/3 ounce of beeswax would stiffen-up the deodorant a little.
Great tip Stuart! Thanks.
Just going through all your old post (love your blog by the way!!) I’ve been making my own deodorant for almost a year now and love it. It’s the only thing that keeps the smell away for the whole day. Problem is, now I’ve grown sensitive to the coconut oil (crying). It there anything else that can be substituted for the base? I can’t stand the smell or feel of commercial deodorant that barely lasts the whole day.
I add a variety of oils to my coconut oil base such as cocoa butter, mango butter and/or shea butter. Try using one or a combination of these oils as your base with the baking soda to the consistency you prefer. I also add essential oils to aid as an antibacterial agent. You will definitely need to add an essential oil to get the desired result since you won’t be using the coconut oil which has antibacterial properties. I used to use melaleuca essential oil which works great but I am not fond of the smell, I discovered lemongrass essential oil, it is antibacterial and smells great! Hope this helps!
Lavender and lemon are also antibacterial and smell much better than tea tree…too medicinal for me.
tea-tree oil and lemon combo works great too/just a few drop of each!
Sadly, in the UK, it seems MORE expensive to make these things yourself. baking soda is NOT cheap in the UK – locally I can only get small tubs or packets that come out at 6 teaspoons for over £1.
white (and malt) vinegar is not quite so expensive (2 ltrs for £2 for malt, white you can’t seem to buy in ltrs so 568ml for 50 pence)
Epsom Salts we have to buy in a chemist so that bumps the price up right away. 200g for £1.25
this make it cheaper to go buy the “ready made” product!!!
Hiya! There’s a UK website called Summer Naturals that has loads of bulk basics like vinegar and baking soda as well as essential oils etc.
I’ve recently started making a lot of homemade personal care items and I LOVE the homemade deoderants I’ve tried. The first one I made eventually started bothering my skin so I’ve researched others. I suggest if the first one you try doesn’t work…..keep experimenting. All you need is some sort of oil(s)…coconut is a good base and then adding others like shea butter, mango butter, and cocoa butter will be good for moisturizing. Then arrowroot powder (or corn starch) and baking soda to your liking. Add essential oil or whatever you want for scent. If its too harsh reduce the baking soda and increase the other proportionally. My newest recipe only calls for 1Tbsp of baking soda and its still working great without the irritation. This recipe also calls for bentonite clay. I’m not sure what that does to help but I tried it and so far so good. This is so easy to do and it works better than store bought, is much cheaper, and better on your body! Happy experimenting!!!
Thanks so much – I can’t wait to try homemade deodorant myself soon 🙂
Ms. Karrie, you are awesome! Made the deodorant, my husband and I both use it and love it! Thank you so much!!!!
the absolutely best deodorant – milk of magnesia – just poor a few tablespoons in a small open container (2 -4 oz) and, after a few days it will thicken – use it as a lotion under arm. AMAZING!! just unbelievable. even if you forget a day – STILL works! (it is NOT an antiperspirant) and there are no oils to stain or remain on your clothing
I have been using this recipe for a few months and it’s AWESOME!! You do sweat since this is not an anti-perspirant, but it doesn’t smell at all. Add an essential oil (I like melaluca) to help. It takes some getting used to at first, but I will never go back to using commercial deodorants with harmful metals and chemicals. Thanks for posting this!
I guess I wouldn’t be sure of “not smelling” unless someone else was willing to verify it! People who skip baths always think they don’t smell (until it’s really rank)…but those around them definitely know better, & a lot sooner. Underarm odor is one we can smell on ourselves a bit better, though. I think this one is an “if you can smell it, it’s there, but if you can’t smell it, it might still be there!” type of scenario. lol