Back by popular demand…well, okay, only one person asked about this, but I thought perhaps it was time to repost about the homemade coconut oil deodorant I made previously.  And I can’t recall if I came back to give an update on how it worked or not—but yeah, it does work.  And it’s economical, too, as this recipe lasted months.  No chemicals, no preservatives (other than the salt in the baking soda)…and you’re not adding to the trash pile because you’re not throwing away another stupid plastic container…and you’re not exposing yourself to aluminum….so a win-win.

Here it is:

5-6 TBSP Coconut Oil (more in winter, less in summer)
1/4 cup cornstarch OR arrowroot powder (if you have very sensitive skin)
1/4 cup baking soda
4-6 drops essential oil (optional-tea tree or lavender would be my pick)

What you’ll do:

1. Mix the cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) and baking soda together in a small bowl with a spoon.

2. Melt or soften the coconut oil in a double boiler (glass bowl over a boiling pot of water) or set the coconut oil outside for a few minutes (it melts at 76 degrees). The original recipe does not say to melt the coconut oil but I find it makes mixing and pouring so much easier.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the coconut oil and mix with a spoon until well combined.

4. Add essential oils, if you are using them, and mix well.

5. You can pour or scoop this into your old deodorant container once it’s all combined. Let it sit until firm again. If you are very impatient (like me) you can stick it in the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed up the cooling process.

Note: If you use an old deodorant tube you will most likely need to store it in the refrigerator because coconut oil melts at 76 degrees. Also, ONLY roll up as much as you need. If you roll up too much it will fall out onto the floor (ahem-I know this to be true). My PREFERRED method for using THIS deodorant is to just keep it in a glass container with a lid in my bathroom and apply it with my fingers. Yes, my fingers. It’s really not as strange as it sounds once you try it. 🙂 – See more at: http://blog.lexienaturals.com/2012/08/simple-homemade-deodorant.html#sthash.9wx8BoIC.dpuf

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Okay, my own recipe differs from this in that I don’t use cornstarch or arrowroot–two things I can’t have because of the gluten intolerance.   I also use Bob’s Red Mill baking soda because it is mined without using chemicals.

I mix the coconut oil and baking soda in equal parts–so I would mix 1/4 c. of oil + 1/4 c. of baking soda.

I don’t add the essential oil for two reasons– One is that it is expensive, and two – I still can’t tolerate fragrances.  And I don’t think it is a necessity….the coconut has a nice aroma to it, anyway, so it’s more overkill, to me.  It’s really just a personal choice in what you prefer.

I use a glass container to melt the coconut oil (I put the oil in the jar, and then put it on the coffee maker’s hotplate and let it melt that way).  Then I add the baking soda.  Put it in the refrigerator to solidify…and voila!  Deodorant that you can eat!  Ha.