DIY Deodorant: Natural Baking Soda Deodorant
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DIY deodorant is a super simple and effect natural homemade deodorant made from only three ingredients. This baking soda deodorant is really easy to make and will leave you odor-free all day. Follow my tips below to make your own natural homemade deodorant.
To make this natural deodorant you will need: coconut oil, cornstarch or arrowroot powder, baking soda, and essential oils (optional).
This post was updated December 2018
Yep I said it! This might sound really weird and I’m only slightly a hippie. But have you ever read the back label of commercial deodorant? My theory is if you can’t pronounce it or it doesn’t look familiar you probably shouldn’t be putting it in or on your body. I have been on a quest, pretty much since getting married, to live a more natural lifestyle. This includes food, body products, and cleaning products. Which has brought me to DIY deodorant.
I was pretty reluctant at first about trying to create my own deodorant, because I’m a pretty smelly person (TMI… it is a deodorant post after all). The most important aspect of this is does it really work?
Is it REALLY effective? O yea! For reals, it is super effective. I work at a gymnastics place in town, where there is no AC and I get so gross and sweaty all the time. When using this DIY deodorant I never stink and I’m one of those people that if I don’t wear deodorant I get really stinky.
Why should you switch to natural deodorant?
Conventional deodorants contain many harmful ingredients I, personally, like to avoid. Artificial fragrances, which have been linked to endocrine disruption. To aluminum which may have a negative impact on our health. One thing though, this deodorant does not contain aluminum which is an antiperspirant. The cornstarch helps reduce sweat, but you will still get a little sweaty.
Conventional deodorants may contain many chemicals like toxic fragrances, phthalates, and parabens (these have been linked to breast cancer), and are all known hormone disrupters. What we put on our skin can be absorbed right into the blood stream (about 60%) without being filtered through the liver and digestive system like the food we put into our body does
The underarm area has very sensitive tissue and many hormone receptors. According to Philip Harvey, Ph.D, many chemicals that are found in deodorant are stored in the fat cells in your armpit (source). If these chemicals are harmful, they could be stored there. One study took samples from women with breast cancer, and 99% of the samples tested positive for at least one type of paraben, and 60% of tissues tested positive for all five parabens (source). That’s crazy.
Aluminum may also be a concern, although there is no has been no proven “direct” link to breast cancer, some studies showing that there is an increase in breast cancer in the area where aluminum containing deodorants would be applied in the underarm area (source).
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DIY Deodorant Tips
- Use a germ fighting essential oil to help fight bacteria in you underarm area (see below for recommendations)
- If you are having a difficult time mixing the ingredients together, just melt the coconut oil and then allow it to harden.
- Keep this stored in a cool dry place.
- I would recommend applying this with your finger tips. I’ve found it works better.
Homemade Deodorant Ingredients
- 1/4 cup baking soda – baking soda is used to block odor.
- 1/4 cup corn starch or arrowroot – helps reduce sweat
- 5-6 Tbs coconut oil – as the base to carry the rest of the ingredients. Coconut oil also has an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal property to is.
- 5- 20 drops Tea Tree oil or other essential oil. I like to use anti-bacterial essential oils which help make you smell pretty, fight odor, and reduce bacteria growth.
How To Make Natural DIY Deodorant
Follow the simple step-by-step tutorial below on how to make your own homemade deodorant.
Step 1:
Gather ingredients. Combine baking soda and corn starch.
Step 2:
Slowly mix in coconut oil and essential oil with a fork or mixer.
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Step 3:
Place in old deodorant stick and place in fridge (coconut oil is liquid when the temp is around 74 degrees). Or you can just put it in a small glass or plastic jar and use your hand to apply, which I think works way better than putting in the old deodorant container, because you can put more on.
Want more DIY natural recipes? Check these out!
- DIY Hairspray is one of my favorites. You will be shocked at the simple ingredients.
- Homemade Hair Gel is freaking amazing. The best soft curls.
- Easy Sugar Scrub is also fabulous way to exfoliate naturally.
- This DIY Foaming Hand Soap is a staple in our house.
- 3 Must-Have Essential Oils for back to school are the staple essential oil blends we always have on had.
DIY Deodorant Recipe
DIY Deodorant With Baking Soda
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup corn starch or arrowroot
- 5-6 Tbs coconut oil
- 5- 20 drops essential oils optional
Instructions
- Combine baking soda and corn starch. Slowly mix in coconut oil and tea tree oil with a fork or mixer. Place in old deodorant stick and place in fridge ( coconut oil is liquid when the temp is around 74 degrees). Or you can just put it in a small glass or plastic jar and use your hand to apply, which I think works way better than putting in the old deodorant container, because you can put more on.
Notes
So not only will this save you money, it will also help you be healthier and more natural!
DIY Deodorant FAQ
Is DIY deodorant effective?
Heck yes! This is seriously the best working, most effective natural deodorant I’ve found.
How long does homemade deodorant last?
This will last at least 6 months to a year without issue.
What essential oils should I use in DIY Deodorant?
I like to choose anti-bacterial (tea tree, germ destroyer, oregeno, eucalyptus, etc) and pretty smelly essential oils like grapefruit. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition always make sure your
How to harden DIY deodorant?
Coconut oil melts at 74 degrees, so if you want to keep it hard (like if you are putting it into a deodorant container) than keep it in the fridge to stay nice and cold.
How to keep homemade deodorant from melting?
Usually during the winter months this would not be a problem as the house never gets warm enough to melt. But during the warmer months, this may become an issue. Like stated above, you can keep this DIY deodorant in the fridge to prevent it from melting.
What is the best natural deodorant?
This one duh. Haha jk. But I love this one. If you need a deodorant for sensitive, try this one that is also really effective.
How to apply homemade deodorant?
Take a small amount into your finger tips and rub into your armpits. Or keep it on a deodorant tube in the fridge and apply like you would regular deodorant.
This deodorant gives me a rash. What do I do?
Okay, I feel ya. After years of using this deodorant I had this same issue, so I made the switch to a baking soda free deodorant and then created another one (cause why not;) ). This deodorant may cause a rash in some people because it could possibly through your ph levels off.
I don’t want to make my own deodorant. What are good store-bought natural deodorants?
I’ve heard really good things about Schmidt’s and Primal Pit (both contain baking soda), and Meow Meow Tweet (no baking soda).
What should I store homemade deodorant in?
There are so many options! I prefer glass containers. These 4 oz mason jars work well. But plastic storage containers or reused and cleaned deodorant tubs also work (if you keep it in the fridge).
Have you ever tried to make your own DIY deodorant? What was your experience?
I put it in the fridge now it solid like a rock. Not able to apply it. I wonder how it would be in the winter when my coconut oil is hard as a rock too…
Yea it will get too solid if it gets too cold. Keep it in a warmer place during the winter like above the refrigerator, and that should help.
If I am using pure 100% tea tree essential oil how many drops should I use? I see some people experience some stinging issues. 4 to 20 drops is quite a range.
Thanks!
The stinging is usually due to the baking soda rather than the essential oils. Start with 10 drops and if you feel like you need more you could always add it.
Is the tea tree oil used only for fragance? Can I use something else? Like lavender? Great recipe, thanks for sharing!
The tea tree oil is for the antibacterial properties. You can definitely substitute lavender!
I have used plain, dry carb soda as a deodorant for years, without any additions to it, and it always works well no matter how hot I get. I keep a bowl of it in the bathroom and dab it on with a soft scrunched up nylon-net ball. For those who are having unpleasant reactions to the mix, perhaps it would be worth trying. If it still causes problems you’ve wasted nothing as carb soda is a cleaner and deodorant that can be used in so many ways in the house.
I love this site. It’s a large favor to us all who are trying to be more natural, and need help dong it. Keep up the good work.
I just made some!! Minus the tea tree oil since I didn’t have any. But I was wondering, if I just keep it in a jar, should I still refrigerate it or only if I put in in a stick?
Nope you don’t have to keep it in the fridge unless its really hot at your house! If you want to make a awesome (seriously my favorite) stick version I have an updated recipe here https://ablossominglife.com/2013/01/homemade-natural-stick-deodorant.html
Hi Amy- I just linked to your blog from Purposley Frugal. I stopped using anti-persperant containing aluminium quite a while ago. I’m happy to see a formula for homemade natural deoderant. one question; where can I find Tea Tree Oil?
Hey Linda thanks for linking! I’m happy your taking the right steps! You can find tea tree oil at Hobby Lobby (possibly other craft stores) and health food stores. I’m pretty sure Walgreens also carries it! This ingredient is totally optional!
I have trouble with my shirts getting stained in the underarms from both sweat and deoderant, I was wondering if this would be better for my clothes? Also just wondering if you have any idea of the cost break down?
My friend has this same issue and since switching she says that she doesn’t have the yellowing anymore! I don’t have the cost breakdown sorry! It depends on the type of coconut oil you use if it is organic or not. I still think it is cheaper then say buying Toms (which doesn’t work for me at all)!
Amy, this looks great! I have a big batch of a natural deodorant I bought up cheap when it was discontinued, and I was worried what I’d use when that ran out. Now I have an answer! I think I’d blend some other natural oils with the tea tree too, though the smell tends to overpower my favourite floral oils!
Ayverie, it could be the tea tree causing the sting, especially if you used pure tea tree. As an Aussie, I love the stuff, but it is powerful! Many of the cheaper tea tree oils are blends, as little as 5%, and won’t sting. Pure tea tree is strong stuff, and I find it does sting irritated skin. I won’t tell you how I discovered this, but let’s just say it involved a VERY sensitive part of my body!
I’ve found some other solid natural deodorants sting after shaving too- the Body Shop one was the absolute worst- agony, plus I came out in a rash that took days to go away!
Glad I could help! Yes tea tree oil can make it stink or even break out. I don’t use very much at all when I use it! I have very sensitive skin! Good to know about the oil blend thing I will keep that in mind next time I buy some! Thanks for sharing!
This causes my skin to sting a bit after shaving. I think it’s the baking soda. It’s also caused me to break out. :/ I suspect it could be from the coconut oil sitting on the skin. I have seen this recipe several places and no one complaining of this! What is going on? It works great I just wish my skin didn’t hate it D:
hmmm that is weird! Have you tried waiting a little while after you shave that way the pores are closed when you put it on? Also you could try to switch to a different oil if you think coconut might be the problem. You can use any oil but just be prepared to stir it every time you go to use it! I hope that helps!!!
Try applying a little cold water or ice after you shave. It should help close the pores up and soothe any inflammation.
Yup, it will sting several hours after I shave! Very strange. I am trying putting it in a different base though.
I have the same problem. It irritates my armpits and hurts the rest of the day. I put it on about 30 minutes after I shower and shave. I think it is the baking soda because I use arrowroot in my homemade bronzing powder and I use coconut oil all over my body as lotion with no irritation problems. I will have to make a batch with just coconut oil & arrowroot to see if that eliminates the irritation. Will give an update later after I try it.
What does the tea tree oil do? Thats the only ingredient I would have to go out and get, so I’m wondering how “optional” is really is. Thanks!
Its very optional! The tea tree oil is an antibacterial, antiviral, and pretty much anti everything haha. It just helps combat bacteria growing in your arm pits. When I first started making this deodorant I did not use the tea tree oil and it still worked great! If you have other types of essential oil you could put it in for a natural scent but this is optional too. Its amazing how well this stuff works without any essential oils!
Could you add some essential oil to it to add a fragrence or would it not mix well with the tea tree oil?
Yes you can! I have added orange before and it smelled great! You have to add enough to cover up the tea tree smell. I’m not the biggest fan of the smell of tea tree oil!
just made a batch today. Love the simplicity of this recipe!
I’m just starting my journey of making things myself and I have to say I am absolutely surprised at the simplicity involved in a lot of every day items such as this. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge 🙂
Victoria B.
Isn’t it great! Easy and healthy for you and the environment! Thanks so much for coming by Victoria glad I could help!
I am allergic to coconut. Do you have any other oil recommendations? Because coconut is used in just about all the “natural” products in the store I have had to go to making my own everything. Any help to substitute would make my life so much easier.
Hmmmm this is a tough one! I bet you could substitute olive oil and then add a tbs or 2 of beeswax. Melt the oil and wax together in a pot or microwave then add the cornstarch and baking soda and then place it in an old deodorant tube and allow to cool. That should work because I make chapstick almost the same way! Hope this helps!
Have you tried the coconut oil? I’m allergic to coconut but not the oil. I just found that out! It has to be high quality coconut oil, though.
i make one with shea butter and bees wax found on crunchy betty webcite
try going to brambleberry.com they have a lot of butters and oils to chose from there may be one there that would work well. bramble berry is a soap making supply company
Okeydoke, thanks! I don’t have any deodorant tubes at all, lol
Ashley L
I was wondering if it needs to be kept in the fridge or you just do that to keep it really firm. I wouldn’t think you would need to since there is no water etc. that would introduce bacteria, but I thought I would check. Btw, Coconut oil is great stuff! I made lotion with it and it’s really good. I am amazed by some of the natural products and how most of us ignore them and use mystery chemical based products instead.
Sarah
Thanks to your comment you reminded me to update this post :). It does not need to be kept in the fridge unless you put it in a old deodorant tube (which I don’t think works quite as well as putting it in a small tupperware container and applying by hand) or your house is very warm like above 74 degrees coconut oil starts to melt. I love coconut oil too! I actually have a whole post on it :)! Thanks for commenting!
Could I use olive oil instead?
Ashley L
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I wouldn’t recommend it, because coconut oil is pretty firm at about 65 degrees and very mild smelling. You probably could use olive oil if you don’t put it in a deodorant tube. It might just have to be a little experiment 🙂