This year my goal is to try more DIY projects than I have in the past.
So far, I’ve made homemade hand soap, which was a huge success. Since we made our first batch in February, we’ve kept using it and continue to make more when we start to run low. We haven’t purchased a single bottle of store bought hand soap since we started using our DIY version, so I definitely consider the hand soap a success.
The homemade hand soap was February’s DIY project. I have yet to post on March’s project, but it was a flop for me. I’m planning on posting about that soon.
April’s project was homemade deodorant (recipe from Green Your Way), and this is what I’m going to talk about today. Our homemade deodorant was…..a smashing success!
The recipe is so simple, yet effective (and you know we need ‘effective’ when it comes to deodorants :-)). I’ve been using the deodorant for about a month now, and I love it. I honestly can see this homemade recipe replacing our store bought deodorants.
Ruben and I have been using Tom’s of Maine deodorant and Crystal for our store bought versions, because both the Tom’s of Maine & Crystal deodorants are aluminum-free, which is important to us for health reasons. Aluminum in deodorant has been linked to cancer. Yikes.
And while we like both the Tom’s of Maine & Crystal deodorants….we are not truly 100% satisfied with either brand.
Enter the homemade version.
I love it.
Plus, it’s so easy to make, a 9yr. old can do it. Breanna, our 9yr. old daughter, made the deodorant for us while I supervised. She likes creating things in the kitchen, whether it’s a yummy new recipe or a DIY project, she’s our girl!
Plus, it counts for her school time. Bonus for her.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 5 tablespoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Combine the baking soda and cornstarch in a bowl. Then mix in the coconut oil. Transfer deodorant to an airtight container.
- To use, put a little deodorant on finger tips and apply.
Here’s what the finished product looked like for us:
The deodorant in the container I ended up storing it in:
Have you tried any DIY projects lately?
Side note:
I haven’t any problems storing the deodorant in this Georgia heat….meaning that my deodorant, which is stored on our bathroom counter in our sometimes very HOT upstairs living area, hasn’t liquified (since it’s made out of coconut oil). But if you do find this is a problem for you, just try to store it in a cooler area.
Update: I created a How To Make Homemade Deodorant Video Tutorial for you as well.
Sandra, it is great you posted about this. I was just looking at some DIY deodorant recipes. This one is the one that kept coming up. I am glad to know from you that it works well. We will have to give it a try.
I also have a question about your homemade hand soap. Did you find the soap to be a little stringy? I used a bar soap but mine set up so hard I could cut it with a knife. I added lots more water and got it to a thick liquid soap and I have been diluting it down each time I need more and it is working but it is so stringy. I may have to hunt down some Mrs. Meyers soap and give that a try for our next batch. What has been your experience? What kind of bar soap has worked the best for you?
Thanks
Hi Shelly!
I think you’ll really like this recipe. Let me know if you end up trying it out. π
About the hand soap, I did find the first batch to be a little more stringy than I would have liked. But the second batch worked out great because we added LESS water than the original recipe called for. So I’d recommend either adding a few cups less water or an extra 1-2 tsp. of glycerin. That should help it not to be so stringy. It definitely worked for us, and I like the second batch better than the first.
By the way, we go through A LOT of hand soap in our house, so for our second batch, we doubled the recipe, but added less water and got the right consistency.
Also, the soap you use DEFINITELY matters. π I use the Dr. Bonner’s peppermint soap from Trader Joes, and it has never failed me. I haven’t had to use the beaters to beat the soap or anything like that. I simply stir the solution, and it comes out nicely – no cutting with knives or beaters necessary. π At least not in our case.
I think I’ll a quick update post soon with tips to getting a better consistency.
Thanks for letting me know your experience, Shelly. I hope your next batch turns out better.
This may sound silly but how do you apply it? We’ve been doing a lot of DIY lately, laundry soap, dishwasher soap,fabric softener and greek yogurt
Hi Gina!
I apply the deodorant with my finger tips. Just put a little on the finger tips and apply to the underarms. I wash my hands afterwards, and I’ll good to go. π
Way to go on making all the DIY stuff!
This recipe does look really easy and I already have everything for it. It’s hard finding aluminum deodorant for a cheap price. I definitely will try this. Thanks for sharing it!
You’re welcome, Paula!
I’m so glad you commented about the soap…I made some a few months ago and we are still using up that batch. The stringiness has taken some getting used to, but my husband doesn’t really like it. I’d be glad to see your update on using less water to see if it helps us.
Hi Erin,
I’m planning on making a video to show you guys how I make my next batch. I’m hoping to get the video on the blog next week. π
I made this the other day. It was so easy! My husband and I both like it. I poured it into an old deodorant container. I have needed to keep it in the fridge at our house, otherwise it gets a little melty. It may be because of our high humidity.
Hi Paula,
I’m so glad you like it! And I spoke too soon about it not melting. I hadn’t had ANY problems with the deodorant liquifying until we got 90-100+ degree temps. here in Georgia. The deodorant did liquify, but it goes back to solid, and it’s still find to use as a liquid. π
I plan on making this tomorrow! How long does the mixture last?
Hi Brooke!
I’ll speak for myself saying that this deodorant lasts me at least 3 months. π
Thank you for the great receipe. I will have to gather the ingredients and try to make my own. I would like to share an excellent all natural, aluminum free deodorant. I’ve tried the salt crystal, Tom’s, etc.. but they seem to work only for so long. However, I have experienced nothing but success with Nutural. After wearing this deodorant all day, and completing my 5 mile run before dinner, there is still NO! stink and no stains on my clothes. I love it.
http://www.nuturalife.com
I have been using this deodorant recipe for three days and so far love it. I am still getting used to sweating more, but i do not smell. I find that I need to reapply it mid-day.
Hi Erin! Thanks for sharing your experience. π
Hi Sandra, I read several of your comments on your blog…about the hand soap coming out stringy.
In your second batch how much water did you actually decrease so it wasn’t stringy. Want to try making
several of your homemade recipes within the next 2 weeks and hopefully the hand soap won’t be stringy.
Please advise how much water 3 qts??? instead of a gallon???
Thanks so much for sharing all you wonderful ideas with us…Sandy
Hi Sandy!
Okay, now when I make hand soap, I use exactly one gallon of distilled water, one bar of soap (Dr. Bonners – same kind I always use), and 2 tablespoons plus 1-2 teaspoons of glycerin to get the right consistency.
I am actually in the process of making a fresh pot of homemade hand soap today. It’s done on the stove, but I am waiting for it to set up. I used one gallon of distilled water, one bar of soap, and 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of glycerin. I want mine even less runny because I have a 3 year old that gets a little wild with the soap. Lol!
Thanks, Sandy! π
Thanks for the recipe! Once I read that using only baking soda as deodorant works. But as I live in a very hot place this didnt work for me and I got upset as my wish was to use something natural and not industrial. Probably the coconut oil makes the difference. Surely I am trying this DIY deodorant. Thanks for sharing!!!
Blessings,
NΓ‘dya
I’ve made this several times now and it’s the best deodorant I’ve ever used. For a container, I spoon it into an old Tom’s stick cylinder. To keep the consistency right, in the winter I put it on the windowsill; in the summer, it goes in the fridge.
Let me tell you! I am a rare woman who has SERIOUS b.o. issues – all of my life! VERY powerful! Mind you, married to a 1/2 Chinese man who can go 1 week in Memphis summer without deodorant & not even hint at stinking! This deodorant is fantastic! I wash my underarm area with liquid antibacterial soap (a dermatologist recommended it since b.o. is caused by bacteria in your skin – please do this if you have issues with BO – it works!) & this deodorant ROCKS! no store bought stuff compares. NO smell ever! 1st time in my 40 years of life! (well, since puberty, anyway) Thank you!!!
Hi Sonia! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and write this wonderful testimonial of how the homemade deodorant worked for you. Thank you! And I’m so, so glad it worked for you and you love it!
Hi! I’m really interested in trying out this deodorant. I am just concerned about one thing. When reading up on coconut oil deodorant, I found that some have had problems with the coconut leaving oil stains on their clothes. Has that been an issue for you at all?
Thanks!
I have been using it for years and haven’t had any issues with that. The only thing is that if I haven’t worn a black shirt in months and I find it has white spots on the armpits, but that is only a powder residue that is easily removed by throwing it in the wash.
Just a question… I have been using this type of deo for a few years now and have recently noticed darker skin (red) in my arm pits and am wondering if it could be a result of any of the ingredients.
Hi B. I don’t think so and haven’t heard of that. But you may want to check the labels on the ingredients you’re using and make sure they’re up to date.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hello, You need to really mix the dry ingredients well 1st, then add the coconut oil. blend all 3 very well before using. Baking soda is a mild abrasive, but in this deodorant, it is not so. Unless you dont mix well the Baking Soda & Cornstarch 1st – I experienced this last summer. Or if you are pregnant! (I was preggo & was rubbing off skin under arms after I gave birth (darker skin develops under arms during pregnancy for some women of color) Use fresh ingredients & you will be fine – I have used it for years now
My husband is allergic to the deodorant from the store. I made this last night and he tried it today. He says his arm pits are on fire. I’m wondering which ingredient would affect him like that since he eats baking soda in things and starch. Coconut oil is not harsh at all. I didn’t add any essential oil.
Hmmm…I don’t know what may be causing the problem, Amanda. I would try searching for an alternate recipe, though, and I hope that works better for him. π
Hi dear … do you have a recipe for whitening deo?
Hi Cynthia, unfortunately, this is the only homemade deodorant recipe I’ve used.
Thanks for stopping by! π
Hi,
I have wanted to try making my own deodorant but have a concern about the oil in it leaving grease stains on my clothing. I would like to hear everyone’s experience with this. Thanks!
Hi Narita! Thanks for stopping by! π I can tell you that I haven’t had any problems with this deodorant leaving oil stains on my clothing.
Hello, I want to make this deodorant but I am confused what kind of cup shall I use! How much will it be in grams perhaps? Thank you. π