Effective Homemade Deodorant

For years I have heard of the bad effects of commercial deodorant, mostly because of the aluminum and also the other chemicals in it too. I really didn't want to use the store bought kind and I didn't know if the "natural" ones at the store were all that much better and they were expensive. I also didn't want to stink, so I continued to use the cheap deodorant from the store. Then, a couple months ago I came across an easy deodorant recipe and gave it a try. It was easy to make and it works well. By husband was a little reluctant to try it, but he did and he likes it too! I was so excited about it. If you have been wanting to try a natural deodorant, here is your chance. You might have most of these ingredients in your home already!  

Here is what you are going to need:

- 6-8 tablespoons coconut oil (in a solid state, so a little less if the oil is in the melted state)

- 1/4 cup baking soda

- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (organic is best)

- optional essential oil ( I used tea tree oil)
- old deodorant containers or a small bowl with a lid

1. Combine equal parts of baking soda and arrowroot or cornstarch. Slowly add in coconut oil. 

2. Mix until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. 

3. I use old, empty deodorant containers, the small containers work the best. Just put the deodorant mixture into the old container and round off and shape the tops and put on the lid.  You could leave it in a bowl and use your fingers to apply it, but I like to put it in an old deodorant container. In the summer we keep our deodorant in the fridge because of the coconut oil, the mixture will be too soft if left out in our hot house in the summer. The larger deodorant container if left in the fridge will be hard to turn when you need to push more to the top, so you might need to leave the large deodorant out on the counter to let it soften so you can turn it and move it up.  We really like this deodorant recipe.  It works well, it is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant, so you are still going to sweat, which is probably healthier for your body anyways, but you aren't going to smell :)