Did you know you can make your own wonderful deodorant with just a few completely natural ingredients? This recipe is awesome! It is frugal and very effective! Aaron & I have been using it for over a year 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:
5-6 Tbsp Coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder. Then slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon until it maintains the substance you desire. It should be about the same texture as the store bought kind, solid but able to be applied easily. 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! This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.
Read here and here for more wonderful uses of coconut oil!
For the best price around on organic quality coconut oil, check out Mountain Rose Herbs. Delicious for so many uses!
i am so happy to find your recipe for fresh and natural deordorant. the products in the store are really not safe for us. keep up the great work and always expand your ideas and recipes!! thank you
Love this deodorant!! Thank you so much for sharing it! My husband and I wanted to switch to a healthier option over a year ago. Thus, we tried crystal sticks. They were expensive but they are still not used up! My husband really likes his crystal stick, however, it didn’t seem to work great for me! Maybe it is because we live in such a Hot Climate! It was 100 degrees or more for most of the summer! We broke all records! Anyhow, I started using your recipe during this time! Your deodorant is great! Even in this climate!
Since this is made with oil will it stain the underarm area of our shirts? I’m really excited about trying it out. Thanks.
It may cause slight staining to white shirts but I have never experienced any staining with anything else. You can use an oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide for the white garments.
I am looking for a different recipe too. I get a horrible rash and peeling under the arms after a week or two of use. Although this works better than anything I’ve ever tried, even the Rx deo. I really want this to work.
I recommend trying less baking soda and make sure it is really a natural brand! I definitely experienced a difference from using Arm & Hammer to purchasing one sold through a natural food co-op. Also, adding shea butter has really helped nourish my skin more. I will be sharing my updated recipe soon but those are the changes I made to solve my irritation problem.
Hi there! I wanted to let you know that I mention you in my blog about greener living! Check it out if you get the chance! http://www.jeezejulia.wordpress.com
Thanks!
Ok, so the new recipe doesn’t work as well as I thought. My husband and I both ended up stinky today, granted it was at the end of a nine hour workday. It did work for most of the day, I guess its back to the kitchen to reformulate once more. The old recipe was awesome, but the irrition that happened after a period of time was rough. If anyone finds a formula before me, please post. I still love this deodorant.
Thanks for this post! I found your blog through google and I love all your homemade ideas.
Excellent stuff! I made some for myself and have been delighted with the results. It even got me through the first day of the semester (teaching) and that’s a feat. Thank you!
Thanks for the deodorant recipe. I threw it together this morning and it works great!
Bobbie
so, I tried Afryia’s recipe and I must say, this works much better!
My skin was getting irritated with the old recipe and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I tried acv and that was horrendous, I tried just coconut oil and teatree oil and that too was horrendous. Then I tried 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 3 teaspoons corn starch and 5-6 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil and My skin feels much better and no funky smells at the end of the day! Thanks Afryia!
Hi Deanna – are these proportions correct? 5-6 tablespoons coconut oil looks way too much for 3.5 teaspoons soda/cornstarch. Can you please clarify? Thanks, Jane
Ta Daa
It seems that my problem was the quantity of baking soda to the cornstarch. i tried a 2grms baking soda to 12 grms cornstarch ratio and that worked . No irritation at all. Another cool observation is that when I had my shower in the night time I dint have to put on anymore I stayed almost odour free till morning.
Im greatfull for this blog in so many ways
I had the same issues… I love the deodarent, and it’s all I use… but on my next batch I need to try a different baking soda. That’s what is causing my irritation, as I tried baking soda alone to test it. Does anyone know of a more natural baking soda? Or less irritating?
Yes, I have found changing baking soda brands helps significantly. I buy a natural baking soda from Azure Standard(my whole food co-op). Walgreens sells a brand called Deerfield Farms that claims to be all natural, but I have not tried it. Bob’s Red Mill would be another excellent choice.
I’ve heard people say that it works just as well without any baking soda at all, so you might try a small batch that way as well. Best of luck~
Thanks so much ladies! I will try both… another baking soda and maybe none at all. We’ll see.
ok … so Itried the deoderant A+ for combatting odour and moisture. I am how ever getting a bit of irritation so Iam gonna do it again with more cornstarch than baking soda and see if that helps . I ave given a few samples to my family and friends to try… we will see
I have had some horrible experiences with natural deoderant in the past. Everything you can think about I have tried frrom the crystal to the actual deoderant and I got NASTY reactions. At one point all the skin from my underarms peeled off and was sore and raw for weeks. The actual deoderants have left me with painfull lumps on a reoccouring basis so I have resorted to cornstarch baby powder or lime juice ( the lime juice works but after a few days that too burns). The possitive comments here seem so convincing that I am gonna buy the ingredients and try this from tomorrow. I hope and pray that this is something I can add to my day to day living for an extened period of time. I have been so dissapointed in the past. It sounds like it will deliver what it promises( i live in the caribbean a very hot climate so I NEED this to work). I will be back with the good news…drum roll please!!
Hi.
Thanks for the deodorant idea. Reg. deodorant hurts my skin.
I see from your page that you live in Vancouver and you’re a Christian.
I am also a Christian and I live out in the Langley area.
Take care.
Stewart.
I made deoderant according to your recipe the other day and had trouble with the consistency. Living on the Gulf Coast of Florida, I have found that my coconut oil doesn’t really get solid at room temperature. (We keep our home just barely comfortable in order to save on electricity costs. Sometimes it’s over 80 degrees in the house, particularly when we’re all at school/work.) I added equal amounts of cornstarch and baking soda until I was happy with the solidity. It’s actually quite creamy. I’ve been able to use the deoderant for several days and have been very pleased with the results. Thanks for the healthy and frugal idea!
I’m not sure I ever thanked you for this….I use it on my little girl, who developed underarm odor at a young age. We call your recipe her “special coconut lotion”, and it has kept her smelling fresh and feeling confident. I started using it too, and it works great! Thank you so very very much.
This deoderant is wonderful. I have had problems with almost every commercial deoderant (still stinking, itching, burning, ruined underarms on shirts etc.) This recipe is wonderful and I have had no problems at all. I am using cornstarch, arm and hammer baking soda and coconut oil from the cooking isle at Wal-Mart. Some people have commented that you need a quality coconut oil, but I do not believe that is necessary. It is also the heat of summer and I am not perspiring any more than I did using other deoderants (besides you are supposed to sweat, it rids your body of excess salts and other wastes).
Does this work well as an anti-perspirant as well?
No. Only chemicals will solve that. Your body is supposed to naturally perspirate. I would say that this recipe has definitely cut back the amount of perspiration but not eliminated it entirely.
Hello, I was wondering if it is supposed to be creamy, opposed to solid? If it tends to be more creamy, I was wondering if beeswax will help to make it more solid. I am trying to make this for my boyfriend, he breaks out into rashes from regular deodorants but I’m not sure how he will feel about the creamy texture, thats why I ask. Thanks!
IT depends upon the temperature. Coconut oil will remain solid if it is under 75 degrees. Otherwise, it will start to melt. Many have had success storing in the fridge to keep it solid. Beeswax would probably be a good alternative as well.
I make deodorant and wanted to make a point of saying that it is possible to have a detox reaction to essential oils, you may get a rash under your arms, just discontinue use for a few days, then try again and you should be fine. If you prefer not to make your own, I sell mine on etsy. http://www.elegantroseboutique.etsy.com
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, Lindsay! I just tried it yesterday and it worked! This is a huge blessing to me. I have been feeling concerned by my use of aluminum-containing antiperspirant for a while, but I just couldn’t tolerate any of the natural alternatives. Although I have switched away from several SLS or commercial brands of other body products, this one was my big hurdle. I am new to your site, but I love it and I’m telling a number of my girlfriends about it. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with others.
I have actually come across that lately. Growing up I always felt as though I was the only one who had a sweating problem, but it seems to be more prominent than not.
I ran out of my usual deodorant yesterday so I got a natural alternative until I heard back from you. Thanks a bunch!
So I have an embarrassing sweating problem in my armpits, does this do the job? I have never found a deodorant to control it. I’d love to try this but will it do the job? Can I get Coconut Oil at my local store or do I need to special order it? Thanks! I’m enjoying your site
I am in the same boat dear! I have a serious sweating problem as well and this deodorant is the only means that I have found to solve this problem. You will want to find quality coconut oil to get the job done successfully and this is available in health food stores, through Mountain Rose Herbs (As linked to above) or vitacost.com has a good brand as well.
You can purchase coconut oil at Walmart in the pharmacy area with the vitamins. It’s about $9.97 for 12 ounces.
i just wanted to mention that iherb has a 7oz. container for $5.26, i always order from this site, they are great and almost always have the best online prices and free shiping on $40 dllr orders! hope this helps!
I just wanted to let you know that I have been using straight baking soda for a couple years now and find that it works great! I simply keep a pretty container full by the sink and dab it on after my shower. It doesn’t have the extra nice scent from the essential oils. You probably could add essential oils to the baking soda as well. Sometime I will be trying this recipe but for now I love that I don’t have to mix anything up – how simple!
Thank you for your blog!
ok, Im a bit confused. after suffering badly from laurely sulfate rash I decided to use a more natural form of shampoo which worked fine. I tried your deoderant recipe and came across a few issues you may be able to rectify for me. #1 it got hard in my roll on tube making it almost impossible to use without imersing in warn water. #2 it left white marks on my clothes. #3 I got a rash as it was a bit rough when applying under arms, wonder if it was the powders that made me a bit sensative? any help would be great. thanks
I would recommend reading through some of the other comments here as we have addressed all of those issues before.
Just wondering? Tried this recipe and it works great. Has anyone had problems with stains on their shirts? And if so, what can I do to treat the underarms of our t-shirts?
Thanks!
Try some vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
I have noticed a darker stain initially on the shirts (when moist after application) but I don’t think it stays around. If it does, it’s the grease making the mark, and I’ve found that hot water and dishwashing liquid (cuts the grease, right?) works best to get these out, although it’s almost hopeless if they’ve gone through the dryer already.
I’ve used Zout w/much success w/getting grease stains out, dryer or fresh Zout will get it out!
Now, Zout is not “natural” by any means, but it works better than anything else I’ve tried.
Any tips for traveling with this in the summer? Mine melted and dripped to the bottom of my deodorant applicator – bummer! I might have to use regular deo on vacation, or pack a small jar of it instead…but it will be so difficult to apply. I love using the old deo container…
Yes, that happened to us last summer when we took it camping. The only idea I had was to keep it in the cooler and that worked! Otherwise, just keep a small standard deo container for vacations as you suggested.
I just bought some coconut oil the other day. I just have one question. Is it supposed to be liquid or solid? I know it sounds silly, but when I bought it from the store it was white in color and looked about like the consistency of shortening. Then, after sitting in my hot kitchen, it was like regular oil. So, I put it in the fridge. Where and how is the best way to store it? Thanks so much.
Yes, it will come in solid form, but liquefies at around 75 degrees. It is perfectly safe to store at room temperature for an average of six months or more. I store it in my turntable cabinet in my kitchen without any problems. I also keep some in our bathroom as deodorant and to use as a conditioner/hair gel. Sometimes on hot days it definitely will liquefy, but most of the time it is in a semi-solid state. Hope that helps!
Wow, I can’t believe this actually works for ME! I’ve tried every natural alternative and never found any that worked. But amazingly after almost two weeks, this fabulously simple recipe is still conquering the Queen of Stink. I’m finding it helps to blow dry after showering just to deny the bacteria a fertile ground, and then apply the ambrosia of the armpits. Sometimes I have to do a touch-up if it’s a particularly tough day at the office, but then that was also true with the store-bought cancer sticks and roll-ons.
I chose arrowroot and haven’t had any problem with rashes, peeling, staining of clothes, or anything. Well, except that I want to sniff my armpits a bit too often these days. It smells wonderful. I did incorporate some essential oils to bring anti-bacterial properties and, of course, a nice scent. A drop of lavender oil (smells great) and several drops of cypress oil (more than I intended actually – oops). It’s the perfect deodorant. And if it works for me, maybe it’ll even work for my sisters!
I love your site, and this deodarent!! However – my problem is that I developed a rash from it. It didn’t hurt or itch, but after a few days it formed like a skin. I was actually able to PEEL it off. I’m assuming I’m reacting to something in the deodarent, perhaps the coconut oil? Is there another oil you can use in its place.
Thanks so much again for the recipes, insights and motivation!!!
There may very well be an adjustment period for your skin. I had rash issues originally as well, but then it went away. I wouldn’t take out the coconut oil as it is the main ingredient that is antibacterial. Try a different variety of baking soda – a more natural one. That usually is the problem.
I was wondering, has anyone had trouble with the deodorant burning? My mother, sister, husband and I have all had issues with this. I used MRH CO, Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and cornstarch. It doesn’t happen everytime but it does occur more often than not. It isn’t always after shaving either. I’ve tried patting it on, swiping it on like regular deodorant and nothing seems to make a difference. Any ideas??
Thanks so much for this recipe! I discovered the use of baking soda last summer and it works great. I used just a damp towel dabbed in dry b.s. worked wonders! But I was looking for a more convenient way to store and use the deodarant so I will be making this tonight. Another reason I love this idea is my daughter, God Bless her soul, stinks like a construction worker after playing outside! She is far too young for traditional deodarant but I definitely wanted something natural to keep her fresh and I know this will work great. I already use baking soda to clean along with vinegar just about everything in my house!
Baking POWDER, not baking soda, is sometimes made with aluminum, depending on the brand. You can go ahead and use good old Arm & Hammer baking soda with no worries of it containing aluminum.
http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/baking-soda
I’ve been looking for an all natural deodorant recipe for a while. I’m so excited to try this one! I’d be making it right now, but I ran out of baking soda. Regular baking soda has aluminum in it, so I’ll be running to the health food store tonight =D
Is there any reason that you know of that another oil (like jojoba or sweet almond) would not work to make this deodorant? I really like to idea of making my own deodorant, but I’m not sure that I’ll use the coconut oil for other things often enough to justify buying 1 gallon of it… (I can’t seem to find coconut oil in my local stores and I like to use reputable/recommended sources online, and was considering Mountain Rose Herbs, but I don’t really want 1 gallon of the stuff.)
You can try, but those oils do not have the same anti-bacterial functions that coconut oil possesses which make it effective as a deodorant. It is well worth the purchase just to start using in your cooking. It lasts two years so no fear of it going bad.
Ah, thanks!
Also, if you use it in baking to replace another oil, butter or shortening, what proportion do you use? Thanks!
ps: I like your blog a lot! Keep up the good work!
You simply replace the butter/oil with equal proportions of coconut oil. It’s that easy!
Perfect! Thanks so much!
Lindsey I would think that aside from all the other qualities of coconut oil the fact that it solidifies and others dont as easily makes it even better for use as deo. Seems any other oils wouuld be messy
I’ve actually always bought extra virgin unrefined CO at health food stores or the natural area in the grocery store. They almost always have, but sometimes you have to hunt or ask. It’s not just usually with the other oils in the grocery store. Or sometimes you only may find the refined CO…but now, thanks to Lindsay, I’m going to buy it online because we use a lot.
Thanks for much, Lindsay…I can’t wait to make this! We made the diaper cream/lotion and love it!
Hi Kat! I have not made this deodorant yet, but I wanted to let you know that I found my coconut oil at Meijer and it is a 14oz jar. I cannot see myself needing the 1 gallon either… even if I do cook with it. But even if you don’t have a Meijer around you, I would think that a Giant Eagle would probably carry it, as they usually have some of the harder to find ingredients. Hope that helps!
I don’t think I have a Meijer or a Giant Eagle near me, never heard of them, (I’m in the San Francisco Bay Area.) Are these place a kind of health food store or natural foods store?
Yay! I found some at the local grocery that also carries some neat homeopathic and herbal things.
Side note… I’ve since found coconut oil in a couple smaller healthy stores and at Whole Foods as well. The funny thing is that you can buy coconut oil [potentially] in two different sections of a grocery store. You can get it in the homeopathic/body section and you can also find it with the cooking oils. The funny part is that for the same exact item (same manner of production, pure, same size) you will pay $1-2 more for the item picked up in the “homeopathic/body” section of the store than the same thing from the cooking oil section!
I must admit that another reason for wanting to buy a smaller amount of oil, locally, is that I *really* wanted to try this recipe out asap! I didn’t want to wait for something to be shipped out to me. Incidentally, I made up a tiny batch last night and am sampling it today. So far I really like it! I tweaked the proportions a bit and added some essential oil to it… Here is how I made it:
1.5 T baking soda
1.5 T cornstarch
1 T coconut oil (actually, a *little* less than a full
tablespoon)
4 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
It was too liquid-y for me so I’d added a bit more of each of the dry ingredients, but I noticed that this morning when I went to use it, it had actually solidified nicely!
Thanks so much for the AWESOME idea, Lindsay!
Kat,
I have found the best website for ordering oils, butters, EOs and all other body products, prices are as awesome as the products
wholesalesuppliesplus.com
Debbie also has a blog where all of us soap and body product makers can exchange secrets of success and failure
Meri Lee
If you want to start with a smaller quantity, you can get a 15 oz jar of coconut oil on Vitacost.com for $5 to $7. I like Nutiva the best since it is cold processed and unbleached. Jarrow and Garden of Life are others that have a similar sized jar. Another plus to Vitacost is any size order is just $5 shipping. I buy most of my supplements there.
This is by far the best “all natural” deodorant I have ever used. My husband and I have been using it for about a month and we never get the funky BO smell we used to get with every other natural deodorant. I’m so pleased with this that I have my friends using it too!
This may seem like a silly question, but do you melt the oil first (if it is in a solid state) before mixing it up with the other 2 ingredients? Depending on the temperature in the house, my jar of coconut oil may be solid one day or runny the next. I can’t wait to try this!
Blessings,
Holly
It works better to keep it in it’s solid state when combining as it applies better that way. Others have suggested previously here that they store it in the fridge to keep it solid. I find that it stays fine at our place…combining with the other ingredients definitely helps.
I recently found your blog and immediately recommended it to my daughter-in-law, but I also check it regularly myself. Lots of great information.
I love cooking with coconut oil, but I wonder if the refined coconut oil would work just as well in these recipes for personal care products since the refined oil from Mountain Rose Herbs is less expensive than the unrefined.
I just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and I can’t get enough! I’ve made my own deodorant and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!! Nothing ever worked for me before….I am truly amazed at how wonderfully this works! I’m in the process of making the detergent, cleaners, hand soap and shampo replacements. Thank you for making this soooo easy. I’m excited about taking care of my family in a more natural way and in turn taking care of the Lord’s earth. I look forward to learning more! Blessings to you and your new little guy. What a gift!
I’m going to make this recipe- but I’m going to whip it like whipped body butter!
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I just wanted to thank you for this amazing recipe!
I was very skeptical at first, after having tried different natural (store bought) deodorants and have nothing work.
This homemade deodorant truly works better than anything I’ve tried. There has been no sweat, and no smell and I’m going on week 2 of use.
Seriously this deodorant is AMAZING. There is no stink at all! I have gotten several people hooked on it also. Thank you for sharing this recipe! I added a couple drops of essential oil and it adds a nice scent.
I just made a small batch of this. I put some on but I’m just sitting around this evening. Can’t wait to give it the real test. I love the feel of it!
The only problem I’m having is my dog wants to eat my underarms! She loves coconut oil! I try not to let her eat it, not sure if it’s ok.
Haha.. that’s funny. I suspect that coconut oil on it’s own is not a problem for dogs at all. In fact, it should confer most of the same benefits on dogs as it does on humans. Coconut oil mixed with a goodly quantity of baking soda probably isn’t the best for a dog, though. I mean, it wouldn’t kill them or anything, but it might upset their tummy. The essential oil you may or may not have added would be a bigger problem too.
Try paying her with grilled chicken for a nice “sit” or “down” half way across the room 
Use clicker training or other positive reinforcement training to teach your dog something other than sticking her nose in your armpits all the time … and reward her handsomely for it
This new recipe is on my To-Do list tomorrow! I have been looking for something that is easy to work up, and very easy on our wallet. We have the CO, the baking soda and the cornstarch. Question: have you used that, or only the arrowroot? We have none in the house, so cornstarch it will be…I was curious as to any difference in feel/smell/effectiveness between the two powders. What a blessing you are — THANK YOU!!
Just wanted to say thanks for this post. I just tried a batch for myself & husband this week and so far we are very pleased with it. He has sensitive skin and we were always trying new natural deoderants (without much sucess). This is an excellent option!
Thanks Again,
Jinger
I just wanted to add that my husband and i have been using this recipe for a while now and are VERY happy with the results. I find it MORE effective than regular deodorant. I do however, add Tea Tree oil and Peppermint oil which makes a refreshing smell and adds additional anti-bacterial properties…doesn’t even sting after shaving. I would mention though that if you don’t have central air/heating you may go from having liquid deoderant to a rock solid mass …I sometimes had to put ours in the fridge in the summer (if you don’t want all the powder to sink to the bottom!) but we’re so pleased with the results we don’t complain too much about the “inconvenience” …and obviously store it in a small covered jar.
Just a thought…. I have had no irritations at all with baking soda on my or my family’s skin wheather in deorant or other uses, so I am wondering if the essential oils added are the culprit, as they can irritate one’s skin…. Just a thought.
Blessings…
Deena
Deena,
If you are using fragrance oils it is very possible to have a reaction. Essential oils need to be used sparingly and some dont need to be in direct contact W/ skin. I would think that you shouldnt have a problem using Lavender essential oils as most skin types will except lavender and lavender is one of the few EOs that are safe to come in direct contact with the skin