There are some things I worry about, and deodorant happens to be one of them. Yes, you read that right! Such a simple thing, right? Buy it, use it, and don't think about it again until you've run out. For me, there's a little more to it than that.
I spent my childhood and teen years watching my great grandma slowly lose her memory to Alzheimer's. As I got older, I realized that most of the time she had no comprehension that I was even related to her. The disease became more than just a name to me; looking on as a loved one lost her mental connection to her past - even immediate past - was very difficult to bear. While I am not paranoid about it by any means, I try my best to avoid products that contain ingredients which have been linked to Alzheimer's. Deodorants happen to be high on the list, as many of the most popular brands contain aluminum as one of the main ingredients - a product that has been strongly suspected of causing Alzheimer's. Deodorants with aluminum in them are high on my list of items I refuse to purchase.
Well, that should be easy enough to avoid you might think. Just go to the local health food stores and pick up one of the natural selections there! Believe me, I have tried. Jason's, Toms of Maine, the crystal rock, and on and on. Basically I have poured money down the drain, because every time I brought a new one home my husband would tell me that it just didn't work (especially the crystal rock thing). Having been married for 8 years now, I've heard this statement for all my married life! He never asked me to go buy the name brand stuff, as he understood why I was trying to avoid it. It seems we have always been on a hunt for a natural deodorant that will actually work for him! Perhaps by this time you are thinking that I have just been unfortunate to marry an exceptionally smelly man : / Actually, he owns a lawn care company, so there is lots of sweating in the Summer. He is a cabinet maker in the winter time, so that doesn't exactly help either. Poor fellow.
I saw a
recipe for homemade deodorant with lots of rave reviews. I almost didn't make it, because I couldn't imagine something so simple working if all these other deodorants hadn't worked. But in an attempt to try something new I made it one night and asked my husband to try it. Wonder of all wonders, he has since happily reported to me that this stuff works better than even the name brand deodorant you can buy at Wal-mart!! I am extremely happy, and now the only request I am hearing from him is to buy a push up container so he doesn't have to use his fingers to put it on. :-)
So what is in this fantastic deodorant? Here is the simple recipe.
6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred and that is what I used).
Directions
1. Combine equal portions of baking soda and arrowroot powder.
2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken. I used a spoon and it took a little bit before the coconut oil was mixed in well.
3. Scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispenser (I wish I would have saved mine and done this!) or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.
I put it in some essential oil just to add some more scent, but the coconut oil adds a tropical scent all by itself. You can go over to the
Passionate Homemaking blog for more information, and she has even posted a vlog with instructions.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
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Labels: Health, Home and Garden
