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Dear hard-working (and thus sweaty),
I consider myself an expert on store-bought deodorants.
As in, I've tried them all.
I HATE sweaty arm-pits - for some reason, it just irks the heck out of me when my arms feel sticky and soggy! Perhaps the rest of the world loves it, but I loathe it!
I thought I must just be super sweaty or something, because even the Dove Prescription Strength stuff wasn't doing the trick for me. Never thought about the fact that maybe store-bought deodorant, like store-bought cookies, milk and many (but not all) other conventional products, was just inferior to homemade, mystery-ingredient-less pit stopper.
Well, perhaps I considered it, but then remembered that homemade deodorant is hard to make. Not sure where I got that assumption, but pretty sure I believed it, because I mean, who makes deodorant, really?
I was inspired to make it by this post. This stuff was about as hard to make as a peanut butter sandwich. Warning: if you can't even make a peanut butter sandwich, you may not want to try this, in fact you may not want to try much of anything.
My ultra-fancy tools (hard to find but well worth it). Bowls, spoons, mixer or whisk, and an empty or almost-empty deodorant container and spatula.
The mysterious and esoteric ingredients, available from anywhere things are sold. Coconut oil, baking soda, cornstarch, and a scent if you like.
Literally it was just a few ingredients from my kitchen (three, to be exact, with one optional add-in), blended together. Done.
I warmed the coconut oil a little to make blending easier.
Then I easily blended in the baking soda and cornstarch, as well as a few drops of essential oil just for fun.
Smoosh, smoosh! I chilled it in the freezer for about two minutes because I am impatient, and smashed it all thickly together.
Look, empty deodorant container! I just took out the last scrap of deodorant. If you're worried about the homemade stuff melting through, you could leave a little store deodorant in the container as a plug.
I slobbed some of the homemade stuff into the deodorant container because I'm fancy like that, and put the rest in a jar for refills later.
Wiped it down and put on labels to be snazzy (a good time for chalk labels? I'd better order more).
Homemade Pit Stopper Better Than the Store Bought Stuff and Also Less Mysterious
I wasn't sure I trusted homemade deodorant yet, so when I mixed this batch up I made sure I had a little bit of the Real Stuff set aside. The next day I threw the Real Stuff away and now just use the Good Stuff! This may be difficult to make on a hot day, as coconut becomes liquid at warm temperatures.
You can buy empty deodorant containers online! Here is an affiliate link: 5 Deodorant Empty Containers - for lotion bar, heel balm etc. (2 oz.)
1/4 cup (generously scooped) coconut oil, warmed to partially liquid
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot or corn starch
Optional: essential oil or pure extract for aroma, unless you used virgin coconut oil in which case it will smell like coconut, yum!
Using a blender or a vigorous fork, whip together ingredients. Store in a jar and apply by hand, or cool until thick and pack into an empty deodorant container.
Note: If you are anxious try try it, you can make some now and then let it soften and pack it into an old deodorant container later! When I was packing it in to the deodorant container, I chilled it in the freezer for just a few minutes and then stirred it together to get it evenly thick. Also, if you keep your bathroom really hot, you should be warned that this will melt right out of your deodorant container unless you leave a little store deodorant in the container as a plug.
Using It: The Facts. When you initially swipe this on, your body heat will instantly melt the coconut oil and your arms will feel wet. When this happened, I was horrified! I hate spray-on or gel-like deodorants that feel wet. Hate them!! Even though I know you can leave your shirt off and let the deodorant dry, it never really does and I feel sticky and irritated all day.
However, in this instance I was pleasantly surprised to find that the deodorant dried instantly, by the time I could pull a shirt out of the drawer; and then miracle of miracles, I forgot I was wearing it all day! I even wore two t-shirts and a sweatshirt and then ran eight errands (with a baby!), which generally would leave me sticky and damp under the arms. When I got home that night I suddenly remembered I was testing homemade deodorant, and hurriedly took off my sweatshirt to see how soggy I was. What? No sticky? No sweaty? A miracle!! I raced off to throw away my store-bought deodorant immediately!!
Did I mention that even with premium coconut oil, this is still cheaper than buying deodorant at the store, even with store coupons... ?
You can even store spare deodorant in the freezer now - what a fun way to freak your friends out!
Not sticky,
Mrs H
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