I don’t know about you, but I live in the SOUTH, where it is hot and humid for most of the year. A good deodorant can become your best friend. And a natural antiperspirant? Even better. I’m not saying that this will keep you from sweating, but the arrowroot powder does help. The baking soda neutralizes any odor and lasts all day long. Best of all, it’s much more solid at room temp than other homemade deodorants. You don’t need to keep it in the fridge all the time. After many trials and errors, this is the best recipe I’ve come up with for a GOOD, SOLID deodorant that lasts all day.
Melt beeswax and coconut oil in a pan or double boiler over low heat. Whisk in the baking soda and arrowroot powder. Remove pan from heat, and stir in essential oils. Add more if it isn’t fragrant enough for you. Pour into deodorant container. Leave uncapped for 24 hours or until cool. Then cap.
I made this yesterday and immediately after it cooled to a solid I used it. I’m in LOVE!!!! Not only was this easy to make with stuff I had on-hand, it was so quick! Took me around ten mins to gather ingredients, melt, mix and pour – and yes it’s that simple! As far as clean up, I melted my beeswax in a mason jar I use specifically for that purpose. So clean up is simply wiping out, washing and putting away. I don’t worry about it having residue because that’s all I use it for.
As for how it turned out – well I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out just like the recipe said it would. yay! I’ve been working around the house, cleaning, doing laundry, vacuuming and sweeping. I’m sweaty but not stinky!!! :-)
When I run out I’m def making this again.
Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Yay! So glad it turned out well for you!! That makes me so happy! :D
Can I sub in some Palm Kernel Oil (102 degree melting point) in this DIY Deodorant to assist with the melting in room temperature concern? Also would a conditioning/silky emulsifying wax be subbed? Oh and one more addition, Pink Himalayan Salt, for increased absorption and anti-bacterial properties? If so, should it be completely dissolved in the liquids or finely ground in a spice grinder and mixed in shortly before the pour? Thanks
I have no idea. I’ve never actually bought palm kernal oil. I’m also not sure what wax you’re referring to. I personally only use beeswax. The added salt shouldn’t be a problem. Let me know how your experiment turns out!
What kind of beeswax (what form) do you use? the link does not work.
Thanks!!! Kerri
Fixed it! The link should work now!
I read a lot of the comments about the beeswax in the link and a lot of people said it smelled awful as well as it may not truly be organic. Is there another beeswax that you would recommend that is actually organic and also comes in smaller sizes? Maybe like 5 oz instead of 16 oz?
Do you ever have any problems with this homemade deodorant leaving oil stains on your clothing?
No, I never have.
I followed the recipe but substituted arrowroot with tapioca. I realized recently that my shirts are getting stained and my underarm is getting darker. I really like this deodorant but don’t want to ruin my shirts. Any thoughts?
If you remove the beeswax and add bentonite clay instead, it could remedy this problem.
This is my favorite deodorant recipe so I shared a container with my friend. She said her underarms turned a dark reddish/brown underneath and it’s very noticeable and she’s upset about it. We can’t figure out why! I found this comment and hoped it was the answer. You think it is the beeswax? Any reason why? I have used 7 containers of this deodorant and love it but she just started and has that. She’s also worried it won’t go away and nervous. Any thoughts? Advice? Thank you!!!
Some people react more to the beeswax. You can omit the beeswax from the recipe and just put it in a jar and dip your finger in to apply. The beeswax makes it solid. That’s its only purpose. Tell your friend it will go away eventually. Sorry!
Where do you get the plastic roll-up containers?
Hi, thanks for sharing the recipe,i have a question, i haven’t find arrowroot, can i swap it with corn starch? if it is similar.
I wouldn’t recommend it. Also, most cornstarch is GMO. Wouldn’t want that near your body!
I order mine from Amazon.
Thanks for posting a recipe to a solid homemade deodorant. This is my 3rd recipe. The 1st was all coconut oil with arrowroot and baking soda, but no beeswax. It was too soft. 2nd one I tried was with less coconut oil and I added shea,cocoa butter, beeswax along with just arrowroot. That one ended up being too hard to twist. I didn’t quite follow your recipe exactly because I doubled it for 2 sticks and substituted 2 out of 6 T of cocoa butter. I’m also in the South and tend to keep my house around 78 degrees. I currently have all of the sticks in the fridge because I’m too afraid they will melt. We’ll see what happens with this particular recipe. I know you said follow exactly, but I just replaced a tiny part with cocoa butter.
We are making our second batch today of your recipe, which means it is a winner! We love this, and by we I mean my teenage son…he really says it works well. No stink! I love that he is open to making it with me and we add tea tree, cedar and sandalwood to make his manly ;) He uses 1 1/2 of the recipe to make 1 full and 1 travel size for gym at school.
To mine I add tea tree, lavender, sweet lime and ylang ylang for a soft fresh girly smell.
Thanks for a great and simple recipe that works so good.
i don’t use the beeswax, i have very fair/freeckled skin so that would really clog me up – one of the reasons i don’t use commercial deoderant anymore. i don’t mind the regular homemade versions i put on with my fingers and they last more than a day.
i am curious, why you wanted a solid?
I just made my homemade deodorant this afternoon! Mine is very similar to yours, but I do not use baking soda as it seems to be an irritant to many. Mine also calls for shea butter, plus a couple drops of castor oil for a smoother application. I always add 1 vitamin E capsule right at the end…just snip and squeeze it into the ingredients. Seems to help keep it fresh, I believe. I do use a combination of tea tree and lavender oils…
I tested my recipe on some others and this seems to be the one everyone likes. The beeswax really does help keep it solid, especially in the summer.