Yep! Thanks to the suggestions of a few commenters on my vegan beauty and bodycare post, I decided to take the plunge into the world of homemade, natural deodorant. I was skeptical at first, because I’ve tried quite a few natural brands and have been disappointed each time… but this time, I was pleasantly surprised! I’m currently on my third (fourth?) day of using this oily, coconut goodness. Let’s look at some facts: it’s currently in the high 80s here in Florida, pushing 90 even… that’s hot. Let’s also consider the fact that I spend my mornings in a hot kitchen, my days in a hotbox that is the foodtruck, and my afternoons in the park, in the hot (not-so) setting sun. <— yeah, thats a lot of hot and sweat… so yes, I am most definitely surprised with my freshness.
you’ll need:
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup Arrowroot Powder, 1 lb. or Bob’s Red Mill makes some too.
6 tablespoons coconut oil
15 drops Eucalyptus Oil
how to:
Mix baking soda and arrowroot powder in a bowl. Add coconut and eucalyptus oil. Mix well. Scoop into jar. Keep in a cool-dry place or in fridge. The texture of the deodorant varies on the temperature of its environment. I go back and forth between keeping mine on my counter and in my fridge. My house is hot, really hot (I keep it in the 80’s), so the mixture tends to get a bit liquid-y, but it would work well for cooler homes. I’m tempted to freeze bars of the mixture into trays and keep them in a solid form in the fridge, I think that would (maybe hopefully) work best… next time I plan to try it that way! Happy hot days!
edited to add: a few of you have said it’s irritated your skin— it’s probably from the baking soda– I would recommend using a more soothing essential oil, or skipping it all together. You could also add a bit of vitamin e oil or aloe. Also, don’t use it on freshly shaved pits. I haven’t had a problem with it personally, but everyones skin is different!
And to those who asked, no it doesn’t stain clothes. But I do let it dry completely before putting on a shirt 🙂
42 Comments
So excited to make this. Thank you for sharing!
I've been using your recipe for about a year and I will probably never go back to the store-bought stuff. I started out storing it in a jar in my bathroom, but for the last batch I went to the health food store and bought an empty deodorant container. Now I store it in the fridge, which makes it even more soothing when I put it on. Thanks for sharing!!
I just found this blog and i'm to know a few things. Does it leave any oily stains on your clothes, are you still using it almost 2 yrs later and does the vitamin e help that other commenters were talking about?
still using it. no strain. and probably vitamin e is great for things like that!
I just found this post and i'm interested to know, does it stain your clothes or make them oily, are you still using it almost 2 yrs later and does the vitamin e help?
I just found this recipe and tried it out. It totally works, no problems here of any sort. Thanks for posting!
I always search for this post on your blog to remake it. Only one comment for folks – both me, my husband and the two friends who use it sometimes break out when using it – very occasionally. And it doesn't really itch, just irritates the skin. Little red bumps.
So – tonight, I'm adding some vitamin E oil (I snagged this idea from a guy at a farmer's market selling homemade deodorant – he had vitamin E.) I'm thinking because baking soda is an abrasive, maybe that's what's causing the irritation sometime. And it's so dang hot here in Memphis, that it seems to get irritated on a super-hot day.
Will let ya know. 🙂
Would you let me know how it works out for ya with the vitamin E, I do noticed that I break out, I have been using it for a month or so and it does get a little itchy by the end of the day and have some red bumps.
Otherwise, love the recipe and I will continue using it
ditto! it also irritates and i get red bumps. i'll try the vitamin E oil. thanks so much!
ditto! it also irritates my skin and I get red bumps, as does my husband. i'll try Vit E oil.
thank you!!!
I can't wait to try!! The only ingredient I don't have is the eucalyptus oil – don't have any essential oils in the house at the moment so it looks like a trip to whole foods is in order!! 😉 Thank you!! I've been looking for a good aluminum-free option that actually works!!
You absolutely don't need to use essential oils— it only really affects the smell! If you like unscented, make it now! 🙂
Okay, I though you should know: I'd been using this for months, and loving the heck out of it, when – BAM! – a few months in with a newborn, I ran out. I didn't think to make more when I was pregnant and had free hands! Now I'm scrambling to make more, but it's been a few days, and WHOA do I notice a difference. (Thank goodness the only people smelling me are my baby and my husband.) This stuff works, ladies!! Thank you, Drea!
P.S. I make mine with tea tree oil and lavender. My husband wants some now and I'm going to get sandalwood oil for his.
I found this recipe in the comments on another site last year and it works so well. The best deodorant I've ever used. I made mine with lemongrass oil.
Wondering…do you need to add the eucalyptus oil? Is that just for scent or function? (I have all the other ingredients in my home – would love to make asap.) Also, do you need to melt the coconut oil before mixing? Thanks!
no! just a scent! here in florida… coconut oil is ALWAYS melted… except for this chilly morning, but it'll be melted again in an hour or so 😉 so yes, if yours is hard, I recommend you get it to liquid for first… not hot, but room temp!
Curious, does it leave any residue on your clothes???
I made this and have been using it for more than two weeks now – zero residue. I think it's actually better than store-bought deodorant in that department.. and leaves no visible "staining" on my clothes that I can tell so far. It's GREAT!
I'm so glad I came across this! I've been trying aluminum free ones and they kind of suck. a lot.
When I make mine I put it in an old deodorant stick I emptied out. It's so much more convienant!
This seems perfect for Florida (I grew up there) because of the tank top factor, but I am curious about whether it will leave oil stains on my sleeved shirts up here in the not-so-hot New York?
I definitely want to try this! I live in Florida too, and as you know, we sweat our asses off from May to October….
what a great post! I am always a bit iffy about the chemicals in deodorant! Loving your blog you are inspiring me to want to become vegan (I am veggie already) x
I'm definitely going to try this, but I'm also curious, do you smear it on with your hands? Is it sticky?
Yep, smear it on and rub it in… then I wash my hands 🙂 Not sticky… more oily and gritty.
Oh fab, will have to try this one! I love making my own sugar scrubs and stuff, but never tried a deodorant.
http://minininjamummaturtle.blogspot.co.uk/
I was thinking of making sugar scrubs in the future too! I should. I should.
Yes do!! I've added my scrub recipe to my blog (above) if you want to try it in the future.
I've always wanted to try homemade deodorant, but I'm so afraid of smelling terrible. I'm gonna do it though, if you live in Florida I think I'll be fine here in British Columbia.
I decided to test it out on days where people wouldn't be able to smell me first 🙂
This is awesome! Definitely trying it!
woooo – cant wait to try this! been so bummed by all the natural deodorants offered out there.
How do you put it on? Like a lotion and let it absorb? Just curious, I'd love to try it.
YEP! Smear it on and rub it in!
That is awesome. I havent used any type of deoderant in 10 years but I sure wish I had known about something like this when I was quitting!
"quitting" I CANT QUIT YOU DEODORANT
I've never heard of arrowroot powder? Where do you buy it?
I'm going to try this. I've tried several aluminum free deodorants, and I wasn't impressed with any of them.
ha. I just went back and edited it to add a link. but you can buy it at most health food stores or whole food type stores! look in the baking area! I bought it for ice-cream making 🙂
thanks!
Is there a way that I can make them into small bars so I can reuse them the next time? I am so allergic to many store bought products, will this be for sensitive skin like mine?
I wonder if this will work if I have small trays that I make tiny ice with and I can use this for daily use? also is this product safe for sensitive skin like mine? I am highly allergic to all kinds of products even ones that says :"natural" I get welts and hang tags because of this,, please reply. thanks