For those who want to be Sure – Naturally!

Q. Why do I keep my deodorant in the fridge?  
A. Because it keeps it nice and hard. 

Q. Why do make your own deodorant?
A. Have you read the label on yours lately? 

 Most of my make-it-from-scratch escapades start with reading a label. The idea of all the harsh and harmful chemicals in store bought deodorants have always bothered me, and the natural ones have never worked for me. I have been looking for a natural solution for years. This post contains the answers to all the questions I’ve had on the subject.

Now, let me ask you a question…

Do you know what’s in the deodorant you use every day? 

“…nearly all commercial deodorants contain aluminum salts, usually aluminum chlorohydrate. Manufacturers like aluminum because it effectively suppresses perspiration but the metal has a dark side once it makes its way into our body. Aluminum toxicity It has been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other health issues. It is especially important for women to take thought to the harmful aluminum materials in deodorant as it has been linked to breast cancer, being that the breast tissue extends up into the armpits.”
Passionate Homemaking, Homemade Deodorant

Frankly, it bothers me to be slathering something on my skin that contains the warnings –

Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. 

Ask a doctor before use if you have kidney disease.

Do not use on broken skin.

For external use only.

Stop use if rash or irritation occurs.

(all directly quoted from a name brand deodorant bottle)
It scared me, but I still used it, ’cause I didn’t have any other options. I tried to use it lest frequently…with awkward results. 

Actual conversation between Jesse and his mommy:

J: Mom – me smell somethin’
M: I know
J: Mom – you needa take a shower
M: I know

 True confessions, people.

But all that is behind me now.
I watched the video Lindsey made of her mixing up a batch of homemade deodorant and realized this was so simple it was worth a try. And, wonder of wonders, it called for 3 simple ingredients that I use in my kitchen every day. Talk about natural! You could eat it, if you wanted, and wouldn’t have to call Poison Control! 🙂

It only took minutes – I mixed together, in the proportions Lindsey gives, Baking Soda, Arrowroot Powder (you can also use cornstarch), and Coconut Oil. Jesse very willingly helped measure ingredients. I got a used, half empty deodorant container, scooped the contents into the trash, and ran it under hot water till all the chemicals had melted out. Then I dried it out and spooned and squished my new natural deodorant into the container.

Now, The coconut oil is soft at room temperature. Lindsey puts hers in a little jar in the bathroom and smears it on with her fingertips. I wanted the convenience of the turn-dial deodorant stick. I put my concoction into the fridge to harden. After it hardened, I tried keeping it in the bathroom, but as that is the warmest room of the house, the deodorant got too soft (like butter) and was a bit messy. 🙂 So, I keep it in the fridge. Not a huge inconvenience – and I’m used to toiletries being half-frozen from my days on the homestead. 🙂

The best part about it, is that it works. (I tried it for two weeks before blogging about it.) I get 24 hour protection. It looks and acts and preforms just like the old stuff, and smells mildly of coconut, instead of chemicals and scents that burned my olfactory nerves (and who-knows what else in my skin and lymph nodes). I’m so excited, I’m telling everyone. I know, I’m weird, but this is too good not to share.

In fact, I’m so excited about this, I want to help you experience this! If you want to try homemade deodorant, here’s a couple things you can do…
1. find the ingredients yourself at the local health food store
2. come on over to my house and buy some coconut oil off me (I’m buying it in bulk now to save on shipping – I’m expecting my order from Mountain Rose Herbs any day!)
3. Save your deodorant bottles and I’ll refill them for you with natural deodorant for just $4 – that’s half the price you’d pay for the cheapest natural deodorants on the market. I’ve already done this for one friend and she’s trying it out this week.

My next goal is to convince my husband to try the stick I made for him. He, he. 🙂

What do you think? Wanna be weird with me?