I read up a bit on homemade deodorants, and wow–there are so many variations. I’m going to blog about the one I settled on, and it’s quick, easy and effective. I should interject here that I consider myself somewhat of a sweathog……No, not ONE of the Sweathogs (like from Welcome Back, Kotter), but a true Sweaty Betty. I always have been. I don’t know what is wrong with the chemicals in my body, but I’ve always sweated a whole lot, and let’s just say it’s not a pleasing aroma. To be sure, it’s been terribly embarrassing to sport the smell of sweat + Dove, Secret, Dry Idea, whatever. Over the years, I just simply resigned myself to the fact that this is how my body would smell for the rest of my life, unless of course I hit on some diet tweaks that helped change the chemicals in my body, which would then miraculously make my sweat smell like roses. Not likely.
Anyway, back to the recipe. I was cruising the net for homemade deodorant recipes, and ran across so many. I finally settled on this one, simply because it seemed super easy and I had all the ingredients I needed to make it. I used that for about two weeks, just to make sure I wasn’t going to get a rash from the baking soda. Thankfully I didn’t. What I did find, however, is that on regular days (not too hot) I could use it daily, just once, and be aroma free for pretty much the whole day. On triple digit days, however, I found I would need to powder my armpits more than once, but it was still just as effective at holding any body odors at bay. Matter of fact, on the days that I forget to apply it, and odors develop, I can load up my powder puff and puff away and odors are gone almost instantly. I learned on the above deodorant link that the cornstarch actually works as a light antiperspirant, and the baking soda deodorizes. Awesome!
Here’s the recipe. I tweaked it just a little by adding essential oil to it.
Homemade Deodorant Powder
6 parts cornstarch
1 part baking soda
Essential oil of your choice
Measure your cornstarch into a closeable container (a plastic ziploc-type box will work, or even a tupperware–just as long as it has a tight lid). Add a few drops of essential oil, whatever fragrance you like. I used lavender, and about 5 drops. (Remember, you will be daily applying this to your armpits, so choosing something more gentle might be in order.) Close your container and shake your cornstarch and essential oil so as to distribute the oil evenly. Once that is done, open your container back up and add your baking soda. Repeat the shaking process. Transfer to a pretty jar or tin.
To apply, you can use a powderpuff that is leftover from some body powder, or make your own. I made mine using this tutorial. I adjusted the size to fit my tin, and used a swatch of cotton batting for the fuzzy side. It works great!
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That’s neat, Kristi! I’ve dabbled with making my own soap and laundry detergent and would like to try deoderant too. What an easy recipe! I may just try it– and fwiw, I’m with you in the ‘sweaty betty’ dept..
Right? It’s so embarrassing. You’ll have to let me know how it works for you!
This is so helpful. I think I will make my own Deo. powder too!
I am actually ALLERGIC to most antiperspirants and deodorants…I get a nasty itchy rash. I just found Toms ROLL ON and it works pretty good. It doesn’t stop me from sweating but it does help control the odor. The STICK is thumbs down…doesn’t work!
Add to this powder and I’ll be home free from odor and rash.
Oh Parsley—let me know how it works for you—after two weeks. Let your body adjust, if it needs to.
Make sure that you don’t add more of the baking powder than is needed because it is known to give a rash. This is why it is used on a 1:6 ratio, rather than a 1:1. The essential oil makes it smell wonderful. I used Lavender.
My husband cannot wear deod at all, it breaks him out. We found the crystal deod stones and we bought him one two years ago and he is still using it !! He will probably get at least a few more months until it is gone. They are anywhere from six to eight bucks depending on the health store, we bought the THAI Crystal Deodorant Stone, brand, it is s haped like a roll on deod and here the thing, he is a huge sweater too and works as a maintence mechanic in a large paint factory that is hotter and more humid than outside and comes home with his clothes white with salf from his sweat, and he does not smell even a tiny bit. Six bucks on average for over two years, it does not get much better than that and I still use my anti perserant because I do not like to sweat, lol, but I may go back to it too, it really works. You put it on after your shower and for him, and me, it works until the next shower 24 hours later. It says it also works for foot odor as well. The other great part, it is just mineral salts, so it is all natural !!!
Stephie ( my blog name is showing but it is me !! )
That’s interesting, Stephie–I’ve never heard of a deodorant stone. Very cool!
Remember that lavender is anti-everything (antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal) so I’m sure that is going to help fight the bacteria that causes odor.
Ann, I did not know that. Cool! Thanks for sharing that!
I really ought to probably know more about essential oils before I put them on my skin!
Thanks for this recipe. I’m a sweater/stinker, but usually a good antiperspirant works fine for me. However, this looks like it would save money and last me longer than a solid or roll-on would as well.
Also, while DH isn’t allergic, per se, some can make him break out. This would probably work well for him as well. Especially since it’s so hot where he is right now.
Hi Beth!
I have found that it really does help a lot. There was a short period of adjustment for me, but now I feel so dry using just this–SO much dryer than I ever felt using any type of deodorant, even the “dry” variations. The only problem I have with this is that it can get all over my clothes if I’m not careful. I’m figuring it out tho.
OK… I am going to try this one. Definitely. And I’m gonna make my own powder puff, oh yes I am!
Thanks for sharing~☺~
You are welcome, Diane! You’ll have to come back and let me know how you like it.
Honestly–it’s the weirdest thing–I don’t sweat NEARLY as much as I used to when I used store-bought deodorant. I’m not sure if that’s normal, but I’m pleasantly surprised! Still using this powder and loving it!
OMgoodness Kristi I was laughing so hard “sweaty betty” reminds of the days at HBHS!!!! This is so cute that you’ve developed a blog, what a great idea! I am going to try your recipe for deodorant, my son gets horrible rashes from any and all kinds of deodorant-natural or not. And yes I too, believe it or not am a sweaty betty!!! haha
I am blessed to see you reaching out to others in this way, so neat to see the Spirit of God moving in your life! LuvU!
Ha ha! I’m so glad you found my blog, Jo, and that you are enjoying it!
The deodorant for some reason seems to work best for me in the summer, and I think it’s a good idea to switch up every so often to something else. I really like this kind, though, and it doesn’t mess up all of my clothes!
Hiya Girly!
You have a discrepancy I need straightened out. You have baking soda in the recipe but you refer to baking powder in a comment. I’m pretty sure you meant baking soda but I just want to be sure.
I am going to make this for James. He can’t use any deoderant or antiperspirant without getting a rash. Right now he uses Shower2shower but, if I can find a manly smelling essential oil, I think homemade would be even better for him.
So glad you are still in my life, even though it is long distance.
Dear Jenny, YES–baking soda. Sorry about that!
Some hm deodorant recipes call for half baking soda and half cornstarch, and that caused a rash for me, so 6 parts to 1 part is way better. However, you may need to adjust it down even more if he is super sensitive.
Hmm…manly essential oils…how about something pine scented? There are just so many out there, but you know, you don’t really even have to use EO if you can’t find something he wants to smell like.
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I love your site!!! I have made my own laundry detergent for a couple of years now but have only recently started looking into making all of our products from cleaning to health and beauty. I have been searching for a while for different recipes and one that I have held off on was the deoderant. Not because I didn’t want to but because I was affraid they wouldn’t keep me dry ( I use the clinical strength deoderants). After reading your post and review of this recipe I feel confident in making this one. I will give it a couple of weeks and then try to remember to come back and let you know. I can’t wait to look through all of your insiteful posts. BTW, I have a group on facebook called Happy Homemakers. I would love for you to join us!
Wow, thank you Dena! I would love to join you! May I have a link to your page? I did find a group called Happy Homemakers, but I want to make sure to join the right page!
This deodorant powder is great to keep you dry on moderate weather days, and works wonderfully for eliminating odor on hot days. For me, it works its very best with daily showers.
I had previously been using clinical strength deodorants too, and while this powder doesn’t really work exactly the same as its store-bought counterpart, it does work with common sense body care. A cool perk, besides the money you will save, is that it doesn’t muck up the armpits of your clothing and your shavers with caked on waxy build-up (which also saves money in the long run).
Thanks for visiting, and don’t forget to leave me your link!