This Homemade Deodorant using Coconut Oil, is a continuation of my Everything Coconut Oil Series. If I haven’t mentioned it before, I love Coconut Oil! 
Making homemade deodorant has been on my to-do list for quite awhile now. I really wish I had gotten to it sooner! Because it was so easy and it works wonderfully!
After using it for several weeks now, I have grown accustomed on the best way to apply. I read numerous reviews on how it can sometimes bother or irritate the skin. I noticed right away that it did bother my skin a bit, but I realized, it was because, I had just finished showering and shaving. So applying the deodorant to freshly shaved skin, may cause the skin to sting a little.
To combat the sting and irritation, I applied some coconut oil to my underarm first and then applied the homemade deodorant. Since then I haven’t had any irritations! 
Now on how well it works, I have much to say about it!
It works better than store bought deodorant! I have tested it on several occasions, wondering if it would stand up against the hot Florida humidity, and to my surprise and delight it does!
My first test came, when I needed to spend the middle of the day outside mowing. It took me a couple of hours and on normal occasions, I will have to reapply deodorant to combat all the hot-humidity! But with my homemade coconut oil deodorant, I didn’t have to! I was hot and sweaty yes, but there was no bad smell
I am also pleased to know, that my hubby is very happy with his. I added tea tree oil to his batch and will forever add it to mine in the future. It smells so nice on him. I can always smell a fresh clean fragrance when he hugs me. Its way better than the chemical-loaded-store-bought stuff
1/2 Cup of Arrow Root (very similar to corn starch) mixed with 1/3 Cup of Baking Soda.
Five tablespoons of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
I used my little hand held botch, but I think it was not necessary. Using a fork or spoon will work perfectly.
Five to ten drops of an essential oil of your choice. I used Lavender for the first batch. But later used Lavender and Tea Tree for my hubby’s. Tea Tree is a great anti-bacterial and works really well combating bacteria. I loved the combination of the two oils.
Mix everything together…
Use an empty deodorant container. For the most part, I like using the container, but depending on the consistency of the deodorant, it doesn’t always work well. A little goes a long way so I very gently apply my deodorant and will sometimes use my fingers to rub cream/paste further better into my skin. But if you would rather us a jar and apply with your fingers, by all means, that would work too
In just a few minutes I had homemade deodorant! I am forever hooked I hope I inspire you to give it a try and begin letting go of those bad deodorants they sell in the stores. I should have done this a long time ago!
Homemade Coconut Oil Deodorant
1/3 Cup of Baking Soda
1/2 Cup of Arrow Root (I purchased some from Whole Foods, but I have seen it at smaller Health Food stores as well. It is much like cornstarch. If you don’t have arrow root accessible you can substitute with cornstarch. But I would only do that until I could get a hold of some
5 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
Five to Ten Drops of Essential Oils. My favorites so far Tea Tree and Lavender. But feel free to play with all the different essential oils
Once everything has been mixed and stirred together, you can add more coconut oil or more of the dry ingredients to reach a consistency you are happy with. I ended up mixing in more Arrow Root to my first batch, because it was a little too wet in my opinion, but then after using up my deodorant, I found that once I reached the bottom, it had become very dry. So I might just leave as is next time.
I found several deodorant recipes online, but my favorite and inspiration, was at Family Sponge.com
Oh my goodness, this is awesome! I will love trying it.
Love you,
Mom
What a great idea! I will have to get these supplies together and get a batch made up. Anything to get all the harmful stuff out of the house.
Thanks for being the experimenter! I LOVE all your creative ideas. Keep them coming girlfriend!
Love ya,
Amy
I am so grateful for your article. Much obliged.
Does this need to be kept refridgerated be of the coconut oil ?
Hi Niki! No, it doesn’t need to stay refrigerated, only if you want to. It will firm up in the fridge, but I personally like it at room temperature, it is easily applied like a cream. I rub it into my skin with my fingers. The coconut oil isn’t runny mixed with the arrowroot and baking soda. The deodorant lasts well in a jar or in your old deodorant container. I hope that helps
Does it leave an oil mark on your clothes?
Hello Marie! No, as long as you rub the deodorant into your skin. This deodorant is more of a cream/lotion/paste and needs to be rubbed in. As long as you have done that, you wont have any oil marks on your clothing. The coconut oil is not wet in this, it adds a perfect moistening consistency. I actually look forward to putting on my deodorant every day now. Many store bought deodorants have left yellowish stains on my clothing, but I have not had that issue with this recipe. After reading many many other reviews on this recipe, people are in love with it! I think the only drawback a few people have had, was that it would sting their skin, which is what I had noticed when first tried it. But now when I apply coconut oil to my skin first and then apply the deodorant, I don’t have any more irritation. And have had no STAINS
Sorry Mariel, I left out a letter of your name.. Blessings!
I’m intrigued, but does it leave white residue on dark clothing?
Hello Sarah, it can if you do not properly rub it in, or you apply to much. I had some rub off on a short-sleeve black shirt, so the next time I applied it, I was decidedly careful in over using and applying. But that is also the case with non-clear store bought deodorants. I learned the first time and since then have had no problems. And I have to say again, that this deodorant works all day long. I have not had to reapply yet! Thank you for your question Sarah
Yes, it can if you do not rub the deodorant into your skin. I haven’t had much trouble with it and I love wearing black
I use this same recipe that I found elsewhere, but wanted to add that I have been using it for quite sometime after my major brand store bought just stopped working. I have been using it for months and have not yet had it fail me! AWESOME recipee! LOVE it!
I am so glad Rani! It is great to hear some positive feedback so that those who have not yet tried it, can see other’s good reports. I have been using it a year now, and I am still so happy
Thank you Rani!
Is the coconut oil melted? It looks melty, but then again “somebody” in this room may OR may not need new glasses. *cough cough*
I am excited to try this recipe. Armpits, your arch nemesis is gunning for you!
Lol Rhandi-Jayne! It is a tad oily, but the oil is needed so that the baking soda doesn’t irritate the skin. I will even rub a bit of coconut oil before hand into my underarms so that the deodorant absorbs better. I hope it worked for you!
THANK YOU! We are making our own deodorant starting TODAY!
I am glad! Do tell me how you are liking it and if it is working for you! I have been using it almost for a solid year and I am still so happy with it.
I’ve been using a similar recipe with great success but have found some slight skin irritation. I was using equal parts arrowroot to baking soda but I see that you use less baking soda than arrowroot. I’m going to try this to see if it helps. Could you let me know how many tablespoons in a cup? I’m not used to using cup measurements and I want to make sure I get the quantities right. Thanks so much!
I live in the middle east where temperatures sore up to 55 degrees Celsius. I came across this blog & tried it, unsure of whether it would really work. But now I can swear by it! Thank you so much for this
Hello Jui!I am so glad you like it and that it is working! Yes, it gets very hot here in Florida during the Summer, so I understand
I have been using this same recipe for a year and I couldn’t go with out. Blessings to you!
Do you use hard or soft coconut oil? I typically use reactionaries coconut oil for beauty products, but am guessing a harder oil will be best here? Can’t wait to try this!!!
Hi Kelly! I have lately been using Tropical Traditions coconut Oil which is just extra virgin. It is soft in the summer and firmer in the winter. With this recipe it will stay moderately firm in the summertime due to the arrow root/cornstarch. But now I have been using a bowl rather that the deodorant container. Just because I have more control rubbing it into my skin without adding to much excess. So I guess I do not use fractionated. I don’t know much about it and will have to so some research and learn more! Thank you for the question
Blessings!
And by reactionaries, I meant *fractionated!
Hi Kelly! I have been using the coconut oil without the cornstarch or the arrowroot and it works just the the same way! Plus why hide the smell of coconut! But I am going to try it with the arrow root. Let’s see if it works the same way.
Thank you Pattie for your comment
Really looking forward to trying this! Love the thought of making my own deodorant without out any chemicals!
Yayyy I hope you like it Jill!!
I want to try this, have a question do you use a solid coconut oil or can u use a liquid?
Hello Karen, I believe I made my deodorant in the middle of the summer which would mean I used Coconut Oil that was in its liquid state. Right now it being the winter, I would warm up my coconut oil in a pan so that it wouldn’t make it too difficult to combine and stir the ingredients together.
Hi, Would this recipe work well with corn starch instead of arrowroot? I just cant find arrowrrot here in my city.
Thank you!
Hi Aimara! Yes I believe so! I haven’t personally tried it with cornstarch, but arrowroot and cornstarch are basically the same thing. If you try let me know what you think
I thought I was reaching for the lavender oil and in fact I grabbed the lemon oil. It actually works great too and it smells fantastic.
Haha that is great Damaris Meixueiro! I will have to try it