Ditch the TV. Check.
Make my own toothpaste. Check.
Go poo-free. Sorta check (I tried it for a month, but went back to Yes to).
Next on the list: make my own deodorant…and not be smelly. It’s so not worth it if I stink, right?!
Well, the recipe below is a winner. After we have put it to the test. After long, hot days of moving friends in humid Florida, we still don’t stink (my husband and I have done the sniff test on multiple occasions and have been amazed). Even normal deodorant wears off, but this stuff doesn’t. I am a little in awe of how well it works.
It takes a little bit of getting used to the application process, but it totally works. Not to mention the money I save and the chemicals I avoid, like aluminum. Although, there’s no solid evidence that aluminum-based compunds lead to cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, there are correlations. And to me, that’s reason enough to ditch it.
The less chemicals I put in and around my body, the better chance I have to be doing cartwheels around the grandkids someday.
Simple living takes baby steps. I am trying to get there. Trying to simplify. Trying to reduce my risk of cancer and live a longer, healthier life. And if I can lead by example, then a healthy family is pretty much in the bag.
Homemade Deodorant with Coconut Oil
Wanna join me on the hippie bandwagon? Let’s make some deodorant with coconut oil. The amount of ingredients below will fit nicely into a 125 mL Ball Elite mason jar (I bought these cuties from Target). Deodorant recipe originally from How About Orange.
ingredients
1/3 c. baking soda
1/2 c. arrowroot powder
5 tbs unrefined coconut oil
15 drops of grapefruit essential oil
directions
1. Mix baking soda and arrowroot together—I used my craigslist-score Kitchenaid Mixer.
2. Next add the oils and mix well.
3. Pour into clean jar.
application
This part is all personal preference. You can use a popsicle stick to get the deodorant out of the container…or your fingers. There are no rules, just make sure you use enough under your arms to keep you “sure” all day long.
I recently had a deodorant-making party and our first batch turned out very oily (I called it soupy). Depending on the temperature of your house, the deodorant will take on different states (coconut oil melts around 76 degrees). To counteract this, we added more baking soda and arrowroot and it became more pasty, which I prefer.
*Update (9/17/12): The original recipe used 1/3 cup arrowroot, but I recently upped it to 1/2 cup and like it a lot more. It give it more of a thick clay consistency, which is really nice. If yours is still oily, add more baking soda and arrowroot.
More uses for Coconut Oil:
I use coconut oil on my face, for baking muffins, for toothpaste, deep conditioning treatments, and so much more.
You can read all about it here.
If you have sensitive armpits, like me, you should really try this. My Old Spice worked but really irritated my arms, and the Toms brand did not irritate my armpits but it didn’t work. This feels nice and I don’t stink! Win Win.
yeah….I stunk with the tom’s too…just smelled like b.o. plus apricots
At least you had apricot scented b.o. mine was just b.o. scented b.o.
won’t this make ur arm pits oily and if i am allergic to essential oils will using a essential oil to sent it like suggested irritate my skin? oh and one more question, can i use a different essential oil to sent it (i dont have grapefruit)
If you are allergic to essential oils, I would not use them in this. Just stick with coconut oil, arrowroot and baking soda. Those three should absolutely do the trick. The essential oil is more for a yummy smell (and some do have properties which would help under the arms, but not necessary). And it’s not oily, it actually goes on like mud. And you just need a little. Hope you like it as much as I do!
If you are allergic to essential oils, I would recommend buying a quality product. 99.5% of essential oils on the market are synthetic junk that add all sorts of buffers. If it says “for external use only”, it isn’t essential oil. It’s aromatherapy crap. I recommend Thieves oil by Young-living. (essentialsurvival.org sells it or just Google it.) It also has anti-fungal, anti-microbial properties and is what I personally add to my deodorant recipe, which is quite similar to this.
Where do you get your coconut oil other natural products for these homemade concoctions? I’d love a trusted online resource or local store if possible.
Thanks!
Hey Lindsey— I really like Mountain Rose Herbs. They are based in Eugene, OR and have an incredible reputation. I buy my coconut oil by the gallon from them and love it. I also got the arrowroot and essential oils from them as well. I have also heard great things about Vitacost and I know their prices are much better (and they usually offer free shipping). They sell the coconut oil and essential oils, but not arrowroot.
Also, if you live close to a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods, I bet they have some good quality ingredients in small sizes.
— Jen
Just to let you know, Vitacost (online) does sell arrowroot from Bob’s Red mill.
Shandi
Again, Mountain rose herbs makes great coconut oil, but I would stay away from any essential oils that is advertised as external use only. They state quite clearly on the website why they are not of the quality to be used for anything but perfume. Essential oils available at Trader Joes and Whole Foods are not something I would put on my body in sensitive areas, either. Products like Aura Cacia and other popular essential oils are garbage. Some have even admitted to using anti-freeze as a buffer. If you are doing this to be more “natural”, then I highly recommend not putting anti-freeze on your armpits.
Greetings Trevor,
As AHPA (American Herbal Products Association) members, Mountain Rose Herbs follows a strict code of ethics, which includes labeling requirements for undiluted essential oils. Please feel free to view the policy here if you would like: http://www.ahpa.org/Default.aspx?tabid=224#section_undiluted_oils.
Within these labeling requirements, there are a couple of warnings that include, “external use only.” Mountain Rose Herbs fully supports and agrees with this this warning because essential oils are extremely concentrated. Someone could easily hurt themself if they weren’t aware of how to use them. As AHPA members, it’s very important to us to follow these labeling requirements to ensure the safety of our customers. Such labels shouldn’t be a deciding factor when selecting an oil and they do not mean that an essential oil is lesser in value or quality.
I can assure you that Mountain Rose Herbs does not put antifreeze in its essential oils. Our essential oils are free of carriers, diluents, and other inputs.
It’s our promise to you our essential oils are:
- True Certified Organic by OTCO
- Free of pesticide and chemical residues
- Harvested and distilled in clean facilities
- From first distillations
- Quality control tested and supervised by a certified aromatherapist
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us! We are happy to answer your questions. You can reach us at this number: 800-879-3337.
Warm regards,
Jackie
Definitely going to try this recipe! I tried straight coconut oil, which I was happy with for about a week. (Until it got warmer outside
This seems like it’d be a little more effective. And, I’ve been poo-free since November… I think you should give it another shot 
That’s funny about the coconut oil deodorant! How do you do the poo-free Trina? I would be up for trying it again, but I think I need to understand it more. And my hair is curly (and I think you have curly hair too…right?!)— it just didn’t seem to hydrate enough and my scalp never felt clean. Share some tips please!
I’m on the hippie bandwagon!
I tried to make homemade before, I can’t remember the recipe I used…but it didn’t turn out too well. I think it’s time to try again. I also have been using arm and hammer natural unscented deodorant…it is paraben and alumninum free but I’m not certain about all the other ingredients. It works pretty well at least for normal everyday wear.
Okay, I’m considering trying this out, but I’d like to hear more about what it’s like on? Can you use it if you’re going sleeveless or is this more of a covered armpits kind of recipe?
Hey Jen, it feels great on. And by that I mean after a few moments you don’t even notice it. I know from my experience with it that I would feel comfortable going sleeveless. I’m sure I have more armpit hair than you and I don’t notice anything getting stuck in it. It is similar to rubbing in lotion.
Okay, that was a little gross hun.
Since it is made with baking soda, it can leave a little residue. But I just apply a light layer and it doesn’t do it to me. Today I am gonna wear a black tanktop and see what happens. I’ll pos t back tonight with an update and let you know if it’s a green light. — Jen H.
All right Jen— I wore a navy blue tank top today and didn’t have any residue on the tanktop. I checked under my arms a couple times during the day and only once was there a little noticeable line of deodorant, but it was very subtle and only I could see it because I was on close examination.
So yes, I would wear this with a black dress, tanktop or whatever…just probably apply a very thin layer to be safe and not get the “line”.
I am honestly pretty shocked at how good it is. I would even say I stink less than I do when I wear normal deodorant. It’s some good hippie stuff!
Jen, I can totally imagine you doing cartwheels with your grandkids. Thanks for the recipe! Can’t wait to try it. My husband is “in”.
Yeah Pam!!!! Let me know how it goes.
Hi, Jen… and everyone! So glad you like my deodorant! Yes, isn’t it just the BEST EVER?! I’ve been using it for at least three years, and it has never failed me! I will never go back to store-bought!
Regarding leaving marks on clothing… it only takes a VERY SMALL AMOUNT for it to work! I think I said a “pea-sized” amount in the original post, but that can be a “baby” pea.
Make it the least amount you need to just smooth it around. It still works!
A note regarding the essential oil… it doesn’t have to be grapefruit… use any scent you like!
Spread the word to help make this a less-stinky world!
Thanks for the tip! Pea-sized amounts will make this stuff last forever! So awesome. What essential oils do you recommend from experience? I know some are more antibacterial than others, which I would think would be good for this specific product, right?
I’ve only used the grapefruit. I just smelled them all and chose the one I liked best!
I have no idea which ones would be more antibacterial, but yes, I suppose the more so the better.
To be really hippy, shouldn’t you stop shaving your armpits?
I’m not saying this to be facetious, I am a woman who does not shave my armpits and I love it.
Yeah, I am not a real hippie. Just getting inspired by the simple, healthier ways of life. My hippie bandwagon has a long journey ahead, haha. Maybe one day I will join you on not shaving my armpits, but I am definitely not there yet. What do you love about it? Why did you do it in the first place? I’m interested in this Synnove!
Hi I think this is a great idea!! My body tends to reject the effects of deodorants/anti-per spirants before I can even use an entire thing. I normally have two to three different brands to swap through every few weeks. How does this work perspiration wise? I don’t sweat a ton but i don’t like bein wet. Lol. I’m going l be trying this myself as soon as I can get the ingredients. This isn’t so much going hippie for me just finding something that hopefully will go well with my body chemistry.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Dez. I haven’t noticed any change in the level of me sweating, yet there are no chemicals that would inhibit sweat like typical deodorants. So you may sweat more, but I can honestly say I don’t. I think you should give it a try- it really is incredible stuff. My husband’s body also rejects deodorant, and he is loving it! I hope this is the case for you. Best of luck Dez.
This seems like a great idea, thanks for the recipe! From someone who used to have to apply products like Certain Dri before to stay smell and wetness free I now use a natural product called Crystal (found it at Walgreens). It’s scary to me how well it works. It’s kind of like a crystal in deodorant shape that you wet and then apply, it’s mineral salt based, antibacterial and seems to last forever. I’m still using my first one that I got about 6 months ago and I’ve barely made a dent in it.
It’s not supposed to be an antiperspirant but it seems to work that way for me, as well as a deodorant. It leaves no marks on clothes at all. Just an option if you don’t want to make your own
Hello! I gave your receipt a swing (hippie and sucker for coconut out that I am) and I loved it! It goes on easy, no stink; I was delighted. But three days later I noticed that my under arms were an angry, liver red! no pain, no itching just a slightly raised, deep discoloration.
I’m trying to figure out what caused the reaction; I didn’t use any essential oils. Have you ever heard of someone having a reaction to arrowroot? I’m bummed; it’s a wonderful deodorant otherwise. Do you think cornstarch could be a substitution?
@Nails: I have two thoughts on this:
1. You body might be detoxing. (I’ve heard that this can happen, yet haven’t experienced it first hand). So you could wait it out and continue sing for a few weeks and see if it improves. (Yet I know this could be very difficult!)
2. You might be sensitive to an ingredient. My guess would be baking soda is causing the irritation. Maybe add more coconut oil and arrowroot to dilute the baking soda? (A friend of mine mentioned this same thing and this is what stopped the rash.)
As for cornstarch vs. arrowroot: typically arrowroot is the safe bet and people have reactions to corn starch. So my gut is telling me it isn’t arrowroot, but rather the baking soda.
If you are still experiencing a rash from this, maybe you could try another natural deodorant, I’ve had people mention to me that they use Apple Cider Vinegar as deodorant. Use a cotton ball and apply a dab under your arms. I haven’t it tried it because this recipe works so well for me. But I totally get that every one’s body reacts differently to ingredients.
Best of luck!
SO INTERESTING! I just put coconut oil on my face and then thought i should do a search to see if that was a big mistake or not. Thank you for the assurance and for this deodorant recipe. The hippie in me wants to try and make it. I wonder if a drop of tea tree oil would be ok in it too. I used just plain tea tree oil as a deodorant once as an experiment because I know how antibacterial it is and it smells good. I can’t begin to tell you how well it worked. Never thought of using coconut oil. . . hm!
I think tea tree would be a go— and would smell great! It’s fun to play with all the variations of essential oils— just make sure yours are high quality. There have been a lot going around about how some essentials oils are actually synthetic— which just irks me. Let me know how it goes! I love hearing from other who make their own deodorant.
Hi,
Just made my first batch tonight! I’m so excited! I have recently started making my own cleaning agents as well as laundry detergent. I can’t wait to see how this deodorant works. I have never been able to tolerate regular deodorant and have to constantly switch about every month. I hope this helps! I also recently started using cocnut oil in my protein drinks. It’s amazing to see all of the uses for coconut oil. Thanks again for the recipe and I’ll keep you posted!
Hi! I tried making this tonight. Am I supposed to put the coconut oil in straight from the jar or melt it first? I just put it in without melting it and it didn’t work so well. Put the whole mixture in the micro for 15 seconds and it softened right up. Actually, so soft that I had to add more arrowroot and baking soda. Thanks!
I do it straight from the jar— when it’s thick and chunky. My Kitchenaid mixture worked through it and gave it an even consistency. If you live in a warm climate, you might need add more baking soda and arrowroot like you did— which will thicken it up if it’s too liquidy. Thanks for sharing your experience Olivia!
This probably works really well. I might try it sometime. I have found that milk of magnesia from the dollar store is probably the cheapest and most effective deodorant i have ever used. I literally only need to apply it every third day unless i participate in strenuous activity that cause me to perspire more than normal. Just thought i’d chime in with that tidbit
hey dear
me again.. i was just wondering, what is arrowroot exactly in your receipe.. as i am not a native english speaker and when i wikipedia it to check it gives more than one option..
sth like this:
Arrowroot is a starch obtained from the rhizomes (rootstock) of several tropical plants, traditionally Maranta arundinacea, but also Florida arrowroot from Zamia pumila, and tapioca from cassava (Manihot esculenta), which is often labelled as arrowroot.[1]
preceded by this: For the medicinal plant called arrowroot, see Curcuma angustifolia, for other uses see Arrowroot (disambiguation)
which would be this:
Curcuma angustifolia is one of over 80 species belonging to the Curcuma genus,[3] in the family Zingiberaceae (which also contains plants such as ginger and turmeric). This species is native to the Indian subcontinent and is more commonly known as wild or East Indian Arrowroot[2] or narrow-leaved turmeric in English, and is called ” tikhur ” in Hindi,” Koova ” in Malayalam.
so.. which one should i be hunting for?
hugs, smiles, blessings,
cathy
Hi there,
Been making my own deodorant for a while now using this recipe and it’s awesome! I live in TX, and have not tried it with our heat….I have been using old deoderant containers. Wash really well, and pour mixture in, put in fridge to quick harden and since it’s been winter I can keep in my bathroom, no problem. I was thinking of adding beeswax to my current recipe to keep it together. Thoughts? Btw, I didn’t read your directions, but I noticed you use your mixer…I just melt my oil and then stir other ingredients in, no problem. Thinking I’m going to add a little peppermint this time around. Nice and cooling
.
I actually bought Beeswax to try this very thing! It’s been sitting in my closet for a few months now— haven’t tried it. Yet I think it would work to make it an actual deodorant bar. Glad you are living this too— it really is amazing stuff!
I have a question.. does the coconut oil have to be unrefinded? I get mine from tropical traditions and it is NON GMO Organic BUT IT IS REFINED.. Will this be ok to use?
PS: I left this on the page about the toothpaste.. oops
this was menat to be posted here about the deodorant
Sincerly
Mary
Refined will work for this— but not for baking. Since you are not eating it, I think it would be fine. I highly prefer the unrefined— it’s beautiful stuff and works on everything. The refined is more like petroleum jelly consistency to me— the unrefined it just so, so lovely. I buy it by the gallon from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Mary, Tropical Traditions carries a wonderful GOLD-Virgin UNrefined coconut oil and I highly recommend it. They do carry the lower grade refined as well but they are known for the Gold-Virgin Oil which is top of the line. Out of the many coconut oils I’ve tried from other companies I think Tropical Traditions is the best.
I have tried going a lil hippy by using the health food store deodorants. I have about 8 of them, and I only found one that didn’t leave me smelling like a…. well… hippy!! My problem with that one is that it is sticky. I have just as much of a dislike (probably a little more even) of sticky pits as I do stinky pits. I desperately want to ditch the chemicals (especially so close to lymph nodes) but conventional deodorant is where I keep failing my quest. Does this allow you to “feel” dry-ish even when you are sweating? I can deal with slick (used silicone type anti chaffing cream for a bit) but not sticky!!!
Okay, so I pinned it to save the recipe and came back to say that I will be making my deo again and that my first batch lasted me 32 weeks! Also, I used tea tree oil since I didn’t have grapefruit oil. I will admit that it took a few days of use before I got the desired results. I used to get “shaving bumps” and what do you know, they went away once I started using this deodorant.
Switched to Lavilin after years of itchy and irritated armpits caused by normal deodorants. Lavilin is a hypoallergenic, unscented deodorant perfect for people with sensitive skin like myself. Other pluses are that it contains no aluminum, BHT, or alcohol, and lasts up to 7 days! If you have sensitive skin, then you should definitely try Lavilin.