Frugal Homemade Deoderant

Yesterday I took some time to catch up reading some of my favorite blogs by fishing around on the web.  I am amazed by the creativity of some people and the ideas they come up with to write about and share.

Backyard Farming wrote about making her own deoderant and included another site with a great recipe. http://simplemom.net/simple-homemade-deodorant-an-effective-safe-alternative/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+simplemom+%28Simple+Mom%29&utm_content=Google+Reader from Simple Mom.




I have long had problems with antipersperants (which are designed to stop sweating) and deoderants (which are designed to combat odor).  I don't like the added fragrances so I choose nonfragrance options.  Sticks, roll-on, sprays all have their unique problems and challanges.  The crystal did not seem to do it for me.  I am not sure if it was my doubt it was working or just having to change from a traditional product to an alternative product.  Bottom line is I am distrurbed that I put chemicals under my arms which can clog my pours and I pay a premium price to do this!  Now, I don't want to smell like I just came in from the fields and I don't want to have wet marks on my clothing.  So what is a girl to do?

I do like baking soda and cornstarch and have used them as bath powder for a long time.  The combination helps absorb persperation and for me does not lead to bacterial growth which is the cause for most odors.


So I am going out today to purchase some coconut oil and I have asked some friends to save me their deoderant containers.  I currently use the ball roll-on container and that won't work.  I am excited to make this change. I will price out the ingredients and report back later.  Baking soda, cornstarch and coconut oil are all that is used and I imagine a batch will last a very long time.  Since most deoderants average around
$3 and last about 3 months, leave behind plastic to be disposed of, I think making my own will be a good frugal choice.


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.


Thank you to Passionate Homemaking for providing this recipe.


Here is another good artcle on Make Effective Homemade Deoderant that includes some great tips.
Kitchen Stewardship offers an excellent step by step description making deoderant and great pictures.


Pytophiliac also has an excellent site and another recipe for making your own deoderant.  Chandelle is becoming a Master Herbalist and Holistic Nutritionist and her articles are full of wisdom and basic common sense.  I suggest you check out her blog.  I have added her blog to my daily reading list.  Here is Chandelle's recipe.


Homemade Deodorant

1/3 c. arrowroot powder or cornstarch
1/3 c. baking soda
10 drops of antibacterial essential oil
(She used lavender - other good options are lemon, tea tree, geranium, eucalyptus)
10 drops of antifungal essential oil
(She used tea tree oil - other good options are peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus)
3 T. coconut oil, softened
2 T. hemp seed oil (Sayward's recipe asks for pure vitamin E; any oil should work)
Combine the arrowroot or cornstarch with the baking soda.
In another small bowl, combine the essential oils with the coconut and hemp seed oil.
Stir well and then combine with the powders, whisking to remove any lumps.
Scoop into a small glass jar or other container that can fit your fingers.
Refrigerate overnight to set.
To use, scoop out a small amount and rub it into your skin.




P.S.  The coconut oil cost $8.30 for 14 ounces....ouch!  The baking soda and corn starch are under a dollar a box so for around $10 I will be able to make more deoderant than I can use in a year.