Sunday, July 15, 2012

Homemade Deodorant Recipes

I'm on a mission!  This is part 3 of "What's Lurking in your Deodorant?"  
Catch up with part 1 and part 2.

This mission, should you choose to accept it will be adventurous and maybe a bit stinky.  I will attempt to make a few different recipes for homemade deodorant to see which one will work for me.  I workout in the gym, help my hubby in the Chiropractic office and am a member of my local Women's Club.  Somewhere in the middle of all of that I find time to garden, volunteer and be crafty.  Here goes!

Soothing Classic Deodorant Recipe
photo from Crunchy Betty

3 Tbsp dried chamomile
2 Tbsp dried calendula
5 Tbsp coconut oil
3 Tbsp sunflower oil (or other oil, like avocado, sweet almond, or apricot kernel)
1/4 c. + 2 Tbsp baking soda
1/4 c. + 2 Tbsp arrowroot powder

Essential oils of your choosing (lavender and tea tree are my favorite antibacterials)
In a small, sterilized jar, add the flowers and the oils (making sure your coconut oil is liquified first). Shake well. Store in a dark place for 2-3 weeks, shaking occasionally.
After 2-3 weeks of infusion, strain the oil from the flowers (again, heating up the oil slightly if it’s in a solid-ish state). In another sterilized jar, combine the infused oil with the dry ingredients and stir well. Add your essential oils drop-by-drop, stirring constantly. Store in your bathroom. This should keep for 3-4 months.
 
Homemade Deodorant
From Homestead Revival
(Makes one small canning jar - just over  1/2 cup)

1/4 C. baking soda
1/4 C. cornstarch or arrowroot
5 - 6 T. coconut oil
Tea Tree Oil (optional)


Combine the baking soda and cornstarch, then work in the coconut oil. I used my mixer to incorporate the two until well combined. 

If desired, add tea tree oil (anywhere from 5 - 20 drops) which has natural antibacterial qualities. I tried adding some lavender essential oil, but the coconut oil seemed to overpower the scent a bit. Just think of this deodorant as having a tropical scent and leave it at that. 

You can adjust the amount of coconut oil if necessary. I liked mine a bit dryer, but if you want, increase the oil up to 8 T. Also, if your room is warm, the oil might liquify at around 76 degrees, so move it to the refrigerator if necessary or a cooler room. I popped mine in the fridge so that it would firm up a bit after using the mixer.

To use: Rub a small amount on underarms. 


Many of the recipes I found online were very similar.  I found one that added Lavender Oil instead of Tea Tree Oil.  I'll stick to these three variations first and let you know how it turns out.

While you wait to find out what happens next and stay tuned for Sprouting at Home!
Mary's Sprouting Kit

13 comments:

Julie said...

I've never even heard of making homemade deodorant. What a great concept. Does this work well to keep you dry? I live in a very hot/humid climate and need something that will keep me dry and work for a long duration of time.

Thanks for sharing on Marvelous Mondays!

Julie

Mary Smith said...

Hi Julie! I live in South Florida and I am just getting into DIY deodorant. I'll let you know how the experiment works in about a week.

Cindy B. said...

I made a similar recipe with just 1/4 baking soda, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup coconut oil. I found that I needed to add more cornstarch and baking soda as it was too oily. I would recommend going with 1/8th a cup of coconut oil and then slowly add more if you need. I am on day 4 of using it and I am sooooooo impressed with how well it works. I live in NC and have been outside sweating and no odor what so ever! I will never go back to store bought. I haven't tried adding essential oils yet as I am on a tight budget and can't really afford them right now.

Cassie said...

Now that is something I've never tried! Great idea! I'm happy to be your newest follower via the Mom's Mingle, and would love a visit back at http://www.two-in-diapers.blogspot.com! :)

Mary Smith said...

Thank you Cindy for the tips! I have a few essential oils on hand for soapmaking so I'll just use what I have.

Ladies Holiday said...

super! i can't wait to hear the results in the meantime...i am tweeting this and bookmarking it so i can refer to it...with high hopes. hi from the eye heart hop :)

heather @ new house, new home, new life said...

Cool! Thanks for sharing this on the All Star Block Party

Full Circle Creations said...

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party!

Holly

Maria Sself said...

Oh, I can't wait to read about the results!!! I always struggle to find a better version of my "natural" deodorants:-(( Keep us updated, Mary!;-)

Little Susie Home Maker said...

I love stuff like this. I would love the lavender, every time I use tea-tree oil my son can't stand the way I smell! Haha. So kind of not a good use of "de-odorant!" Haha!
I hope this is good working for you.
Blessings,
Susie

Kristin said...

Hi Mary,

I can't wait to hear how these worked out. I was thinking thinking about making homemade deodorant the other day.

Thanks for sharing

Kristin

Libby said...

I'm interested in trying that second recipe especially. Probably because I have all the ingredients. :-)

* Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm following this one and the other through GFC. Happy Friday!

Anonymous said...

I have just recently started making my own deodorant and love the whole idea of making your own. I just tried that is the best one I have found. It has all the same ingredients plus beeswax to help with the 'solidness' and just a few drops of castor oil to make it 'glide on' much more easily. Otherwise the ingredients are the same - cornstarch (or arrowroot), baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), coconut oil, essential oils (I prefer thyme oil for anti-bacterial since I am not a real fan of tea tree's smell).
If you are interested in the exact recipe, let me know and I will share it in a few days, when I get it perfected.
Thank you Mary and keep the journey going...