Stink...The Natural Way

I would love to share some homemade goodies I've been making for two reasons- 1. I want others to have access to these great things too!  And... 2. I want to be able to find all my final recipes in one spot instead of my random post it notes and paper scraps all over the house! ;)

First up, my DIY deodorant! I have been using this recipe for almost a year, so through all seasons, and have gone through tons of tweaks so this is the final recipe.

I left antiperspirant behind 8 years ago when my dad was diagnosed with cancer and through all my research (ya know, you're supposed to sweat- that was news to me!) I decided to make changes to what I was putting in and on my body. I tried many different brands and ended up using Tom's. But every time I plunked down 6 bucks for deodorant I'd cringe. So my main motivation for trying to make it was cost and a bonus is knowing exactly what's in it.

DIY Deodorant
*1/2 cup cornstarch
*1/2 cup baking soda
*15-20 drops tea tree essential oil
*15-20 drops EO of your choosing (I use the combo of tea tree & Good Samaritan [similar to Thieves or On Guard if you use those], or Peppermint & tea tree)
*4 T coconut oil, to texture

Mix the cornstarch and baking soda until all clumps are gone. Add the essential oils and then the coconut oil. I would start with 2 tablespoons and keep mixing, adding a tablespoon at a time until you get the consistency you like. Note: you may want to mix with your hand because the warmth will help melt the coconut oil and help mix into other ingredients to really see the texture. It will harden in the jar after coconut oil cools and you'll be able to rub or scrape the right amount to apply. I've learned to go for a bit "dryer" in the mixing rather than mushy because it lasts longer and doesn't melt on applying. You'll find the right texture through trial and error. And if worse comes to worse and you don't like it then scoop out and add what you want to fix it. I store mine in small 4 oz (1/2 cup) mason jars- this recipe fits in two jars. This supply will last roughly five to six months.

You will want to use tea tree oil for sure. Tea tree oil is antimicrobial and antifungal. Pretty great for odors... as far as others go, that's just personal choice. I like the Good Samaritan (Thieves) because it's a blend that's also known to kill bacteria, viruses, etc and why not double the chances!

Here's the thing- the base is the baking soda, cornstarch, and coconut oil. It's up to you to add oils if you want, and maybe you want to use what you've got on hand. Just play around with what you like and what you have! Half the recipe and use one jar if you want to just try and see if it works.

I have tried multiple times to put this in a traditional deodorant container. First, I put it in an old container but woke up to a mess because all the liquid had drained out of the tiny hole in the bottom. And then I went and bought some empty containers (with no holes) and it all stayed in! Buuut...it was crumbly trying to roll it on that I had more on my bathroom floor than my pits... so back to the jars. I *may try to develop a recipe with beeswax in order to use those deodorant containers I bought so there may be more adapting in the future...

I know there are tons of skeptics out there for DIY or natural anything but this really works! I had people even comment on the scent. And at roughly $.50 a jar what's it hurt to try it?!