After reading of Peggy’s success with my deodorant recipe, I thought I would re-emphasis the wonders of this natural and frugal alternative to deodorant (for all the newbies!). Aaron & I have been using it for several months now, and it has worked wonders. It smells wonderful, but very faint, so the hubby does not mind! We have tried all natural brands without much success, until we tried this! It is especially important for women to take thought to the harmful aluminum materials in deodorant as it has been linked to breast cancer, being that the armpits are so close to the chest.
Ingredients:
Coconut oil
baking soda
arrowroot powder or cornstarch
Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder. I use about 1/4 cup each. Then slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon until it maintains the substance you desire (I use approx 5-6 Tbls). It should be about the same texture as the store bought kind. You can either scoop this into your old dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. After applying the product, you can just rub the remains into your hands as a lotion! I have only made two batches in the last three months and this second batch has a ways to go yet.
Read here and here for more wonderful uses of coconut oil!
That’s my frugal tip for the day!
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March 20th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I just moisten my fingers and rub baking soda…no smell, it is so easy…
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Lindsay replied on March 21st, 2008:
I have heard of others just using baking soda. I prefer the texture of incorporating the coconut oil, dries as it applies, plus you get all the wonderful benefits this has for your skin!
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March 21st, 2008 at 3:25 am
Interesting, I’ll have to try this,
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March 21st, 2008 at 3:53 am
Thanks for the great information! I’m definitely passing this on to my mom and sisters! We’ve been trying forever to find natural deoderant solutions.
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March 21st, 2008 at 5:12 am
I have never heard of doing this! I’m always looking for natural alternatives so I’m definitely trying this!
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March 21st, 2008 at 5:52 am
I just found your website… I am very interested in trying this recipe.
Also as a side note, my Midwife just told me that a womens breast tissue actually extends up into the arm pit, which is why the aluminum in deodorants cause breast cancer! Makes sense I guess.
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March 21st, 2008 at 6:22 am
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe… my husband and I have tried several different natural deoderants without success. This one sounds great!
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March 21st, 2008 at 7:06 am
Thanks for the recipe! I have used just baking soda and water before, but my skin became so irritated and red that I had to go back to regular deodorant. I can’t wait to try this!
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March 21st, 2008 at 7:09 am
Thank you for sharing this. Will any coconut oil do or should it only be made with the high quality oil?
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Lindsay replied on March 21st, 2008:
I use wilderness family natural coconut oil, because I use it for cooking and many other things as well, and want a good quality brand. But I would imagine any would do for this recipe. I will be buying it from Mountain Rose Herb Company in the future, as their prices are far cheaper for the same quality.
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March 21st, 2008 at 8:19 am
Question….
Does the coconut oil not stain the armpits of your clothes? Or do you have to let it soak in first before you put a shirt on? The recipe sounds like such a great idea, but that was my one hesitation.
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Lindsay replied on March 21st, 2008:
I have never had any problem with staining with the coconut oil, but I did have this problem with antiperspirants.
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March 21st, 2008 at 10:56 am
This sounds wonderful. I know others that have tried baking soda only, but I think that would get dry. This sounds not as drying.
Is there a particular brand of coconut oil that you recommend?
His,
Mrs. U
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March 21st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I’m like Tammy and developed a rash with just baking soda. I’ve been using a natural brand that incorporates tea tree oil and it works alright but is expensive.
I just ordered a gallon of coconut oil from Mountain Rose Herbs for cooking so now I can’t wait to try this out! Thanks!
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March 22nd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Hey Lindsay,
I just thought I would mention to those of you who may not know that baking soda OFTEN has aluminum in it. So buy one that specifically says aluminum free on it, if you want to reap the health benefits of making your own.
Sounds like a wonderful recipe.
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Brooke Gallo replied on June 21st, 2008:
Baking POWDER is what usually has aluminum. Baking soda is just sodium bicarbonate. No aluminum in this. So, no need to worry!
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March 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I don’t know what kind of habit you have in the states…I have a fair complexion and thin skin, but every thing is OK for me, no drye or red skin…but perhaps you “shave” more often because it would explain alot.
I don’t mean I keep all of it but I do consider it is there for some reason…so I am not on it every day or what…
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March 22nd, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Lindsay, is it strong enough for men? My husband does a lot of yard work in the summer.
Nicole, I have VERY sensitive skin, and I have to watch anything and everything I use on my body. And I haven’t had any problems. I have been using CO for years in my aspects. I used the cold pressed kind (the best, and has the most health benefits)
I do shave every other day, I don’t like feeling prickly! No red bumps from shaving either!
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March 25th, 2008 at 7:55 am
You know, I’ve tried so many natural deodorants and have been so disappointed with them. I am very willing to give this a try! Perhaps I’ll make some today and if it works for me, I’ll post about it. Thanks Lindsay!
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March 27th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Lindsay, I’ve made this deodorant, and love it, but I’m having trouble with how solid it gets. I know the coconut oil solidifies under 79 degrees, but do you have this difficulty? It’s pretty hard, I can’t even push my fingers in the mixture to get some out. Did I mix something wrong, or is there a trick to this>
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Lindsay replied on March 27th, 2008:
I would try adding more coconut oil. If you add enough it should maintain the texture of regular deodorant. Keep it moist is the key. Let me know if it improve for you. It is something you have to experiment with.
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March 27th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Thanks Lindsay, I’ll give it a shot and let you know. By the way, I appreciate Kimi’s comment about baking soda often having aluminum in it. I didn’t know that. That would certainly be defeating, wouldn’t it?!
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May 3rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
So will this be the texture of a stick deoderant? And you can pack it into an old container or is it more like a jell?
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Lindsay replied on May 3rd, 2008:
You want a moist consistency so it is easy to spread. Gradually add the coconut oil till it is easy to ply with your fingers and rub onto your skin. It is more like the consistency of shortening/lard (that’s all I can think of to compare it to!). I pack it into an small plastic container, but it might work just as well in an old deodorant container.
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May 5th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Hi Lindsay,
I just recently found your blog and I love it!! I really like the idea of this deodorant; do you have to use coconut oil or will other oils work? For instance, sweet almond oil? That’s one I happen to have on hand.
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Lindsay replied on May 5th, 2008:
I am not sure. I know different oils will change the consistency. Coconut oil is a solid substance, which enables this mixture to maintain a moist but firmer consistency. It would be worth a try. Coconut oil is recommended because of its antibacterial properties, and is very healthy for the skin. In many tropical countries, coconut oil is used alone as a deodorant and is said to be very effective.
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May 8th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Lindsay-
When you order the gallon of CO from Mountain Rose, how do you store it? I’m assuming you seperate out what you use for body care from cooking. And have you had a problem with the deodorant with the warmer weather? I put mine in an old deodorant container, and it’s so sloppy and oily lately I’m not sure what to do with the warming temperatures? If you could help, that’d be great!
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Lindsay replied on May 8th, 2008:
I usually put some of the CO in a smaller jar in the bathroom for quick use as lotion, but I will just scoop some out of the large container when making deodorant. I haven’t tried putting the deodorant in a old container, so I can see that as being a problem. You could either add more of the cornstarch to thicken it, or just transfer to another container with lid.
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May 16th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
What is arrowroot and where can you buy it?
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Lindsay replied on May 17th, 2008:
Arrowroot is a more natural alternative to cornstarch (thickening agent). It is available at any health food store, such as in bulk at fred meyer nutrition. I purchase mine through Azure Standard.
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June 5th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Lindsay,
I have made this deoderant and it seems to work. My husband, myself and older son are using it. However, it left my son and myself with a itchy rash. Also, after I shave it really stings if I put it on. Have you had this problem? Do you think the baking soda could cause the problem of a rash? Maybe I should cut down on the baking soda and increase the arrowroot a little???
Elaine
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Lindsay replied on June 7th, 2008:
Elaine, I have had occasional problems with a bit of a rash and stinging, but I am not sure if it was due to the deodorant or not. Either way, for both problems I would recommend less baking soda. I tried a batch recently with just two tbsp to 1/4 cup arrowroot powder and it hasn’t caused any problems. I also found it is best to wait a little while after shaving before applying and have a good quality razer!
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Cindy Bruce replied on June 15th, 2008:
I was wondering, I am allergic to coconut oil, what could I substitute? Palm oil? Also I just wanted to note that a lot of baking sodas have aluminum in them so you would want to make sure it was aluminum free. Thank you,
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Lindsay replied on June 15th, 2008:
Palm oil would definitely be my other thought in replacement of coconut oil, as it has the same texture but not necessarily the same anti-bacterial component. It would be worth a try.
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June 14th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I hope you don’t mind my sharing an alternative. Years ago I gave up the aluminum-containing anti-persperant deoderants and have since tried various brands, none of which worked well. I also haven’t had much success using coconut oil as a deodorant. Out of bit of desperation (moving into hot, humid days now), recently I asked my husband to buy vodka, which I poured into an empty witch hazel bottle. It has worked well so far.
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July 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
i love this recipe!!it last long and has worked well on hot days on when working out!i’ve tried natural deoderants that smelled funny when perspired.so this is what i will use for my whole family!
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July 10th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Can you mix the ingredients together when the coconut oil is in liquid form? It is rather warm here and the coconut oil is not staying solid at this time.
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Lindsay replied on July 10th, 2008:
Sure, why not. I have heard of others storing it in the refrigerator to keep it solid, but you can apply it wet as well! Use a fan to dry quickly before putting on any garments. You could also increase the baking soda to help make it more solid.
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July 13th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I tried to do the 2 Tbl. baking soda, 1/4 c. cornstarch b/c of the irritation and I mixed it with about 5 Tbl. melted coconut oil and I’m having trouble with it clumping. Not in the container, it has a nice consistency, kind of like frosting, but when I go to spread it on it doesn’t spread smoothly, it just stays in like dime size clumps on my underarms and will not spread at all. Super annoying! Has anyone had this and how did you remedy it? I’ve found this before as the summer got hotter and the CO melted my last batch did this clumping thing too. Is it too much cornstarch in comparison to the baking soda?
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Lindsay replied on July 13th, 2008:
Jen, the problem may be that you melted the coconut oil in the first combining of ingredients. I would try using it in its solid form and see if that helps.
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