Monday, April 18, 2011

Making my own deodorant!

 I don't know why I get quite so excited about figuring out another way to buy less and make it myself instead but I do! Today's project of making deodorant was one I had looked into quite some time ago but I still had deodorant on hand so I hadn't tried it. Maria from My full time life had sent me a recipe quite some time ago and I just now tried it out. And it was so simple!
To make the deodorant you need:
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (I believe this helps to absorb moisture)
  • 1/4 cup baking soda (and this absorbs smell)
  • 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (this binds everything together and it good for your skin as well)
  • Essential oil or your choice (Optional- I used peppermint oil today and Maria said she used tea tree oil but I want to make a batch of unscented deodorant for working with the bees.)
  • A cleaned out deodorant case to refill and use. Screw it down all the way so you can put the deodorant in.
Mix the cornstarch and baking soda together. Add the essential oil (up to 20 drops, to make it as strong as you desire). I softened the coconut oil a little by putting the measuring cup with it in it over a bowl of warm water and then I mixed everything together. I started mixing with a spoon but ended up finding it worked out better to do it with my hands. Then I started filling the old deodorant stick up. The mixture fit almost perfectly in the one container. I had just a little extra to put in another one.
 It smelled really nice and looks pretty nearly just like the stuff you buy at the store. I think it will work well. I did try it out (oh the things we will talk about on our blogs!!!) and it felt just like any other deodorant.

   This was a very good deal for me as I used coconut oil that Tropical Traditions had sent to me for reviewing, I had won the essential oil on a blog giveaway and the other two ingredients are quite cheap. And as far as packaging (because that matters to me) I will recycle the two boxes when they are empty, I will reuse the coconut oil jar and the other jar is very tiny (and probably can be recycled too).

  I am so happy to have one more thing that I can make myself. I probably won't save a ton of money as I don't go through deodorant that quickly (I think maybe I use 2 sticks a year) and normal stuff is pretty cheap (a dollar or two) but I like natural deodorant (In fact I paid over $6 for a stick last year at the health food store) and so am quite pleased to be able to make my own!

   Do you make any of your own toiletries products? I would love to hear your thoughts!

11 comments:

Maria said...

Abbi,

I'm so glad you liked the recipe. It works wonderfully and you know I teach Zumba, so I go through this stuff like crazy!! Have a beautiful day! I'm linking this blog post to mine also!

Zimms Zoo said...

We have been wanting to try this. I have been looking into using baking soda as shampoo and apple cider vinegar for conditioner.

Haven't made that switch yet. We go through a LOT of deodorant here. I like the zumba comment because we do Zumba and run so I want to know that it will work well. I have most of that on hand and will try it when we run out.

Brandi said...

I want to try this one. BTW, your recipe says "baking powder". Might want to change that. :-)

Abbi said...

Maria,
Thanks again for sharing the recipe with me!

Zimms Zoo, I have tried the Baking Soda as shampoo before and I want to try that again. I do regularly use Apple Cider vinegar in place of conditioner and I like that. I hope the deoderant recipe works well for you! It is fun to make.:-)

Brandi,
Thanks so much for alerting me to the typo. I fixed it now. That might not have worked so well.:-)
I try to reread my posts but sometimes I skim read because I am in a hurry. Obviously I missed that one.

Unknown said...

AWESOME!!! I'm soooo ging to try this! I've been making my own laundry soap and dishwasher detergent for two years now, and using a homemade baking soda shampoo, too...and this seems like the perfect way to take my 'homemadeness' to a new level!

Thanks for sharing!!

Unknown said...

AWESOME!!! I'm soooo ging to try this! I've been making my own laundry soap and dishwasher detergent for two years now, and using a homemade baking soda shampoo, too...and this seems like the perfect way to take my 'homemadeness' to a new level!

Thanks for sharing!!

Anna said...

That is an exciting recipe to try for me. I have been thinking about perusing for a natural route for this since my kids need to use it and the chemicals there really do concern me.

Jackie said...

I have made my own deodorant many times. I have never put it into an old deodorant container though. I will have to try that. I have used a recipe where I just mixed equal parts of all three ingredients. I think the smaller amount of coconut oil might be better though. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I hope this works for you. I made it and loved it, it really worked but then it broke me out. I got a really bad, painful rash and had to stop using it. I've read to use more cornstarch and less baking soda if that happens, so I'm going to try that soon. I really hope it works well for you.
Blessings,
Rashel

Abbi said...

Rachel,
After I made it I read about using less baking soda and I do think that would probably be a good idea. It is working fine now but I do remember that after using baking soda on my hair for a while my scalp started to hurt so I am a little concerned about my skin reacting as well. I am watching carefully. I do think to idea of it is a great idea though.

cathy nicolette said...

I use white vinegar every now and then for a hair rinse. I mix plain yogurt with a little lemon juice for my face wash and haven't had a pimple in a really long time. I also rub a little olive oil into my face and then rub and rub and rub sugar onto my face to ex-foliate. I love the way my face feels afterward, soft and moist. It's safe, super cheap and you usually have the stuff around your house.

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