For the updated version of this recipe, FAQ, along with demonstration video, please click here.
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!
This recipe is very nice Make sure you use aluminum free baking soda
Is there an alternative to the coconut oil if you have a coconut allergy?
I have used this formula with success, however, my biggest issue with it is that I still sweat, which I understand is a natural thing for my body to do, and I do not have odor. BUT, when the moisture dries, my clothes are left with white underarm discoloration. It seems to be permanent, perhaps from the baking soda? Any suggestions on what to do? Some if my blouses are now unwearable and they are not old at all.
Didn’t want to read through 400+ comments…well, wanted to, but don’t have time!
Does the coconut oil grease up the underarms of the clothing you are wearing? : /
Try adding Tea Tree essential oil to this recipe. It’s not harmful, it’s natural, and it’s smells great. Plus it has antibacterial components that fight against smelly bacteria. I used this recipe plus the TTO and loved it.
WOW! I tried this yesterday and it really works! I’m so thankful!
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For all of you with irritation under your arms and clogged pores. it may help to do this! I found this article today.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/227278-how-to-smooth-out-large-clogged-pores/
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! I make it just as you have and it works beautifully!!! I add 10 drops of tea tree and lavender oil. I just made batch for my 9 yo son because he asked for it. He’s starting to notice that he’s changing. I made his with 4 drops of lemon oil (no lavender for boys because it can interfere with hormones).
I have not heard that about lavender and hormones. Can you give me a link to that info or just more information. The reason I ask is because lavender is helping several ADHD kids that I know.
It was in the news not too long ago. Here is a link to a WebMD article:
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20070131/lavender-oil-may-spur-breasts-boys
My favorite essential oils to add to my deodorant is a tea tree/lavender mix!
Kristy, can you please tell me how you make it? I can’t use coconut because it clogs my pores. So if you’re using something else it would be nice to know.
I’ve been using the coconut oil recipe that she has here. I’ve seen some references in the comments of others who can’t use coconut oil. They seem to be using cocoa butter or shea butter or aloe butter. Maybe try that?
Ah, great. Will try it. Thanks
I have been using this for 2 years, and it has never failed me. I also developed a rash in the beginning, but mine was from the baking soda it is just too harsh for my sensitive skin. I changed up the recipe a bit using 2 tablespoons Baking soda, 4 Tablespoons Arrowroot, and 8 tablespoons Coconut oil. Fantastic, works like a charm
Thanks for the suggestion~ I made it this past summer and had no problems but the second batch I made has given me a rash under my arms. I have been searching to find something that might help. Plan on trying this out today!
I happen to have all that stuff:) I know what I’m doing
I saw this recipe two weeks ago so I gave it a try and I LOVE it! I got a rash for the first three days but after that I was good to go. I just spent the last two weeks traveling in airports and taxis but it held up great.
Hi all, I have been using this recipe for nearly 11 months now. For the first 7 months I suffered on and off with a raw, painful rash, plus occasional swollen lymph nodes in my armpits. That really hurt.
One day I looked closer at my box of cornflour and realised it was WHEATEN ‘cornflour’. Duh. I switched it out for arrowroot powder and ever since it is like applying a balm! Feels comfortable and soothing.
I sweat quite a bit less than I did when using heavy duty commercial deods,and the smell is more earthy/less pungent. In hot weather I usually reapply mid-afternoon to remain sweet-smelling.
I now add raw cacao butter, lavender, lime and tea tree oil to my coconut oil, bicarb soda and arrowroot. I never measure anything, it just seems to work out right.
I also had a rash and scaly pits at first and stunk! I realized that I had been rubbing an abrasive mixture onto a sensitive area, causing the pain. My solution is to use a bit of aloe vera under my arms and let it dry just a bit… Until it feels a bit sticky. Then, I gently pat a teensy bit of baking soda there and let it dry. I do not stink, do not have any more rashes, and do not have any deodorant prepping because I use plain baking soda. You can skip the a.v. and just use water, too.
i am currently using for my daughter 1/4 cup corn starch, 1/4 cup baking soda, and eucalyptus oil. My daughter is allergic to A LOT of things–no rash yet. The Eucalyptus oil was recommended for its antibacterial properties. It seems to work great for her. Any essential oil can create a burning effect or a rash. With my daughter, I would skip the arrow root–too many extra thing to which to get allergic. Going to try this as it should be easier for her to apply!
Looking forward to trying this!
Would this recipe still be effective if I used arrowroot powder in the place of baking soda? I’m making another batch and I plan to use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch to see if that is the problem with the burning and the rash on my armpits. I also plan to use 3 tablespoons of baking soda and add 1/4 cup of shea butter to see if this helps.
Thanks!
I made this for my husband but used more cornstarch than baking soda. I also added some shea butter, tea tree oil and a vitamin E blend. It seems to work fine for him and he hasn’t developed a rash. It does, however, leave an oily “stain” on his dress shirts, which makes him look like he has sweaty underarms. The stains do come out in the wash. Any suggestions to reduce the staining?
Yes. Just dissolve some salt into water until you can’t see the grains anymore (after a letting it settle for about twenty minutes). Then put it in an old spray bottle; perfume or other and apply. Hold your arms in a T and do the oggie-boogie a little bit until it dries. The downside is that saltwater isn’t super powerful and you will stink a little bit for a while until the colony of bacteria under your armpits has been repressed and if you are a particuarily sweaty person or are working out you will probably want to consider something else. But for fancy dress occasions, where you won’t be sweating a lot, this could be a suitable alternative. Though it does sting a little bit if you apply it right after shaving.
If the rash really was a detox reaction, then people who stop using deodorant altogether would be getting the same rash. It’s obviously something in the recipe causing the rash. I would think it’s the baking soda since it’s a salt and and that’s a pretty abrasive compound.
I use a homemade deodorant (oil, cornstarch, baking soda) during cool months and Summer weekends when I usually alone. During Summer months out in public I use the roll-on Crystal Body Deodorant once a day and sprinkle underarms with fragranced Corn Starch Baby Powder while underarms are still moist from the Crystal. In the past I used the salt block type but it started irritating my skin. Also, I use an electric razor to shave under my arms and try to avoid any deodorant for twelve hours after shaving. I am in my 50s and have lots of friends diagnosed with cancer. I keep scented store-bought deodorant in my luggage and may use it ten days a year.
Note: Use ALUMINUM-FREE baking soda and powder …. I’ve discovered they’re not all created equally.
How can you tell if it’s Aluminum-free? The box just says sodium bicarbonate USP #1 under ingredients.
I had a rash using a similar recipe. Try this:
1 tbs cornstarch
1 tbs baking soda
1.5 table spoon shea butter
melt together in microwave. add few drops of lavender oil.
Let harden and its ready to use.
Hello everyone. A tip I read in a modeling book is to buy dress guards if you sweat A LOT like I do. I have not gone dress guard hunting, but I think those thin lightdays pantyliners should do just fine. I haven’t tried this yet, but when I do, I’ll make sure to post the results!
I stopped using this as it’s now summer here and i need something stronger so i went back to aerosol, It was great for the first few weeks, but now i have the same rash i got when using the baking soda mix….i just don’t understand it! I’ve never had it before with general aerosol deodorants
I tried the original recipe using arrowroot powder. I love the fresh smell (though I’d love to add an essential oil to it) and it seemed to work well as far as keeping me smelling fine. However, after day 1 I ended up with a very bad red rash that was painfully itchy (seemed to get worse at bedtime…not quite sure why). I had heard that maybe the rashes and other such problems could be from detoxing, so I decided to continue using it for 2 weeks. If the rash wasn’t gone by then (or at least obviously improving) I would discontinue.
Well, by the end of 2 weeks, it had only gotten worse. I tried not using anything for a couple of days, but boy, I stank like crazy! (I always thought the store bought deodorants never really did anything for me for odor because I could never “smell” the deodorant. Well, apparently they did more for me than I thought because without anything, you can definitely smell ME.)
I have gone back to using the store bought stuff, only because I can’t go on stinking that way, and my armpits have always been very sensitive (I can’t even wear long sleeve shirts during the winter because of how sensitive they are) so dealing with the rash for 2 weeks took a lot of willpower. (I’m also pregnant right now, and very uncomfortable, so the extra rash wasn’t helping anything.) The rash is not gone, but is getting better, and is no where near as itchy as it was.
I’d still like to use a natural deodorant, but I’m wondering how to tweak the recipe. I have made the lotion/diaper cream recipe, and I love it, and use it on my hands all the time without a single problem. So apparently, by process of elimination, it must be the baking soda that I’m having a hard time with. (This is weird since I eat it in baked foods and have never had a problem.)
So, I may try what Jane mentioned…reducing the ratio between baking soda and arrowroot powder, and see if that works. I also thought about adding either lavender oil (since that is good for the skin) or tea tree oil, or maybe both. I may also try Vasilisa’s recipe. I didn’t like having to apply the original recipe with my fingers even though I had put it in an old deodorant container…it would clump off and not rub on when trying to apply it with the stick, but would melt when I’d scrape some off with my fingers. I’m also wondering if I was applying too much due to having to do it with my fingers.
How long did the rash last for those of you who had it? I’d like a realistic time period to expect. Hopefully I can try this again and have it work. If any of you have any other ideas, I’d love to hear them!
I’ve just finished using a similar recipe on my under arms. I smelled like the devil for the first little bit which was discouraging since I work at the reception desk at a radio station. But I persevered and eventually there was no more BO. And I was a smelly kid before. Now there isn’t even a trace of BO on my shirts even after I’ve worn them a few times. And no pit stains. I used a combination of Lavender and Tea Tree oils for their antiseptic and healing properties, and Lavender is by far my favourite oil.
Oh right, and when I got more to the end of my batch, I noticed a rash under one arm. I’m figuring its the baking soda too, but I also melted my last batch instead of just blending it all together. I’m thinking the baking soda didn’t blend in well and fell to the bottom. I’m heading out right now to get some arrowroot and try this bad boy again!
Hi Michelle and AnnaMichelle,
I wanted to tell you that the problem with the rash is not from detoxing it is from the bakingsoda which does a great job with keep the odor down but is an irratant to your skin in different amounts. The recipe above is great and will work for anyone however you have sensitive pits like myself and you have to use less cornstarch or you can use in its substitution with 4 tsp or clay (bentonite or other) wil do fine and to make the deodorant a bit more solid try adding about 1 table spoon of shea butter which also helps to heal the skin, with 1-1/2 teaspoon of grated beeswax or beeswax beads to the above recipe and you will have a great combination the works and will not cause a rash.
I hope this helps anyone who has been getting the rash under their arms. I know it hurts because I have experienced it first hand and so has one of my children. This will clear up. For me going back to regular store brought with the aluminum will never be an option. Good Luck Ladies.
P.S. you have to melt the beeswax and shea butter Let cool and then add the other ingredients stir with a wisk and put into what ever container you desire.
Hi Kellie, I don’t think you read my post correctly. I haven’t been using this stuff for about 2 months.
Sounds like your skin is very sensitive. Be careful using essential oils. I took a kit of essential oils with me on a trip to Asia, since I did not have the time to get all of my shots.
One of oils I took was lavender because it had so many good properties as well as being mild enough to use on a baby’s skin without being diluted. Apparently I used too much and after giving hand massages to several of my companions, I had a horrible rash that lasted for weeks. My hands past my wrists turned very dark and scaley, I could not go out anywhere and it was very difficult to put my hands into water. To this day, years later, I cannot get even a drop of lavender on my skin without an allergic reaction.
Just a word of caution. Always dilute your essential oils in a carrier oil.
Try eliminating the baking soda, and supplement w/ the corn starch
Hi! I was just reading through replies to see if anyone else had developed a rash or red bumps in their armpits because the second time I made this recipe my husband developed lots of red bumps in his armpits. I think the culprit is the arrowroot powder for some reason. The first time I made it, I made it with corn starch and my husband used the whole thing without developing any sort of rash. Not positive that is the reason for the rash, but it is the only thing I did differently the second time. Just thought I’d share
if you have break outs or rashes in using the mixture.
you may lessen the amount of baking soda. or do not rub tightly on your skin.
you may also try this mixture
Olive oil 1tb
Baking Soda 1 tb
Tea tree and lavender oil 6-10 drops
I just loved the smell of my armpit, Lavender! =)
You may also want to rub organic apple cider vinegar at night. this acts as deodorant too and may help whiten underarms.
i am using the vinegar for quite sometime now. I even tried not to take a bath for 1day, No Underam Smell at all!
Can anyone help with this? I tried this deodorant today for the first time – and so far no smell which is great – but I looked in the mirror and I have large “pit stains” on my gray t-shit. Although it’s not from sweat b/c I haven’t experienced that at all today – it’s from the oil in the deodorant. Did I put too much on? I put maybe 3 swipes. Or is that to be expected?
its also my problem .
my clothes have stains too but they will disappear once washed. But its embarrassing to raise your hand, because they may see the large stain in your shirt.
ANy help?
and, at the end of the day, it smells like pure Baking soda with sweat. its not bad but it would be better if the nice smell from the oil remains all day.
ANy oil that can i add to the mixture which lasts the whole day??
Thanks!
I did try this using the cornstarch. Though I have been “alluminum antipersperant/deoderant” free for a few years now, this is much easier than what I had been doing. I used to use a cheap aluminum free roll on and then pat on a mixture of equal parts of corn starch and baking soda with a make-up pouf. It worked, but not great. I heard coconut oil worked as a deoderant so one day I tried it and it worked pretty well, so I started looking for a recipe for deoderant using coconut oil.
I used this basic recipe but I did change things up a bit. I used equal parts of baking soda, corn starch, and coconut oil. I also added some bees wax in hopes of being able to put it in an old deoderant container and use it that way. I also used some lavender oil to make it more scented. The deoderant container idea didn’t work as well as I’d liked. It just came off more in clumps than spreading evenly and I ended up rubbing it in with my fingers anyway, so now I just use a dab from a jar and rub it in. Also, the lavender oil wasn’t the best scent to go with the scent in the coconut oil. It’s tolerable but I wouldn’t do it again. Maybe next time I will try using a citrus and a little tea tree oil.
I have also read that cocoa butter will make it harder and was thinking it might make the deoderant tube idea work, so next time I might do half coconut oil and half cocoa butter to see how well it works. I also plan on using arrow root powder rather than corn starch, and using less baking soda. The baking soda doesen’t irritate me much, but it does feel somewhat like rubbing salt on your skin when you are putting it on. For me this will keep any type of BO away from one shower to the next (I usually shower every day though), even in high sweat situations. It also seems to make shaving a lot smoother than it used to be. Maybe it’s the coconut oil.
can i replace coconut oil with olive oil?
Olive oil does not have the same anti-bacterial properties and would leave a stain.
I have now been using this recipe for over a year, and I LOVE it! Even my husband uses it most of the time, and he bikes to and from work. I also enjoy being able to add drops of lavender and grapefruit oils, which makes a very fresh, clean scent with the coconut oil.
It’s important to mention that it’s probably the lauric acid in the coconut oil that is the most active ingredient. That said, make sure you are using virgin coconut oil and not fractionated coconut oil in this recipe since fractionated coconut oil has the lauric acid removed.
Lauric acid destroys S. epidermidis. It’s the metabolic byproducts of S. epidermidis feeding on sweat that are a major cause of odor.
Some people are allergic to coconut oil so it’s a good idea to test it on your skin before using just to be sure you don’t react.
Vic – I am curious about the allergy to coconut oil. If I were allergic to it used as deodorant, used in toothpaste, etc. would I be able to eat/drink coconut water or milk or candy bars with coconut in them and not have a reaction? I have been dealing with a recurring hives rash since the end of January (it goes away with medication, comes back a week or so later) and there are only a few things that I think it could be. Coconut oil is one of them, but I have had Mounds bars for years, I have had Coconut water with no problem, etc… Curious about your thoughts on this since you seen to have an awareness.
That could very likely be your culprit. My brother’s family has some coconut allergies and it’s skin rashes. They don’t eat it but when it’s in a lotion their skin turns to sandpaper with red splotches.
I tried this and I’ve been using it for 2 weeks already. I include few drops of Lavander oil on the recipe and it really works. Thank you
Also to anyone making this recipe with tea tree oil it can cause irritation to sensitive skin. I’m about to make up a fresh batch with no tea tree and a little less baking soda to try as i can’t tell which is irritating my skin.
Both can be irritants. I had to stop using it because I am pregnant now and the deo in any proportion was irritating my skin and was not doing the job at all.
From the beginning I avoided making it 50/50. I made 1:4 (soda:starch) and 1:3. 1:6 proportion was not sticking well together and coconut oil kept “running out” leaving the deo hard and too dry. For teatree oil I would say 1 or 2 drops per every tablespoon of coconut oil you use – this way it won’t be irritating.
I use this recipe with baking soda and I love it. I used only a drop or two of tea tree oil for the antibaterial qualities and lavender oil or other essential oil for smell, but I found that if melt it all together in the microwave after I have mixed it all together ,no more irritation. When I microwaved it, it was for about 20 seconds at a time and then stir it good. I repeated this 3 to 4 times to make sure the baking soda was disolved and evenly dispursed in the mixture. I have been rash free for months now and no smell or clothes stains.
For me – just straight coconut oil works well as a deodorant as well as just tea tree oil. I love coconut oil for everything, bath oil, cooking, face at night and as a hair moisturizer. However, I’ve found that the cheapest way to go for deodorant is the Thai mineral salt – it looks like a rock crystal. $6 at the drugstore and last almost a full year. Works great.
Does anyone understand the actual function of the 3 main ingredients in the mix? Just wondering how relatively important they are for stopping odour/reducing sweating. If you can drastically reduce the bicarb soda as many are suggesting, why not eliminate it if it is the cause of everyone’s rashes? (I’ve got painful red lumps in my pits after 5 days using this mix)
I love the thought that I might be just going through a detox stage and it will get better, but at the moment it’s getting worse, and I can’t stand the idea of going back to commercial deods.
PS, I’m loving a combination of lemongrass oil and lime oil, plus am adding rosehip oil.
The purpose of DEODERANT is never to reduce or hinder sweating. That is the job of an antiperspirant. Plain old deoderant just helps to reduce the bacteria caused by sweating that is the cause of the smell. I have found where I live in the summer I cannot do without antiperspirant….it’s humid and in the triple digits and it’s constant sweating. But it’s nasty. I wish I could find a way around when you soak through the pits of your shirts it doesn’t really matter how well the deoderant is working bc you LOOK nasty. lol
Rosehip oil has a high concentration of Vitamin C, which can cause some people to break out in a rash when applied topically. Try avoiding that ingredient and see if it helps.
You mentioned….. (I’ve got painful red lumps in my pits after 5 days using this mix)
I love the thought that I might be just going through a detox stage and it will get better, but at the moment it’s getting worse, and I can’t stand the idea of going back to commercial deods.
So.. do you really think it’s detox stage…
How are the lumps.. are they still there.. or you got healed after the detox stage.. ?
Would love to hear from you… : )
Hi Emily,
well it’s been almost 5 months and I’ve only used my old deod once in that whole time (during a day of hard work outdoors in the South Australian summer!).
Unfortunately, I can report almost constant trouble under my arms. I thought it was due to ingrown hairs but having read back through the posts, I’m now thinking maybe clogged pores, which get itchy and then infected like little pimples, then I’m sometimes getting a swelling in my lymph glands too which is super painful.
I haven’t messed around with the recipe all that much. My next batch will be mainly coconut oil, so it stays a bit softer over winter. Unlike most, I really like to apply it with my fingers like moisturiser – I find it annoying when it sets hard. I’m gonna try omitting the rosehip oil, which I just assumed would help, and substituting arrowroot for the cornflour.
I’ve found tea tree oil to be helpful when the lumps gets bad, but I don’t use it in the deod mix as the smell is overpowering.
On a related topic, I’ve used nothing but coconut oil on my face for 3 months with pretty good results. Yay coconut oil!! (I eat a fair bit of it too).
I am experiencing the same problem with the painful red lumps in my pits, does anyone know the cause of this. I don’t want to go back to commercial deods either. I have also been taking coconut oil orally but causes nausea so had to stop taking it.
I am experiencing the same problem with the painful red lumps in my pits, does anyone know the cause of this. I don’t want to go back to commercial deods either. I have also been taking coconut oil orally but causes nausea so had to stop taking it. My ingredients are baking soda, arrowroot flour, coconut oil and small amount of tea tree oil.
FYI….Lemongrass essential oil can be extremely irritating to the skin
I am making this now, cant wait! I hope it turns out! Thank to all who responded with advice =)
& Thanks, Lindsay!
Hey Ya’ll ! I absolutely LOVE this recipe!! It really really works!! But, I am getting knots under my arms since I started using it and they are painful. I know it is one of the ingredients that is causing it. Not sure which one or why. Can anyone tell me what is going on? Thanks so much!
Hi Raine. My husband was also getting painful knots under his arms after using this. He went to the doctor yesterday and found out they are clogged pores, much like pimples are. His were infected and on their way to becoming abcesses, so he is on topical & oral antibiotics now.
I was very excited that I had “converted” him from his anti-perspirant & deodorant to this….and that it was working for him. The doctor didn’t come out and say that it was this deodorant that caused it, for sure, though. We do feel it is related, since others have mentioned having the same issues. A big thing the doctor emphasized, however, is making sure your armpits are very clean. Hope your knots go away soon and that they don’t get infected. Hopefully you will be able to still use this recipe. I find that it works fabulously.
It can very easily be actually detoxing your pores from using the yucky stuff. Other ladies have shared this same experience and it gradually started working just fine once all the toxins were out of your system. Does that make sense?
Love to know that this is true… : )
I think it may be the mixture– I had not used any deoderant for many years before trying this, and have had some irritation that I can’t contribute to detoxing, as there was nothing to detox from. It could be that it has been in the 90′s for about three weeks though:) Also, I added a few drops of Eucalyptus citriodora, which is anti-tick, so maybe I’m reacting to that. Going to make a new batch, that’s why I came to this site. Thx.
I doubt any rash was from detoxing. Probably it is the immune system developing resistance to the bacteria one is putting onto the armpit by dipping dirty fingers into the jar every time they apply deodorant, or it is an allergy to an ingredient. I have also seen my husband have issues with using the same deodorant for more than a month (the Thai salt one), and it is related to product contamination moreso than the ingredients. He switched to a new stick of the same product and the rash disappeared right away.
An applicator would be a better idea than using fingers, and have one that prevents contact of the product container with the skin. Maybe a popsicle stick or brush than can be washed between uses…?
I tried this recipe and it seemed to work great for a few days during the work week. However, the first weekend I used it watching my daughter play larosse in a tournament all day I smelled terrible.
Any thoughts on adjusting the mixture? I made it exactly as described above.
Also, I noticed that the texture (while in the container) varied from runny to solid throughout the week. I’m in Florida so the humidity may have something to do with that.
Coconut oil melts very easily, it can go from solid to liquid with just your body temperature applied. The temperature fluctuations may be causing it to go runny. Maybe try storing in your fridge and it should stay solid. Might be a bit chilly when applying though. =)
You may also try adding some beeswax or candelilla wax to the mixture. Both of these waxes melt at higher temperatures than coconut oil and may help keep the deodorant in a more solid state
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve been struggling with BO for the longest time – nothing, not even the clinical strength formulas was working any more.
However, after just a few days using this recipe, I am a total convert!
Hi, I was wondering about the following: I tried different ration of cornstarch and soda but it seems like I keep getting the white spots on my dark clothes. I found the only solution to it ATM is to wet my fingers or my armpits and then apply the deodorant. Any other ideas? Am I not mixing it well or they are not dissolving well? Adding a few drops of teatree oil helped a lot as it does keep the smell away better rather than just the cornstarch, soda and CO alone. I must note here I live in the South of China so it is pretty humid here.
Thanks for the recipe. I have been using it for more than a month now and I really don’t see myself going back to the commercial deodorant. I am switching my household to more natural things (own soap, own perfume, own cleaning products etc). My husband was a bit skeptic at the beginning now has asked me now for an aftershave and a perfume
Hi China Mom,
I used to have the same problem. I found an efficient method is to really rub the ddeodorant on your skin. The friction will cause the hard bits to dissolve. Also you might want to increase the amount of coconut oil, maybe your mixture is too dry?
The one I made has a texture similar to a body butter and while it’s annoying to apply, becaue I have to use my fingers, it does feel great on the skin.
Hope I was able to help
Hi.. How do you make your own soap… Can give recipe… I would like to learn… : )
I’m wondering if this will solve the “plasticizing” of my hubby’s undershirts and dress shirts? Will the oil cause another stain to be treated with each wash? As it is, I’m awful at treating stains, and would prefer to find a stain-and-plasticizing free solution! Thanks!
I don’t have a problem with staining and we have been using this for 3 years.
Have you tried a vinegar rinse in your laundry to get rid of that “plasticizing” problem?
I loved this deodorant dearly for three months before I experienced unpleasant red bumps on my armpits. I have since read that cornstarch has been known to clog pores and promote bacteria growth. SO, I hope arrowroot is better because I love how this stuff works!
Yes, I have known for years that starch applied to baby butts causes a rash, so I am going to try this one without the starch, just the coconut oil and beeswax. Perhaps I will add some lavender oil, too.
I love this recipe and have been using it for about 2 months. I was just wondering if anyone else had noticed a discoloring of their skin after using it. I’m very pale, but I’ve noticed the skin under my arms (more the left than the right) is darkening. It’s not itchy or irritated, just darker.
I used a 1:4 ratio of arrowroot to baking soda because I was worried about a sensitivity, and I added a few drops of tea tree oil, which I’ve used before mixed with rubbing alcohol for a deodorant.
It won’t stop me from using it as long as it doesn’t start bothering me, I just wondered if this happened to anyone else.
Are you pregnant?
definitely not
I have had the same problem Jenn, My best guess is that the baking soda is drying out the skin. I go through cycles (I’ve been using it since May) and after a while the darker skin will start to flake off. It has helped me to make sure to exfoliate daily and before applying the deodorant I use a little jojoba oil. I also added chamomile oil to the mixture. It has helped a lot. My left pit is still darker than the other but it has toned it down a lot. Hope that helps!:)
So I finally tried it… and it works. Wow! I was amazed. I used just a little less baking soda and a little more arrowroot powder cause I didn’t have enough baking soda. I don’t know if my husband will try it or not but my sister-in-law and I split the batch and she really likes it too. I can definitely say it works better than the Secret I grabbed when my natural deodorant ran out last week. I won’t be going back to the natural stuff either. It is so cheap and easy to make. I added lime essential oil to mine.
Can you put the ingredients for this recipe in a blender? on like pulse?
You are welcome to give it a try.
I made this using 1:4 cornstarch/baking soda, and aloe butter with a bit of coconut oil. I added a few drops of tea tree oil as an antibacterial. let me tell you, i have never tried such an effective deodorant before! I am a chef. In my work, i don’t perspire, I SWEAT! And, I smell. After 2 days of using this, During the heat of the hottest August we’ve had in years, I can sense absolutely NO odor at all, even at the end of a hard, sweaty day. Boy oh boy, the “personal hygiene” companies have had us all bamboozled! I’m going to give everyone in my family a jar of this for Christmas!
Janet, Can you give me the recipe for your deodorant? I am going to try a couple of them and yours sounds like a great option.
Thank you!
Hi I use a powder deodorant recipe that calls for 1 part baking soda with 6 parts corn starch. It works really well but I was wanting to try a recipe that calls for coconut oil just so there would be some moisturizing as well. I guess my question is should I just add coconut oil to my powder recipe and keep the 1:6 ratio? I just dont know why this recipe calls for equal parts baking soda to corn starch. Seems like it would be irritating. Or maybe the coconut oil cancels it out?? Sorry so confused.
I would just add coconut oil (solid state) to your 1:6 mixture until you get the right consistency. I’d try it out first with a very small amount to see if it suits you (eg 1 tsp soda, 6 tsp cornstarch, enough oil to mix). I’ve wasted a lot of product in the past by making the full recipe and finding it wasn’t suitable, so ditching the lot!
I’m gonna try your 1:6 ratio, as I’ve already cut it down to 1:2. but I do still get some irritation. Even so, Lindsay’s recipe does work brilliantly – this is the best deodorant I’ve ever used, more effective by far than the commercial ‘safe’ ones!
i tried this deodorant recipe and it worked very well since i hav tried even the clinical strength ones from the stores and with no results i tried this homemade one instead. works great but may have to substitute something or get a new recipe because after a couple days use i got a rash.
how can something that works so well not agree with my skin
Vivi,
I’ve found that coconut oil actually dries my skin out some so perhaps that’s the reason? It could also be cornstarch if you used that.
I’ve been told that using a lemon slice daily when you get out of the shower helps immensely. You just use a slice, rub it over your armpit and allow it dry. I’ve had friends say that they used a fresh lemon slice daily and it helped w/ the body odor. Once the bacteria in your armpits is more regulated I guess you can go down to using it only every other day or even once weekly. Hope this helps.
I’m looking forward to trying these great suggestions. I am a young breast cancer survivor and have eliminated as many xeno-estrogens as possible (the stuff in soaps, chemicals, etc.) These act as estrogens in the body, and since my tumor was estrogen positive, it is a concern. Just an FYI for other breast cancer survivors; lavender and tea tree oil are both phytoestrogens and have demonstrated the ability in young boys to grow breasts when they used products containing these two substances. Once they were removed, the boys were normal again. I would caution anyone who had estrogen positive tumors to avoid using lavender and tea tree oil especially under the arms near the breasts.
The beeswax addition works really well for me as the temperatures here are already 109 in May and it tends to melt on me just sitting in the bathroom!!! Thanks!
I tried this recipe. My husband & I both have used it for 3-4 months now. It works great, and we both love it. Thanks for sharing it!!
can i substitute coconut oil for something else? anyone have any ideas??
I have no idea how this would work because I haven’t personally tried it, but, you could try either palm oil(also solid at room temp.) or even an organic vegan shortening? That might also have coconut oil in it though, so I’d check if it’s an allergy issue. Just an idea..:)
Maybe try cocoa butter or shea butter?
Hello! I just started reading this blog recently and took an interest in this post. I have been searching for homemade deodorant recipes for a while, and this is one of the ones I considered. I changed it a little bit, and I LOVE the result. I have used it for a few days and I have had zero sweat or odor issues (for the first time ever!) I wanted to share my alternative recipe with you guys:
1.5 tablespoons beeswax, 5 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon shea butter, 1 teaspoon mango butter (optional), 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup arrowroot powder. 20 drops of essential oils (I used a combination of tea tree, lavender, sweet orange, and ylang ylang).
I melted the wax and oils together first in a double boiler, then added everything else. I put some into an old deodorant container, and some into a jar. It hardened to a very nice consistency. The beeswax really helps to keep all of the ingredients together. And it smells amazing. I am never going back to traditional deodorants. I hope this helps if anyone is looking for alternatives!
Cheers,
Vasilisa
How much does this make at a time?
Vasilisa, I tried your adapted recipe & like it…found it easier to make than the original recipe. It made about two-thirds of a cup which filled 1 & some of a 2nd empty Speedstick container (brand my hubby likes).
I put water in a saucepan. Once it boils then place a pyrex glass measuring cup in the water. First I put the beeswax in…measure out shea butter and add that to the melted wax and then next the coconut oil. I start with the ingredient that takes the longest to melt. Once melted I added the other ingredients & then poured it carefully into my containers.
It hasn’t hardened as much as I’d like…it maybe too warm in my house. I may place it in the fridge to get it more solid. I probably won’t have any problem with it once we get into our cold winter months.
I double checked the recipe & see it is a total of 20 drops (combination) of essential oils, I added 20 drops each of lavender, tea tree & orange….LOL.
I have used the soap Dr.Bonner’s Magic Soap -Pure Castille soap, the huge peppermint kind, as a deodorant and that has worked for me.
You just apply the castille soap straight?
Hi. I’m also a lover of Jesus and wanted to share with your readers that Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and other store bought baking sodas also contain aluminum. It’s hard to buy anything “mainstream” that isn’t tainted with toxins. I buy my baking soda from VitaCost.com and you can also get it from Swanson’s health supplements. It’s called Bob’s Red Mill baking soda and is aluminum free. Using Arm & Hammer just puts the aluminum right back in that you are trying to avoid!
thanks Lynn D for sharing that info. I’m surprised Arm & Hammer doesn’t list that info. on their packing. How did you learn that? I’ll be checking into the Bob’s kind.
There are other brands of baking soda right next to Arm & Hammer that indicate on the label its aluminum free.
You have confused baking powder with bang soda. Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, no matter which brand you buy. It’s baking powder that has a combination of ingredients and sometimes contains aluminum (it will say on the container). Baking powder and baking soda are not interchangeable.
Actually, Bob’s Red Mill’s Aluminum-Free title is redundant. Taken from a Bob’s Q&A:
ØAluminum Free- most baking soda now days does not have aluminum. **we used to get asked this question a lot back when other co. had aluminum in theirs. So we added it to our labeling ** we may consider taking it off.
So, Bob’s Red Mill admits that the fact that their b.s. is aluminum free is not unique. I’ve also seen a FAQ sheet from Arm & Hammer stating that their b.s. does not contain aluminum. Just can’t find it at the mo.
amen !
I get so tired of reading about this..
I should start selling SUGAR FREE water..
just a gimic ..
Lynn, All baking soda is aluminum free. It’s baking powder that has aluminum in it. Apparently some baking soda companies have started labeling their products ‘aluminum free’ to take advantage of people who don’t want aluminum in their products, even though there never was aluminum in it in the first place. Amazing what companies will do to get your money!
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder has aluminum in some brands, but I don’t know how baking soda could…
Hello, I was wondering if this deodorant recipe works as an antiperspirant too. I have had a lot of trouble ‘keeping the sweat away’ and hoped maybe a homemade deodorant might have different results than the store bought kind.
Thanks!
I just wanted to say that after about a month of using this, I hardly sweat at all anymore, and I had hyperhydrosis prior to using this. I tried all kinds of things, but I always react to the zinc in deoderants and end up smelling like sweaty metal – yuck. The only thing I have noticed as it gets into summer months is that the oil will put a slight mark on my tank tops. For some reason, it doens’t show on my t shirts, but it looks a little odd on my tanks – like I’ve been sweating. I am going to play around with the amount of oil b/c that is what is showing up. That said, it doesn’t stain – washes right out. Love this stuff!
Hi there. Thanks for the great recipe! I just made it, but am wondering if you would recommend keeping it refrigerated? My jar of coconut oil recommends that you keep it refrigerated to maintain freshness, so should I do the same with the deodorant?
Thanks again!
Gracie
No, that is not necessary. Coconut oil has a stable shelf life of at least 6 months.
Do you think it would work just as well if I substituted extra cornstarch for the baking soda? I have painful reactions to sodium bicarbonate (and sodium carbonate but that’s another issue) and am hoping to find a solution to the deoderant issue. Currently I use Toms as a deoderant due to my issues with antiperspirant but it contains baking soda too. Hmmm if the coconut oil weren’t so expensive I’d just try it. Maybe in a smaller batch so less money is wasted if it doesn’t work… idk.
Hi Dawn – I have modified this recipe to:
3-4 Tbl coconut oil (solid state)
1 tbl baking soda
2 tbl arrowroot
5 drops each of peppermint and tea tree oil essential oils
While I don’t have an allergy to baking soda, I was getting a rash and a lot more ingrown hairs with equal quantities of baking soda and arrowroot. By adjusting the ratio to 1:2, the irritation has really decreased.
To try out a small amount, I’d suggest reducing the recipe into teaspoons instead of tablespoons (to make a smaller quantity) as a trial.
Best of luck!
Jane
I also broke out in a rash with homemade deodorant which contained cornstarch and baking soda but don’t know what caused it. I am going to try this recipe in hopes that it works. Thanks.
You should exercise caution when using peppermint oil on the skin – it can be a sensitizing agent. Just FYI.
This recipe looks interesting. I’m going to have to try it. Thanks!
Most of the versions of this recipe I see include a caveat that you can easily decrease the amount of soda – because using a 1 to 1 ratio with the cornstarch often gives people a reaction because it’s too much. It would fix the rash some posters mentioned, too.
I have only been using this mixture for 4 days, but already love it, and have *nearly* 2 people converted: my mother had me make a batch for her as soon as I told her about it, and she is loving it too! My spouse is sharing mine, although he is hesitant to wear it all day. He works in construction, and doesn’t want to be smelly on the job so he puts it on when he showers after work. When he’s done with his current stint of overtime, he’s agreed to give it a full chance one weekend.
I started searching for a homemade recipe because I always find that I become immune to my deodorant after a few months of use, and have run out of safe ones to buy that don’t contain aluminum or any of the harmful chemicals I have begun to try to avoid. I seem to have a lot of sensitivities and several of the “natural” ones I tried either didn’t work, or caused unpleasant rashes that burned and took a long time to heal.
So — I didn’t get the virgin coconut oil mainly because I “Cheaped out.” What I have is refined, and I think it STILL works great. I chose the less expensive option for two reasons. The first is obvious: $$ The second: I HATE the smell and taste of coconut (it makes me gag) and suspect that I may have a mild intolerance when ingesting it. Since this recipe only requires an external use, and the refined oil doesn’t smell strong I decided to go that route and avoid too much wasted money if I reacted… but so far, so good. I am keeping a close eye on it though.
I put a few drops (4-5) of tea tree oil in mine for the anti-everything properties (antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral). I am not a fan of flowery scents so I skipped those suggestions. I found that the essential oil’s smell disappears after a few hours. Perhaps I should try more in my next batch to see if that helps. Regardless though – the recipe still works, even when the oil’s scent has faded.
Thank you for sharing – I followed a link to your blog from http://amomsblog.wordpress.com/?s=deodorant and like your blog so much I added it to my Firefox “Morning Coffee” extension, which means this site will open automatically as a homepage several times a week
I put everything in a food processor and it blended perfectly.
For over a year I have tried everything I could buy, natural or not, after suddenly finding nothing worked anymore. I figured it was a gut imbalance from the symptoms, but this recipe with a slight essential oil twist based on what I thought smelled good, don’t like many earthy or 60′s smells, turned out to work perfect for well past a day at a time. Just making my second batch tonight.
I have two questions:
1. Does this help block smell? (I sweat alot, eww)
And this leads up to my second question:
Does this help with sweat? Like I said, I sweat alot.
Thanks ahead for the reply!!
It blocks smell like you wouldn’t believe! No, it does not help with sweat, in my experience, but I would say give it a try….the smell blocking is so fantastic.
…I just made my third batch yesterday. My wife and I have been using this recipe for over a year.
Can I just say that I LOVE this recipe??? I do
It works so well and I like that I can pronounce everything in it 
One thing…my oldest daughter and I are experiencing a rash and redness….after reading all the posts and making notes…I will refine the recipe to see what works best.
Thank you for posting this…it really is great to be able to get back to basics instead of what the marketing people would have us believe.
I just made the deodorant and I have an issue with the consistency as well. When I apply it, it’s extremely oily. Should I add more soda or starch?
When I made my first batch (in the summer months) I thought something was wrong, too. I pushed through, though, and months later it looked like “normal” deodorant. Then I discovered that when the room temperature is over, say 78 degrees F, the coconut oil begins to melt, and that is why it seemed oily in the summer.
In the end, it works just the same, so I just got over it. I could have put it in the fridge during the summer, but that is kind of a pain.
General tip (very important when “oily”): a small amount goes a long way. You don’t need much to be effective.
Hope that helps.
(From David – who has been using this deodorant for over 18 months and loving it.)
David, do you and your wife not have any problems with the homemade deoderant showing on your clothes??
I add more cornstarch, I like it to be solid.
ps: the melt point for coconut oil is 76 degrees F. It pays to be a soaper sometimes….
I really like the idea of this recipe, except I have trouble with the consistency…in the summer this just melts everywhere and I hate to have to keep it in the fridge- not convienient because I’m already dressed by the time I go downstairs and then it gets all over my clothes. Any suggestions on getting a firmer, non-melting version? Like replacing some of the coconut oil with something else?
I add some candelilla wax, but I have heard of others using beeswax. You could also use carnauba wax. with all of these, just a little goes a long way for hardness.
I am sorry for the confusion so let me restate the question. Can I add tea tree oil and/or lime juice to this formula. Which you think have better antiseptic properties. Can you redo the ingredients?based on your recommendation?
I would not add lime juice. First, it contains water, which would allow bacteria, mold etc. to grow in the deodorant, which could make it unuseable. Also, it could just decompose/rot, and then it would smell bad! If you want the lime smell, try lime essential oil. Tea tree essential oil would be useable IMHO, it is said to have antifungal and antibacterial properties, and does not contain water, and I have actually used it in this recipe myself.
could you alter the amount of ingredients so that i could include the lime juice
and tea tree oil
can i add lime juice to this formula? i am currently using lime juice with the natural mineral salts stone and its been good
I read about baby oil and I’ll better try to get vegetables oil.
I read is not too good for the skin, I haven’t had problems so far but I will try to do the recipe as you recomend with the coconut oil.
Greetings.
Hi everyone.
I have been trying this recipe for the last few days and I can say it really worked.
But when I was tryin to get the ingredients I had problems to get coconut oil, and this is surely the main ingredient on the recipe… anyway after searching for coconut oil, in some markets told me that I could find it in naturists shops but I deceded to change the rules a little bit and instead of coconut oil I tried baby oil, and it worked too, it has a really good smell and don’t let bacterias grow inside the brew (’till so far). Any advice to this change of ingredient, necessary has to be used coconut oil? or never mind?
Thank you.
I found coconut oil near the vegetable oil in the grocery store, try looking there.
The tea tree oil is antifungal and should prevent any fungal growth under the arms.
Would Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil work alright? Or do I need to use my better type of coconut oil, smells & tastes like coconut, virgin coconut oil from Tropical Traditions or Nutivia brand?
no, you can certainly used the expeller pressed coconut oil. i just use the unrefined because thats all i buy for cooking and body use.
I’m looking forward to trying some home made deodorant, but I’m wondering about the use of cornstarch as I have occasional bouts of chafing due to candida and cornstarch is not a good idea. What about old-fashioned talcum?
Also, about the beeswax– wouldn’t that tend to clog the pores like commercial antiperspirants do?
I use arrowroot powder and not cornstarch, but you could try talcum powder. I don’t believe beeswax would clog the pores.
Just a note about talcum powder, it is a carcinogen so I would not recommend using it.
I’m glad I found this recipe! I really want to get away from aluminum based deodorants, and while I’ve tried a few “natural” kinds, they’ve never been that great. So, I’m going to go get the ingredients and try and make this one today.
But I am curious – being as there is coconut oil in there, is there the chance that it will leave tough to remove stains on my clothing?
I’ve been using this deodorant for well over 9 months now and I have never seen a stain on my clothes. I wear mostly cotton shirts, but so far so good.
Well that’s great to hear, along with all the raving reviews this recipe has had.
Thanks for the quick reply David!
Similar to you, I have used it over a year and have not had stains on cotton clothes. I had one shirt – a wrinkle free collared shirt – that got oil stains under the arms. I was able to get the stains out by pre-treating with liquid dish detergent before washing.
hello, im from malaysia and i found it to be a great invention. i mean, no harmful chemicals are used. currently im doing a research and intend to produce an organic deodorant. i have found out a few info about the ingredients that are used. but im still wondering… how do you come out with this idea..? i mean the selection of the ingredients.(coconut oil, baking powder, essential oil) are good ingredients to be made as deodorants? can you give me the significance of them…
thanks a lot. i hope that you can reply ASAP and helps me to solve my confusion.
the baking soda keeps helps keep bacteria away, which helps you not smell, the arrowroot/corn starch keeps you dry, and the coconut oil blends itall together for good consistancy and has natural antibacterial properties. hopes this helps
I love this stuff!!! I still sweat, but it doesn’t smell at all, even in the heat of the summer. The only complaint I have is the rash I sometimes get. I will try reducing the baking soda and increasing the arrowroot and see if that helps. But even so, I’d much rather have the rash than to have the smell or to use commercial deodorants.
I really wanted to like this deodorant. I whipped up a batch, and I couldn’t bear to put it on my skin because it smelled so foul. I wonder if the coconut oil had gone bad – it was partially runny and partially chunky. I’ve never used or seen coconut oil before, so I don’t know what it’s supposed to look or smell like.
Keri, it smells like coconut, makes you want to eat it. Did you smell it before hand? Did you heat it up like it was suggested, it’s suppose to melt completely then add the ingredients and stir to mix in well, then let it sit or place it in the fridge as it will harden slightly.
Petra, No, I never suggested heating it up. Mixing it in its solid state will require less powder to be added. And it does not have to be refrigerated unless you are in a really hot climate. It will stay solid for application. Keri, It should smell very pleasant not foul. It is rare for coconut oil to go bad, as it lasts for a whole year, but that may be the issue if it was that disgusting to you. Or maybe you don’t like the smell of coconut. In that case, you might add several drops of an essential oil to give it a fragrance of your choice.
try cocoa butter, it’s firmer…instead of coconut oil
Hi Jude thank you for your suggestion. Baking soda on me has always been irritating, and I do believe it’s bit more harsh than arrowroot being that it’s sodium bicarbonate.Arrowroot on the other hand is a starch. Baking soda on me produced a rash and little cysts under my arm for which why i have opted for the arrowroot instead. Although still a little irritating maybe trying the baby powder can stop the need to have to scratch under my arms. Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.
Great post with many interesting suggestions! Can’t say I agree with everything you have said here, but there are several relevant suggestions you have highlighted that can be quite usable on natural health and associated topics. Keep providing more suggestions on this topic and associated matters, as there are quite a few folks who are trying to get to know the pluses and minuses.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS! I too had irritation from my homemade deodorant ( a recipe like this one, but with a little less coconut oil). Anyhow, I thought it was due to the tea tree oil I added. I used more than the 10 drops suggested because the publisher of the recipe said she adds about 20 drops due to her love of the scent. I thougtht I should be fine adding the same amount. I know that Essential Oils can be strong and irritating as well. After reading your comment I now believe the baking soda may have played a part. I just made another batch with not quite so much Essential Oil and another batch leaving it out completely, so I guess I’ll see if baking soda or the oil is the cause behind my irritation.
I have had the same problem with recurring irritation, perhaps even cysts, that others have described. Let me tell you the solution I have found. First, I tried all the suggestions of organic baking soda, arrowroot powder, and various ratios. I even tried adding aloe vera gel, but I would still get the irritation. Finally, here is what I have been doing that prevents irritation. It does not work quite as well as the original, but it is good enough. I’m happy not to be using aluminum anymore!
I buy the pure cornstarch baby powder with added vitamin e, and I mix that with coconut oil to make a thick paste. I apply that paste in the morning, then dust my underarms with a bit more of the cornstarch baby powder to make it very dry. This works fine, and when I have a special event, I use the real stuff with baking soda.
Best wishes to you all, and thanks for the comments!
Wow! thanks, I want to try this. I have been spraying a mixture of vinegar & water on underarms & down below, it does keep odour away pretty well but not moisture and …it stings! As this contains baking soda, guess I can’t use this & my old method at once!
I made a batch earlier this summer and let me tell you – this is the BEST deodorant I have ever used. Thanks!!
Just made this on Saturday and I LOVE it already
Thanks!!!
Hello,
I am wondering, would this natural deodorant darkens the skin. I am an Indian and I can get pigmentation very easily under the arm area. Thanks ^_^
I have not noticed any darkening of the skin from this deodorant.
That could be a fungal infection. My boyfriend had that and put athlete’s foot spray under his arms (anti fungal). It went away in a couple of weeks.
Thanks so much for posting this, it’s the best recipe I’ve found and works perfectly for me. I share it with all my friends (who probably think I’m politely telling them about their body odor!).
Hi there. I think the idea is really good. In fact, I tried rubbing baking soda (just baking soda alone – sodium bicarbonate) under my arms and it works just fine, goes for about a couple of days without odour.
I do have a small doubt though. I know these ingredients are natural, however, I would like to ask if anyone here knows how they work? That is, does it work as a deodorant or an anti-perspirant. Apparently there is a big difference, as a deodorant only masks or neutralises any odours, however an anti-perspirant blocks the pores of the skin preventing sweat from coming out. Generally, anything that acts as an anti-perspirant is considered bad/unhealthy.
It’s better to go without deodorant of any kind to allow the body to release toxins. A diet of alkaline foods with 80% being raw and drinking 9.5 alkaline water will keep the body from having an odor altogether. If you can’t abide by this then go without until you have to go somewhere or until you have company. Baking soda is not an anti-perspirant. If you want to know more about pure alkaline water shoot me an email. [email protected]
This deodorant is a deodorant due to its making the atmosphere in the armpit not habitable to bacteria- my opinion. It doesn’t work as an anti perspirant- commercial antiperspirants work by swelling up the pores to the point that they do not sweat- and that IS unhealthy. I still sweat but it doesn’t stink. Sweat doesn’t stink, the bacteria that grow in warmth and moisture stink. The baking soda makes the area alkaline, bacteria prefer acidic environments to grow. You still sweat, but the cornstarch keeps you feeling dry.
It would just act as deodorant not an anti-perspirant. The body needs to sweat and if you shut that down you are shutting down the bodies ability of getting rid of waist and toxcicity from the body. Aluminum is very harmful as well. Two reasons we should not use anti-perspirant. If this formula works well that is great. I love finding a natural solution that works well. It is so empowering to know you can make a difference for you body!
When my grandmother was a nurse in the 40′s they would make deodorant for their poor patients who smelled just as a paste of baking soda + water. I would think that this is the main active ingredient in this deordorant.
Does the coconut oil have any effect on odor / bacteria, or is it more as an emollient / base?
It is anti-bacterial and will fight odors!
Anthony, I believe the coconut oil kills bacteria and thus eliminates odor, and baking soda does about the same, we use it in the frig for odors, right? And the cornstarch absorbs moisture, so it would keep us from having the wet spots. I still feel the wetness in times of extreme heat and/or stress, but at least I don’t smell!
Hello. I was wondering if this would work for me. I often get clogged glands in the under arm area, which are very painful. and store bought deodorants male this worse. Also I tend to sweat a lot, and nothing I have tried keeps me dry anyway. This is extremely frustrating, does anyone have any advice for me? PLEASE and Thank You : )
Savannah
I cannot say whether or not this would work for you, but it is important for your body to sweat. This deodorant will only slightly cut back on that, but it will not stick. Give it a try!
Hi, I think you can check on Chico’s blog about this. He actually did this at home and then put it to the test. He will give another update in a few weeks or so of use. Here’s his link.
http://chicogarcia.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/homemade-deodorant-the-update/
Hey there,
I started using this recipe and was so impressed with how it worked – until I developed really painful sebaceous cysts in one armpit and had to go two courses of antibiotics to clear it up. I am presuming that the bicarb was the cause as I’ve heard of a few cases of people finding it a bit irritating. I’m wondering if anyone has played with the ratio and if it still works.
Are you using store bought deodorant or antiperspirant? The antiperspirant will block your underarm pores, and it hurts! Use this recipe and add which hazel for as a natural astringent/ antiperspirant. Fairly sure that will help!
Re: all the substitutions for coconut oil. I rarely buy it because in Alaska it’s only 60F most of the summer, so it remains very solid. But I’m wondering whether the other oils folks have used have worked as well, because I assumed much of the effectiveness stems from coconut oil’s antibacterial properties…? Though shea may have the same, I don’t know about jojoba?
Anyhow, I DO have coconut cream on hand (a wonderful deep conditioner/styler for my curly dry hair). I wonder how it would work; it’s a much lighter, fluffier texture than the oil.
Alicia: No other oil has the anti viral/bacterial/fungal/parasite qualities that Coconut oil has. Just heat it up and mix the ingredients and let it get solid again and you have a deodorant stick that won’t get mushy, unless the temp gets up around 85 degrees. Did you ever try using a trace of coconut oil in your hair? Works good too. Great on ingrown toenails, it keeps the tissue soft and pliable till the nail grows out and fights infections also. Read the book on the healing attributes of Coconut oil by a Dr. Fife.
Wow! This works great (even after a long car ride in summer heat without air conditioning)! I am recommending this recipe to my family and friends. I whipped up a batch after coming across this page a few days ago. My two year old daughter was watching me and sneaked a lick with her finger when I turned my head. Probably didn’t taste very good, but all the ingredients are totally safe!! Gotta love it!
i am so excited! i am going to finally make your deodorant today! can’t wait to try it.
Will this deodorant leave a white mess on black shirts. In my husbands business, he has to wear black tee shirts and gets sweaty everyday in them (Muay Thai Teacher) everyday. I tried a similar homemade deodorant using baking soda and corn starch and people were asking him, what that white stuff was on his shirt. Thanks for any help
Yoli
As long as he doesn’t put on too much (hardly any is needed to be effective), he should be fine. I’ve be using it and wearing black camisoles without an visible whiteness on my camisoles.
Everyone says their coconut oil smells good, but mine doesn’t have a smell…?
If your coconut oil does not smell like coconut then it is refined. You want unrefined!
Does it still work?
Yes, I’ve used both refined and unrefined. I couldn’t tell a difference in the two.
I use pure soda. Just dip a moist finger in it and apply to your underarms, as simple as that. And you can forget about any BO for the next 30 or so hours (even after swimming!)
Where can I purchase the essential oils and beeswax? I want to try this!
I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs.
I seem to be allergic to coconut oil in the homemade deoderant – is there something I can use in its place.
You could try palm oil or almond oil.
My sister told me just recently that she has been using apple cider vinegar. You just put a little on a cotton ball, and dab your armpits with it. I tried it a few times this past week, and it really does work.
Hi Joie,
I have made this deodorant, but I use shea butter in place of coconut oil. Just stick it in the microwave to melt it and add the baking soda and corn starch. it will solidify as it cools. It works great and I like the smell of shea.
Lindsay,
I am open to many things, and your recipe is one of them. I am so glad I found it, because my arm pits have been a mess (irritation after shaving, odor before bed, etc.). I cannot wait to try your concoction. However, I do not have any coconut oil at home. I do have walnut oil. Could I use the walnut oil in replace of the coconut oil?
The reason for the need for coconut oil is that is tends to be solid at room temperature, or close to it, and virgin coconut oil smells so nice. Walnut oil is liquid and wouldn’t work well. You could use it, but it wouldn’t smell as nice and your mixture would be more liquidy.
Quit shaving! I quit several years ago and I LOVE the fact my armpits never hurt anymore!
If you don’t want to quit shaving (I don’t want hairy armpits myself), instead, just change how you shave. Don’t shave so hard. I used to feel my armpits after I shaved to feel if they were smooth enough, and they weren’t ever smooth enough (because armpit skin just isn’t smooth) so I’d keep shaving over and over in all directions to try to get them to feel smooth and then they were obviously ‘razor burned’. Finally I could not bear to shave because it hurt too bad. I let it heal, and my armpit hair grew a bit during that time. But then when the skin was healed, I decided to only shave gently up once and once down. It trimmed all the hair, but didn’t shave off any delicate skin, I’ve done this for years now. Another thing I have since noticed helps me is not using any soap or shaving foam. Water only. I can’t expalin just why but it really helps. Those products seems to irritate my skin and throw something off balance. I just have been patting baking soda in my armpits to prevent odor, and it really works! But if someone has razor burn then the baking soda alone or as part of this deoderant recipe will likely irritate their skin.
I have tried other homemade deodorants before and they stained my clothes. Will this one?
Melissa, do you mean stain as in a grease stain or white powdery stuff left on you clothes? I had the white powdery stuff left on black t-shirts
Hi, I love this deodorant. My family motto is now going to be ‘We Stink NO More’! I made my husband smell me after my last two Zumba classes because I was so excited. My mother-in-law wants me to give this out as Christmas presents. I am not sure what kind of message that would be sending, though.
I did change the recipe to the 2/3 cornstarch to 1/3 baking soda. I am experimenting with the beeswax to see how much it needs for hardening. My husband has to leave this in his gym bag in the truck (90+ degree weather), so we needed it to solidify. So far, I am at a 1″x1″x.75″ cube and it seems to be working. I had to melt it all down in a pot to blend in the beeswax, and this allowed me to get a better consistency and no clumping.
I love this site!
Amanda: have you figured out how much beeswax works to keep it hard? Also, does it change the feeling of it at all?
I am excited that I found a website that focuses on the natural. I will go to the store and purchase these ingredients. It is true that even store bought natural deodorants eventually stop working.
I have a pretty heavy sweating issue, even in the winter i get huge sweat spots. My natural pharmacist suggested sage deodorant. Apparently sage is a natural PH balancer. But the sage deodorant they gave me doesn’t really work. Does anyone know if i can add sage to this recipe? or without it will it help my imbalance? Thanks for the recipe, I am so excited to find out more, and to try it myself.
Sage reduces sweat production by up to 50%. You should be able to add a sage essential oil (or any other essential oil) to this recipe without any problems. Make sure you use a therapeutic grade essential oil to ensure it doesn’t contain any harmful by-products of the extraction process. An added benefit of using essential oils in this recipe is that most of them are anti-bacterial, and bacteria is what adds to the stank!
I would purchase Sage essesial oil (Mountain Rose herbs) start by adding just 4 drops and if you feel you need more, adjust it a few drops at a time with each batch. Be careful as Essential oils can also irritate.
In response to the first comment – almond oil or shea butter are both good replacements if you have a coconut allergy. The trick would be to add more cornstarch to make it thicker.
I will try this recipe although I’ve perfect my own concoction using neem, tea tree, and baking soda. It even works for my hubby! I have step by step instruction on my blog. The baking soda and oils are natural antibacterials – which helps to stop the smell while the soda absorbs moisture.
Keep the DIY recipes coming – we all need to know how to get back to the basics!
I’m looking at trying something similar to this but I have a coconut allergy which makes the coconut oil a hard one. Does anyone know of a replacement I could use?
you just need a fat that’s solid @ room temperature, I imagine coco butter would be similar in function
I have been using this deodorant for three weeks now and will never go back to commerical ones again. I even have my family, co-workers and 10 year old daughter using it, and all with successful results. I’m so glad to have found your site!
I am making the deodorant right now. I’m excited to start trying it as I’ve been looking for something natural that actually works.
One question…What do you do about the coconut oil melting when it gets warm? We don’t run our air conditioning every day in the summer, and our upstairs can get pretty warm.
Thanks. I just found your site and it look wonderful! Thanks for ministering to others in this way!
Julie Robbins
In this case, you have to store it in the fridge between uses or add beeswax to help maintain the texture.
Lindsay,
I’ve been using this deodorant (with small alterations) for a few months now, and I LOVE it!!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. When I mix mine, I use about 2/3 cup arrowroot powder, 1/3 cup baking soda and several TBS coconut oil (til it’s the consistency I like). I’ve not had any problems with rashes since I’ve changed to this formulation. LOVE IT!!!
Heather, thanks for sharing your recipe. I thought it was only me that was getting a bad rash under my arms, but I see that you’ve got one too. I’ll be adjusting mine. Thanks for sharing.
I was wondering if you needed to “melt” the coconut first, or use it straight from the jar?
Hi, Lindsay. I wanted to send a quick note about your deodorant. I used your recipe at first but, after a few days I got an itchy rash. I was upset because I LOVE this recipe and it works better than anything I’ve ever tried (homemade or store bought) So, I made some adjustments that have really helped and wanted to share them with you.
3 Tbsp of baking soda (because 1/4 c was just too much for me)
4 Tbsp of coconut oil
4 Tbsp of arrow root powder
1/4 c of cocoa butter (mine happens to have jojoba oil in it. I don’t know if that makes a difference)
2 vitamin E tablets (poke a hole and squeeze vit E out into mixture)
10-15 drops of essential oil(s) of your choice (or to your desired scent)
Mix all together and put in a container. Apply with fingers. I had to melt the cocoa butter to get it to a mixable state, but other than that, I just added all of the ingredients together.
This recipe works great for me. I do still have red under my arms, but it doesn’t itch or burn. One thing I try to do to lessen the redness and keep rash at bay is to wash my underarms every night and apply some coconut oil. That seems to help a lot. And, I’ll occasionally apply some coconut oil before I put my deodorant on. That seems to help to.
I’ve been using this for two weeks and have not had any problems. It keeps odor away, which can sometimes be a challenge for me.
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Blessings,
Heather
Wow. All I can say is WOW. I got my entire family converted, Mom, Dad, myself, my hubby and my brother. We all love it and are absolutely amazed to find something so simple that works so great. It is really amazing. How in the world could I have spent so much buying organic deodorants which never worked when all along this cheap home remedy out did even the “poisonous” main stream brands! I read in a book that coconut oil is anti-microbial, maybe that is why the recipe works so great. = )
Hello,
I am very excited about finding your site as I too am ready to get rid of the chemicals in my life and go with a more natural lifestyle.
I did want to say that the link in your post is not working. Here is a new one if you would like to update the post: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/search/search….
Also, the coconut oil that you use is it the refined or unrefined?
@pril
Raleigh, North Cackalacka
We use unrefined. I updated the links above! Thanks!
Is arrowroot powder the same as arrowroot “starch” or arrowroot “flour”?
Hi, Lindsay. I tried your deodorant and loved it for a couple of days. But then I broke out in a rash. I tried decreasing the baking soda, but still got a rash. I see here that you talked about getting your baking soda through a natural food co-op and adding shea butter. Could you tell me more about the quantities you used and where you got your baking soda?
Thanks so much!!
Blessings,
Heather
This works GREAT! thanks a lot.
isn't it the aluminum in the deodorant that is bad for the body? i know aluminum is linked to Alzheimer's too.
I'm pretty sure I've figured out the clumpy, flaky problem. If you have chunks in your deodorant that don't spread well or seem to want to melt, they are crystals of coconut oil. Saturated fats like coconut oil and cocoa butter form crystals when they solidify. You can often see the crystals through the side of a clear jar of coconut oil. If you mix the baking powder/starch with solid coconut oil, the crystals get broken up into tiny pieces, and you get a smooth mixture, like the sugar crystals in fudge. If you melt the coconut oil, it forms something more like rock candy with larger crystals. These will melt eventually if you warm them in your hands but they are very annoying. To avoid them, either mix up your deodorant with solid coconut oil, or if you melt it, stir it frequently while it is cooling. Both of these strategies also leave you with a softer product, which is desirable if you are scooping it out of a jar. When I melted the coconut oil and let it cool in the jar, I had to pry it out with a fingernail. Adding more starch would also interfere with the crystal formation.
I love this deodorant, but I'm also in the crowd that gets an itchy rash. Lindsay, have you posted your revised version?
this deodorant is THE BEST! may i post it on my blog with a link to yours? (it's too good not to share!)
After reading your recipe I made some for my husband and I. I practically had to beg him to try it… but after he did, he loved it! We recently ran out and he had to go back to his normal antiperspirant, and he couldn't stand the way his body reacted to it. So I ran out and got more coconut oil so we are set for the next few months. Thank you so much!
I read this post a long time ago and figured it would not be *that* effective. Not that I thought you were being dishonest, I just assumed maybe you did not sweat much or always smelled like roses (which you might, I don't know!)
Anyway. I was wrong. This is the BEST deodorant i have EVER used. I love it! You're a genius. Im not sure how well it will travel during the summer..but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
I've made this twice now. The first with the original recipe the second with the modified (1/2 of the baking soda and shea butter). I'm still breaking out.
Maybe I should try it without the teatree oil, and see if that makes a difference. I really want to find something that doesn't make me break out because this works so well.
Thanks for this recipe. I had been using plain baking soda for years but occasionally got a rash. I just finished my first batch of this which lasted for months, so I came back to this page to look up the recipe (pretty easy to remember though!) I started to get a rash again but I think it may be because I was towards the bottom of the container and it seemed to be a bit grainier. I also recommend apple cider vinegar to help with this as someone recently mentioned.
the deodorant causing breast cancer has been proven to be a myth. Thanks for the recipe, though.
I made some the other day – great! I’d tried a similar blend a few months ago, which inc. a bit of neem oil, & I added a few drops of that. I keep a little container in my swim bag, & one in the bathroom. For folks who notice irritation from the baking soda, try rinsing with cider vinegar before bed – the acid can really soothe the skin, & balance the Ph, the soda is basic.
I keep some vinegar in my swim bag as well, & rinse my suit with some to cut the chlorine; as well as using some on my hair. So simple!
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! I am looking forward to trying it!
I live in Houston Texas and like to spend time outdoors. After trying many natural deodorants, this is the ONLY one that really works. It is impressive that this simple recipe is so effective. Thank you Lindsay!
It’s only march, and my deodorant is practically liquid at room temperature already. And I found if I put it in the refrigerator it’s completely solid. Any suggestions?
Try pulling it out of the fridge 15-30 min before applying.
Thanks for the recipe! I made it today and put all the ingredients in my mini food processor and it worked very well, it made a nice smooth paste. I wish i would have read the comments about the baking soda though, because i’ve used baking soda alone in the past and got a rash after a while. i guess i’ll use it and see.
Thanks for a great deodorant recipe . i will make it today and then again comment . Thanks
thanks for sharing this recipe! do you have any for homemade shampoo?
Yes! Here is my homemade shampoo recipe.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing.
Is there any difference between coconut oil that you buy for skin/hair and what you buy for cooking? I have part of a bottle of Fiji Organic Coconut Oil, but I’m not sure if it’s enough to make this. Would I be able to use my virgin coconut cooking oil for the rest?
There is only a difference in nutritional content. You can definitely use them interchangeably, although the skin type (aka expeller pressed is not ideal for eating). I honestly use just virgin cold-pressed coconut oil (preferable for cooking because of higher nutrient content) for everything.
I’ve heard some people say that they weren’t having good results with similar deodorant recipes, but had better results when they switched over to virgin (or extra virgin) coconut oil. So you might actually have better results but of course different bodies respond to different things. As Lindsay said, there will be slightly different compositions due to the different refining processes. Really though it makes sense for things with slightly different compositions to react slightly differently to your skin as well as the bacteria on your skin.
It’s definitely okay to use, but you may find it works slightly differently.
What a nice website. I linked to here from a post on goneraw.com about natural deodorant. I am going to try it! Thank you.
I was browsing through your website and found the whole food cookbooks. I’m going to have to check those out too. I have a lot of raw food uncookbooks, but the only real food cookbook I have is by Jurea L. Dawson – (More) Real Food Recipes. It’s great! It think the recipes are also “properly” food combined. I love the sister, sister couscous loaf.
I’ll be browsing through your website…
Great posting, thanks a lot!
Has anyone tried olive oil…maybe dont smell too nice , but its easier to keep on hand?!
It would not be as effective and does not solidify so more difficult to apply.
..Thank you so much with your help, i had found my product for my investigatory t that project but what kind of coconut oil did you use, how come it looks like a lotion and not an oil,pls. clarify thnks!
Coconut oil is solid at room temperature (or temperatures above 76 degrees)…so that is why it is not liquid unless you melt it. I use virgin cold pressed organic coconut oil myself.
Hi!
While googling different deoderant recipes, I came across your You Tube instructions of making deoderant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar0BF6hMuGE&feature=related
Also found this one (not you though ; ) ):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_gMrVzxZ_4&feature=related
Is there a reason you don’t melt your coconut oil? Seems to me it would make for easier mixing?
Thanks!,
JenE
When you melt coconut oil, you will have too use a lot more cornstarch/arrowroot powder etc to get it thick enough. AS you can see, she used 1 cup of arrowroot to 1/4 cup coconut oil. With more thickener, you have less effective deodorant as well and can have more problems with the leftover film on your clothes, as she mentioned. More coconut oil in proportion to the other ingredients will keep your skin more moist as well. Also, I have found when you melt coconut oil and then allow it to solidify again it will be a harder substance to apply because you had to add more thickener in the first step. Does that make sense? Melting it definitely makes for easier mixing but will effect the texture in the long run. I don’t mind a little workout for the arm to get the perfect texture that most resembles deodorant from the store.
Great info!! Thank you very much : ).
Jen
Hi Lindsay – just interrupting this post! I made this recipe recently and used liquid CO (as it’s summer here in Australia and I hadn’t kept any in the fridge). I have found that the texture of the finished product is still quite gritty from the baking soda. Would it be due to using liquid CO and therefore not enough? I did notice I used way less than your recipe to get what looked like the right texture. However, it still works brilliantly, and I love your suggestion in your video of peppermint and tea tree oil – it smells so refreshing.
Thanks heaps, Jane
I’ve been using this for a while now, and the texture is not like sandpaper at all. I am wondering where that poster gets her CO from. Maybe it is the source, or maybe not enough CO in the recipe.
I LOVE the scent of Patchouli, and I add about 5-6 drops of it to mine, and it gives just a slight scent, and I love, love, love it.
I’ve been using this for over a month now and I love it! I added a few drops of lavender oil because it smells nice and is a bit antibacterial itself so I think it helps it to work better. I think next time I want to put it into a deodorant container so I can just swipe it on, but it really doesn’t bother me that much to just use my fingers, lol.
I’m trying to get away from as many chemicals as I can in my personal care, so far I’m poo-free (baking soda and vinegar on my hair for months now) and using only natural deodorant. I bathe with baking soda as well- so no body wash or soap (although I wouldn’t be adverse to some nice all natural soap!) the main thing I am having a hard time letting go of is make up. I like to wear a little bit every now and then and I think the worst thing is the stay-put type lipstick I prefer. I hate having lipstick that wears away and gets smeared all over anything. I need to find a nice natural stain that really sticks…
I too am going all natural with all personal items and household cleaners, etc. I am replacing what I have as they run out. I am very happy to try these recipes for deoderant. I have been using Dr. Bronners natural soap to replace my body soap and shampoo, to clean clothes and dishes, etc. I am interested in a makeup line called 100% Pure. They advertise all pure ingredients based on fruits and vegetables. I am not sure of the “staying power”, but I am interested in the thought of using fruits and veggies on my face! Any thoughts?
I just bought some cosmetics from 100% Pure, and I LOVE them! I bought the mascara (black), blush stick (grapefruit), and 2 lip glosses (cherry and strawberry). The blush is the best color I’ve ever found for my fair skin. The other colors were just gorgeous–so rich, yet so natural looking. I tried mineral makeup, but found that it often didn’t fit with my skin tone. So many are orange-y, which makes me look washed out. 100% Pure colors look great on me. I teach dance full-time, and for the most part the makeup stays. It’s not perfect, but neither was my toxin-laden Clinique makeup. I’d say they hold just about the same. I had a hard time getting the mascara off, but that’s also because I can’t seem to find a great alternative to my petroleum-based eye makeup remover. Honeybee Gardens makes a really nice mascara that washes off very easily–but you need a lot of coats to get the same effect as with the 100% Pure. I will definitely be buying more cosmetics from them!
Could you please share more info on how you use the baking soda and vinegar for shampoo? Do you mix it beforehand or apply them separately? Does it generate any lather?
I have been using baking soda as an exfoliant for my face and lips. I use mostly mineral makeup for a base and bronzer. I also switched to a natural mascara brand (Honey Bee Truly Natural) and it does not irritate my eyes like normal mascara.
I am using Lush soap as body soap. Their soap is very moisturizing and a little on the expensive side, but it’s better than the store stuff. I accidentally got it in my mouth and it didn’t taste..bad, it was actually kinda sweet. I guess that was due to the fruits in the soap. I am also using baking soda and vinegar instead of shampoo. What I do is mix the baking soda with enough water to make a paste and apply to the roots of my hair and massage. It will not create a lather, mb the 1st uses since it will get rid of ALL shampoo residue, but it does clean effectively. Your hair won’t get as oily and you can diminish the amount of times you have to wash your hair. As for the vinegar, I use apple cider vinegar diluted with regular water…to me it’s like a conditioner because it leaves your hair super soft and shiny…I need to go buy ACV and am just using the baking soda by itself. Next on my list is this homemade deodorant.
I went out and bought the ingredients today and made the deoderant this evening! I’m so excited about it! It smells heavenly and can’t wait to start using it each morning…thank you!!!
I am impressed with this blog, I must say. I will try this mixture and see what happens. I have just started using baking soda in my hair instead of shampoo and it is working great. I use regular vinigar for a rinse and it also works well. I now only wash my hair once a week instead of every day as before. I am in the process of getting rid of using chemicals as much as possible and cutting household costs. So for me this will be another great thing to try. Thank you so much for your info. I also agree with another commenter about you writing a book I think it would be a great idea.
Due to the consistency (I guess from the temperature in my apartment, it’s a play-doh-like) I’m having trouble applying this deodorant. I use my fingers because it’s too pliable to put in an old deodorant container. My problem is that when I apply it it’s very chunky and I can’t get it to smooth out under my arm (I stirred it well and the coconut oil I used was liquid, I made sure there were no clumps of the powder left in it). I’ve tried warming it to soften it and apply it as a paste too, and that didn’t help. Anyone else have this problem? Anyone have a solution?
I would recommend you put the mixture in the fridge between uses.
Thank you so much Lindsay! I’ve tried many natural deodorants on the market, and none have worked for me. This works wonderfully!!
I’m going to try this recipe as I also have nail fungi and the anti-bacterial quality of the cocoanut oil should help. I’ve been putting white vinegar in an empty roll top and it works fine. Smell goes after a couple of minutes and the vinegar acts as a barrier and stops bacteria which causes the odour.
Keep up the nice work! Look forward to reading more from you in the future. I think it will be also nice if you add “send to email” tool so people can forward the articles to their friends easily.
I tried this recipe because of my extremely sensitive skin. All other deodorants give me a terrible rash, even Tom’s of Maine. This recipe doesn’t bother my skin at all! I love it for that alone. I added a little lemon oil and lavendar oil for extra fragrance. It works great.
I made an all natural deodorant similar to this, I used a little shea butter for moisturizing (coconut oil can be drying), and a little candelilla wax to make it harder (you could also substitute carnauba wax or beeswax, but the beeswax would NOT be vegan.) I melt it in the microwave and pour into a used commercial deodorant tube, and it works FINE! I also added a bit of fragrance or essential oils to give it a slight scent, I have one called Milk & Honey, which to me smells more like a bath product than the real thing, but it was perfect for deodorant! I have used tea tree oil too for its antibacterial properties, which the coconut oil has also.
I also found that after a couple of months using this recipe, I lost my problem body odor that I could not get rid of, even with the expensive clinical deodorants! but I did have the stain problem, but I read in another site that colored clothes could be washed with ammonia and whites pretreat with hairspray, then wash with hot bleach water and soap!
As for the rashes, I read that baking soda can be an irritant, so maybe lower the amount of that and add more cornstarch, and waiting at least 1 hour after shaving before applying the deodorant might help.
I get my coconut oil from soaperschoice.com, best price I have found. (I also make my own soap!) Their extra virgin organic is $27.30/gallon plus shipping, which to NJ was $7.51. The organic (not extra virgin) is only $15.47/gallon, and if you don’t care about it being organic, its only $12.95/gallon!
As to the aluminum in baking soda, I researched, and the wikipedia and enotes articles do not mention aluminum at all! I searched for the word in both, and it was not found! The chemical makeup of baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is NaCO3. Na is sodium, C is carbon, O is oxygen (e molcules). Where is the aluminum?????
And, when you’re at it can you take a picture of the finished product? Thx.
I started using this about 6 weeks ago, it works great! I took it with me to Thanksgiving and let the women in my family try it. They all love it! My mom has been telling her friends about it.
One day, I forgot to put some on and was pretty stinky by 10:00. I just applied it when I was back home around 12, and the stink was gone for the rest of the day. It not only prevents stink, it deodorizes body odor. Very impressed!!
Can we add essential oil in to the mix too?
What about adding a few drops of essential oil if you want it to be more scented/provide some extra anti-bacterial benefits?? Has anyone tried this or would it work??
If you read through the comments you will find many people who have added various essential oils with great success.
Oh. Thanks!
I love coconut oil! My family thinks I use it on and for everything. I had not realized that anyone else was using it for deoderant but I had recently been using it. I love it! Something that I have noticed is since it soaks into your body the fungus on my toes is 99% healed since using it for deoderant! Awesome!
I love my natural deodorant! I used shea butter and cocoa butter instead of coconut(its what i had around.) Just a remind for those of us who shave. I started developing a rash as well and noticed if i waited an hour or two after shaving to apply my deodorant i stopped getting a rash. Hope this helps. Thank-you so much for the recipe!
I am SO excited! I have been searching for a natural aluminum-free deodorant (believe me, I’ve tried everything!) This is it! Granted, you might not want to put a black shirt on right after you apply, but it keeps the odor away. It IS a deodorant, not an antiperspirant, though. I find that I still sweat when I use it. Doesn’t me really bother me though. I’ve had to reapply after a long day’s work sometimes. It could be the oil that I used as well – I only had apricot kernel oil on hand, so I used that. It doesn’t have a scent, so I’m curious to try it with the coconut oil instead. Thank you for the great and inexpensive recipe!
I’m sure this posting will be nothing new (because so many rave about your recipe) but I wanted to add my two cents. I started using your deodorant recipe about three months ago. Before that, I struggled and spent money to find a deodorant without aluminum that worked and was beginning to think that it was impossible! Then I just randomly searched for recipes for deodorant online and your journal popped up. Needless to say, I’m now a believer that natural deodorant is the way to go! It works like a charm. I just wanted to say thank you so much for posting it!
Lindsay – What do you think about the Crystal Body Deodorant Stone? We have used it for about 15 years. I don’t think it has the harmful aluminum materials. Do you know?
I did find this page that offered the ingredients and it appears to be perfectly safe.
Thank you!
I made this on Monday and my husband and son are using it without any trouble but I have developed itchy armpits and noticed a rash last night. I’ve been ingesting the oil in smoothies and baked goods, even stirred into my coffee so I don’t think it’s an allergy to the oil. Any ideas?
Others have had similar experiences. Read through the comments above for suggestions. I have found cutting back on baking soda and adding shea butter is the best solution.
Andrea & Lindsay,
I used your deodorant for a couple of months and loved it! I made enough for my husband and I, however, he loves his crystal stick and didn’t want to switch. When I ran out I grabbed his unused jar. Unfortunately, I too broke out into a huge rash. I will try it with less baking soda and shea butter. I am so sad I developed this allergy because for a while I really loved it!
Its the baking soda for sure (used to use baking soda alone and would get a bad reaction to it). don’t think its an allergy–its just a reaction to the soda–definately try decreasing baking soda like others suggested.
I’ve been wearing this deodorant for 3 days now and it works so well! I even had a dream last night that I was smelling my underarms to make sure it is still working. Ha! Such an easy recipe and so frugal! I’m trying to convince my husband that it works so he will give it a try. The coconut smell wears off eventually so hopefully he won’t mind it. Thank you for sharing another great recipe!
I discovered this website while searching for homemade deoderant and absolutely love it! You should publish a christian book with all of this information in it!
I’m so glad I found this recipe and blog. I’ve been using the natural deodorant for a few weeks now and LOVE IT! I have no smell and my under arms are so smooth. I’ll never go back to any other deodorant.
Can’t believe how effective this simple recipe is. My husband and I have been looking for a good natural deodorant for awhile, but have been disappointed with their effectiveness and price. I made a batch of this up and BAM no more stink, for pennies! Thanks so much!
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
Just made this for the first time today. I put it on just before a 1-hour (very sweaty) aerobic workout. When I finished with the workout – I didn’t smell! This deodorant worked wonderfully for me! I am so excited to have found a natural alternative to the aluminum-laden products on the market. Hopefully, the baking soda will not be too harsh for my skin as some others have reported. Thank you for sharing this “recipe” Lindsay as well as to all of the other ladies who shared their experiences with it!
Back with an update. WOW! I’m getting a horrible rash. It’s definitely the baking soda. I think the biggest problem is the texture. It’s like really fine sandpaper under my arm. Here’s a suggestion for those of you also having this problem. I mixed 1part cornstarch and 1part baking soda with 2 parts water. Added the essential oils and some glycerin. Melted 1part soy wax (you can use beeswax) with 2 parts oil, Combine with a wisk. The essential oils help with the odorous bacteria, the glycerin conditions the skin, and the soy wax hardens the deodorant so it will work as a stick. If you try this and it’s too hard, use a double boiler to re-melt the deodorant and add a little extra oil until you get a better consistency. It’s not going to glide like traditional deodorant, but you can use your fingers to finish rubbing it in and it’s less messy. I haven’t had any problem with irritation with this recipe. Hope this helps someone.
oops! sorry those essential oils would be tea tree & lavender/or lemon oil. (not juice). i also added jasmine to make it smell nice. The tea tree doesn’t smell for long after putting it on, so go ahead and use a few drops, it’ll help with any irritations too because it’s an antiseptic.
Just wanted to say that you can use other oils than coconut. To replace the antimicrobial properties, use a few drops of tea tree oil or lemon oil. I buy my coconut oil at walmart, it’s beside the others, check your local store. You can also get all these products at a health food store. Also, since some are worried that the cornstarch could be the irritant, you could try using guar gum or xanthan gum for the thickener. If you do, make sure you use about 1/8 to 1/4 of the amount to start, because they are much more effective than cornstarch at thickening. You can find these at a health food store also. I’ve also heard of using aloe vera gel and glycerin in the mix to help with conditioning and protecting the skin. Hope this helps.
I’ve been using just baking soda for over a month now and it recently started irritating my skin. I’ve been reading online about possible solutions (without having to go back to commercial antiperspirants) and stumbled on your site, but I have a few questions. How strong is the smell of coconut in the deodorant (or how faint is the ‘very faint’ you mentioned)? I detest the scent, but since it seems like no other oil can replace all that coconut oil can offer, I want to know what I’ll be getting myself into. Also, from the Mountain Rose Herbs site, does it matter whether the coconut oil is refined or unrefined?
I honestly cannot smell any coconut at all, unless I guess you put your nose to it very closely and smell, and then it would be very faint. If you are just using it for body products, the refined is totally fine. Unrefined is best for cooking, so I just buy unrefined for all our needs as it has the most nutrients and benefits.
Does it also work as an antiperspirant?
It will not function completely as a regular antiperspirant like you would purchase at the store, but those are not natural at all, as it is a proper bodily function to sweat which cleans out toxins from the body. This deodorant will eliminate all smells and will cut down on the sweating quantities, but will not eliminate them altogether.
This looks great, I can’t wait to try it! Gonna get try making a batch tomorrow. I’m gonna add in a few drops of Thieves essential oil as well, to add a bit of fragrance (and it’s a great anti-bacterial).
Sorry about the previous comment. I read through all the posts and see my answer .. opps
I have another question but it isn’t on the deodorant. Its about the laundry soap. Can you use the Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild liquid instead of the shredded bar? thanks 
Niki
You can use the liquid version if you add it separately into the wash load rather than pre-mixing. For example, mix the borax and washing soda together and add about 1 Tbsp per load and a squirt of liquid soap. Make sure to put these into the washer at the beginning and allow them to dissolve a bit in the water before adding the clothing items.
I am wondering if the people that are getting rashes if it could be caused from the cornstarch. That cornstarch is hard to digest and its probably hard on the skin too. It’s worth trying and see if that helps, I have been using the arrowroot for this recipe w/ no rash problems for several weeks now.
Just thought I would add a little advice of my own. Rosemary Essential Oil is a MILD, NATURAL anti-perspirant and could be added to this recipe as well. I make a similar type deoderant and find that the rosemary doesn’t keep me completely dry, but helps out some. Definetely plan on trying this recipe myself! Love it! Thanks
I made this today it didnt rub off on my clothes and it does keep the stink away! Thanks for the great recipe!
Came across your site today and plan on making a batch this afternoon. After reading comments re: rashes, discoloration, etc. wonder if possible reaction due to detoxing from use of regular deoderants? Had same problem when switched from regular to popular “crystal” deoderant and then it went away. However, MD just told me the swelling that remained in armpits is due to deoderant use – checked bottle when got home and it contained ammonium alum – which turns out to be a “natural” aluminum salt. Will let you know results of use.
My boyfriend has made deoderant with a similar recipe, but instead of the Coconut Oil, he used Cocoa Butter. It works great for him, but caused redness and breakouts in my skin ( possibly due to the amount of baking soda ) – I’m definitely going to try this recipe and see if I have more success ! Thanks !
I am using this recipe but with less baking soda. Mine is probably a half cup melted coconut oil with 4-6 tbs total powder (I would say two corn starch and 4 or 5 baking soda). Mine has thickened into about the same consistency is plain coconut oil but I can dig a little bit out with my nails and rub that into my skin.
If you are having irritation try increasing the coconut oil, or decreasing the baking soda/cornstarch. People use just plain coconut oil.
i made this deodorant and have been using it for several weeks. i like that it is natural and it eliminates the smell. but i have developed an itchy rash and because of this my underarms have gotten darker and my skin has thickened. is there anything that i can change in the recipe to stop this?
Hmm…maybe you are bothered by the baking soda. Try decreasing the quantity of baking soda and increasing the powder or coconut oil. Make sure you are using quality brands (preferably organic coconut oil) as well…this can make a huge difference!
In my opinion regarding changing the oil instead, I don’t think the effect will be the same, no other could replace the coconut as an antibacterial agent.
Hi , yesterday i made the deodorant. The second day it was still rough maybe could be caused by the baking soda? Maybe mix it with the blender or something strong enough to make it soft? Or maybe this is the normal texture, but the smell is good because of the mixture.
Thank You!
hi everyone, right now i am doing the ingredients, i add a bit of lavander oil, camimile oil, rose oil, tea tree oil, the smell is great and more better, it kills a bit of coconut smels. but guys its rough thats the problem there.
thanks
This sounds fun! Do you think that olive oil would work? I have a ton of it right now and this would be a great thing to use it for…
See reply on comment 19 above for this discussion. Coconut oil is specifically used because of its anti-bacterial qualities and is effective in preventing sweating smells.
Thank you for the reply, its good to hear that u could aso mix with it tea tree oil as i like the smill, what about the arrowroot powder what is that exactly for? And i need to know how much drops of tea tree oil do i have to add.
thank you
The arrowroot powder is used as a more natural substitute for cornstarch as a thickener (you can use either one). The quantity of tea tree oil is up to you. I have not used it in mine, so I don’t have a specific recommendation. Start with 10-15 drops and go from there depending upon your smell preferences.
I made mine with more coconut oil and less baking soda/corn starch. I added one drop of rosemary essential oil and it is enough to smell it. I wish I hadn’t – turns out I don’t like the smell of coconut and rosemary
I’m going to try to find a fruitier essential oil and add that.
I remelted everything and added a few drops of rosewood essential oil and a drop or two of tea tree oil. I love the way it smells now!
hi, i did loved reading all the messages in here. am sure i wil make it for me and for my chidren, what about mixing with it a bit of tea tree oil. pls answer
Tea tree oil is very nice and thus would probably be a great addition.
This is wonderful! My husband and I both love it! Did you come up with the recipe?
Love this recipe! When I make it, it’s moist and very thick. (coconut oil is liquid at room temp here!) I pour it into my old deodorant stick container and by the next day, it’s solid. Then I just use it like the old stuff. It doesn’t hold together as good(ie. it flakes a bit), so I just try to rub it on gently.
On days when I’m really hot and sweaty, I may apply it more than once or I’ll get a bit stinky. But it’s worth it for being so cheap and aluminum-free!
I will definately be trying this for my husband & I, but really have not read anything about helping the profuse sweater. Any comments on this.
Would adding essential oil(s) alter the effects?
To the best of my knowledge, I do not believe this would have any effect.
I made mine with about six drops of rosewood essential oil, three drops of tea tree and a drop of rosemary. It smells very similar to the Toms of Maine flowery deodorant. Try just the rosewood if you only want to buy one oil, though the tea tree is nice and has so many other applications.
Can I use other kinds of oil such as olive, almond, or canola in place of coconut? Also, how long is the shelf life?
The other oils you referenced will not give you the same consistency as coconut oil (due to the fact that it is solid unless heated above 75 degrees). Coconut oil also has deodorizing properties, helping it to prevent the smell of sweating. Coconut oil can be stored at room temperature indefinitely, unlike other oils as well.
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?
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.
I made mine by completely melting the coconut oil. I used less baking soda/corn starch than this recipe but it mixed up nicely. I did have to stir the concoction as it melted – the oil floated to the top and the baking soda sunk to the bottom. I actually recommend more coconut oil. The oil melts and spreads nicely on your warm skin. You could even try straight coconut oil with no baking soda.
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.
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.
It’s the arrowroot that functions as a thickener. You wouldn’t want to increase baking soda too much, it’s a skin irritant.
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!
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.
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
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!
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,
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.
I saw another recipe for homemade deodarant using shea butter and baking soda. You could try that instead of, or mixed with the coconut oil.
What is arrowroot and where can you buy it?
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?!
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>
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.
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!
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!
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…
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.
Baking POWDER is what usually has aluminum. Baking soda is just sodium bicarbonate. No aluminum in this. So, no need to worry!
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!
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
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.
I have never had any problem with staining with the coconut oil, but I did have this problem with antiperspirants.
Thank you for sharing this. Will any coconut oil do or should it only be made with the high quality oil?
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.
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!
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe… my husband and I have tried several different natural deoderants without success. This one sounds great!
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.
I have never heard of doing this! I’m always looking for natural alternatives so I’m definitely trying this!
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.
Interesting, I’ll have to try this,
I just moisten my fingers and rub baking soda…no smell, it is so easy…
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!