Pinterest

Monday, October 1, 2012

Homemade Deodorant: Does it Really Work?


Here we go; it's a deodorant throwdown.  Don't let the Speed Stick bottle fool you...it's only serving as a useful vessel to hold our natural homemade deodorant.  It's recycling and making your own product in one package.  Okay, so does this stuff work?  This is another favorite item going around Pinterest and on blogs.  I actually heard of this years ago from my niece, but I'll admit, I was highly skeptical.  



So, I came across the recipe on the blog, Homestead Revival (a great blog to check out btw), I was casually telling my husband about it.  He was even more skeptical and resistant to the idea.  I dropped the subject: totally understanding his feelings, but thought I may try it out on one of my teenagers. Well, all these years of being married must have done something, because he went ahead and made his own simple version of it, fairly certain it would be a bust. He just combined baking soda and coconut oil.   Not only was it NOT a bust, he was completely amazed!  He couldn't believe it and made up a small batch to use.  Of course this prompted our 16 year old to try it and try it he did and was in shock.  Well, maybe shock is a little strong, but you get the idea.  He was complaining only the day before how his regular deodorant wasn't strong enough and after using the natural version he was fresh smelling and his clothes were too!  



So amazed was he, that he began to tell his friends about it and THEY were interested.  As a matter of fact, all I heard for days was how great this stuff was.  That's pretty impressive folks.  I mean, to have any product work so well is something to be happy about, but one that is natural and only cost pennies?  This was too good to be true, but it really does work.  I have already been using natural store bought deodorants, so when those run out, I will make up my own batch.  But for now, this stuff is a wonder working product!


Store bought deodorant completely knocked out of the ring...!
When I would do the laundry before, their shirts would be difficult to wash. The waxes and whatevers in the store bought deodorant not coming clean in the wash.  It would actually hold in the odors in their clothes.  Now, with this all natural version, their clothes smell great and even fresh.  Incredible!



So save those old deodorant bottles, let them soak overnight in soapy water and you can put your own homemade deodorant in them.  The natural product is much softer and you only need a light application for it to work. It costs literally pennies, much cheaper than any natural product out there AND this one has no chemicals...perfect.

The cons?  Well, remember it's deodorant, not anti-perspirant, so you WILL perspire, but that's a natural function of the body anyway.  We need to sweat to detox, so preventing it is actually hurting us.  It's better to layer a t-shirt under clothing to help with perspiration.

Here's a basic recipe to get you started.  We changed our formula a bit by adding less oil to make it stiffer to put in the deodorant containers.  It's all depends on you.  The tea tree oil is anti-bacterial; it will help kill the odor causing bacteria and gives it a pine-ish scent.  It's not necessary, but it does help the overall effectiveness of the deodorant.

Here it is: 

1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch
4--6 Tbsp of Coconut Oil (Depending on how stiff you want the product to be)
Tea Tree Oil  (You don't need this to get started, but you'll love it.  Tea Tree oil can be found at Walmart.)

Mix together throughly and put in your container. If you're already using this, pass this review along to others, it's a great product....just ask my teenager!

What are your thoughts on homemade deodorant?  Blessings!

Linked to these blog parties: Homestead Revival , Living Green Tuesdays ,  Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways ,   Backyard Farming Connection Hop ,
The Country Homemaker Hop , Simple Lives Thursday , Clever Chicks Blog Hop

38 comments:

  1. I love to hear feedback like this on things I've read about. Now, I know I REALLY need to try making homemade deodorant. This is something I've been on the fence about, but I won't know until I try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so true Jan. I always read customer reviews before buying, they are so accurate! I figured if men who are heavy in the perspiration dept. loved this stuff; it had to be good! I couldn't believe how much they raved over it...!

      Delete
  2. I put this on for a year now, and it's AMAZING!
    I live in the most humid town of Greece and NOTHING works like this natural deodorant. I usually add a few drops of lavender for the scent

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Humid temps. definitely are a great test for this stuff. Thanks for posting how much you like it...it really helps others to decide to use it. I blogged about it because two MEN used it and liked it! I still am surprised over how much they love it! Good tip about the lavender too. I did have that on the blog but someone was telling me that lavender is not safe (based on the results of one test) for women with estrogen receptive tumors. I'm still doing some research on it myself as I know lavender has been used for centuries without adverse health effects. Thanks for reading!

      Delete
  3. I will be trying this recipe! I've been looking for a good one, and this looks pretty good! Thanks for sharing it!

    I am stopping over from the blog hop at Frugally Sustainable and am now following your blog via GFC!

    Helen
    Blue Eyed Beauty Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Helen and following. Will visit your blog too! Hope you like the recipe, my guys are amazed by it! Blessings! Nancy

      Delete
  4. I just started using this minus the tea tree oil and so far so good. That's saying something, too, because I have the hardest time finding deodorant that actually works for me. I don't use the applicator because I don't need that much. I just have it in a dish on my counter and apply with my fingers. I'll have to try it with the tea tree oil.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laura, I agree about finding a great deodorant product. I found that most of them ruined clothing and weren't effective at all, that's what makes this such a great recipe! I know the Tea Tree Oil is optional, but it does help kill bacteria and give it a bit of a scent. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. I am totally going to try this. I tried some of the 'natural' brands and they didn't work, but I bet the tea tree oil would really help!

    http://www.munchtalk.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is pretty amazing how well it works. I think the tea tree oil gives it an "edge" because of its scent too. Hope you like it!

      Delete
  6. I am really fan of these natural deodorants( my favourire recipe is with cacao butter and monoï), I have been using them since several months and I am really content.
    Your recipe is a simple and efficient one, and with tea-tree oil you will get the anti-bacterial effect which other bought deo aren't able to give.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Natalia, yes, I am a fan and a believer as well in how good this works! I would like to hear your recipe too. It sounds good too. The nice thing about this recipe is how easy it is to gather the ingredients around your house, no special stops at the herb shop for this one! :)

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  7. I made some deoderant using this recipe. It works extremely well. I was surprised how well it works. I've tried several diffierent brands including the clinical strength commercial deoderants and antiperspirants but nothing has worked as well as this. I don't add tea tree oil, fortunately in my opinion this hasn't decreased it effectiveness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I agree you don't have to add tea tree oil for it to work. I think it adds a good scent and helps to kill odor causing bacteria...a nice plus. Thanks for reading! :)

      Delete
  8. When a teenager is impressed, that's enough evidence for me that it works! LOL
    Thanks for linking this up at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Nancy!

    Hope to see you next week!

    Cheers,
    Kathy
    The Chicken Chick

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for hosting too...have a great weekend! :)

      Delete
  9. Hi Nancy,
    I tried a similar recipe from The Morris Tribe's blog and I love it too. It's still working better for me than all the expensive ones in the store. I tested mine during a 100+ degree heat wave and I was shocked. I won't go back to the store stuff if I can avoid it. BTW- Amy of Homestead Revival is an amazing lady. I have been blessed to have met her and spent a little time with her and I have to say I've met few people that I felt were so genuine and kind. She's one of a kind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing how much you like the homemade deodorant. It's great to hear everyone's stories about it! So glad I'm able to "meet" so many great people via blog parties/link-ups. I've learned so much and it's amazing to connect with so many great people; thanks Heidi! :)

      Delete
  10. Thanks for the side by side - we don't use much deodorant in the first place (temperate climate and the ingredients), but have still considered making our own. Nice to know how it works, and that it does!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has worked out great for us. It's nice to know you can go to the pantry to find some easy simple remedies at home! Thanks for stopping by...:)

      Delete
  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Will try it too :)
    Thanks for sharing. Your guys having approved it just made me bought tea tree oil :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Update: I found that those bottles were te best since they retain the stuff inside and necessitate only a little bit of warm (let a bit of white stuff to solidify outside of the holes at each usage so the application under arm pits is sufficient to warm the stuff so it goes out of the holes)

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8p2VeH7S2No/TrQ3Puj2yCI/AAAAAAAAC_o/QU_S6CNNj3o/s1600/gillette.jpg

    Pay attention though. Seems like the coconot oil liquifies around 25 celcius, so make sure that that applicator stays in upward position at all time in bag :)

    Good stuff! Perfectly works!!!
    Thierry

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for this great recipe!

    I've tried it and so far no issues (with the odour)

    One question though related to stains: are these stains easier to remove than stains left by regular deodorant sticks?
    I know that the washing machine doesn't do a good job at removing those...

    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very good question. We've been using this for a long time now and found no problems with the laundry. Everything washes out easily as long as we keep all the proportions in balance. Commercial deodorants have lots of waxes and other ingredients that cause staining to clothing. Thanks for visiting!

      Delete
    2. That sounds very good!
      Thank you for the quick reply.

      Delete
  15. I am using it for over two months, I use arrowroot powder instead of corn, I am scared of anything with corn, and i use lavender oil instead of tea oil (I hate the smell of it) It is working and it is working on my husband and u know how strong smell of sweat men have. Next one I will add some beeswax so it will stay in deo stick. Thank you so much for fantastic posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like a good idea with the beeswax...our guys really like it after all this time - what an awesome all natural money saver!!

      Delete
  16. I never going back to store deo stick. I found the best way , wash underarms with Dr. Bronner lavender bar or any other. It is so mild on skin then put the deo, works as a charm. Nancy you should put some DIY creams and lotion on your page, it would be awesome. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just made a batch of this and put it on. I added a few drops of rose essential oil along with the TTO. I hope it works because I just used the last of my crystal rock, which wasn't working all that well, BTW. Thanks for the recipe. :)

    I've used just baking soda before but it irritated my skin too much so I had to stop. I'm hoping the coconut oil and corn starch do the trick.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've found that if we balance the soda with the cornstarch and oil, it doesn't irritate us either. Hope it will work out for you all!

      Delete
  18. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  20. So excited to try this recipe tomorrow. I saw a similar recipe online somewhere else. The only difference I am going to do is use monoi oil. It's tahitian coconut oil infused with the tiare flower so the scent is divine. They sell the small bottle at whole foods or any natural store like that. I've been using it just as is without any powders as a daily underarm deodorant. Toms just doesn't work for me. It makes me smelly and wet easily.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi! how much Tea tree oil should i put with this recipe?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, we only used a few drops per recipe. It's better to add less in the beginning to see how your skin reacts....you can always add more later. Hope this helps! Thanks for asking!

      Delete