Making our own homemade products is a blast! Today I will share yet another way we are cutting the Walmart cord and choosing a different, better, more prudent way of life.
diyNatural reader Samantha said, “I was extremely, extremely skeptical. I think even a little part of me wanted to be able to come back and say – no it doesn’t work. But, it really did! Like others here, I already feel that I’m sweating less, but as much as I’m excited about not smelling anymore (who wouldn’t be), I’m more excited that I won’t be throwing away shirts that are ruined by deodorant stains. Forget what I save on the deodorant, I will save hundreds of dollars not replacing my clothing!”
Why Homemade?
I like to address this up front to displace the common assumption that homemade products are made simply for the savings… savings is just one handsome fruitage.
In reality, the homemade modus operandi goes far beyond saving a few bucks. More accurately, it seeks to tap into the oft ignored foundations of family togetherness, self reliance, creative exploration, and exercised independence.
It Has To Be Sustainable
If you are a frequent follower of our homemade endeavors you should know that I require homemade products to be easy to make.
For us, difficult recipes requiring a lot of uncommon ingredients is simply not sustainable! So we seek to always adopt solutions that are easy to make and contain common ingredients (whenever possible), yet work extremely well. Today’s recipe will embody that product philosophy more so than any other!
Natural Homemade Deodorant Recipe
To make your own natural homemade deodorant, follow these simple steps:
- Purchase a bottle of 99% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (approximately $1.00/pint) or a bottle of 95% grain ethyl alcohol
- Purchase a small refillable spray bottle (we use the 3oz variety commonly found in the personal product travel section) – approximately $1.00/bottle
- Pour the alcohol into the spray bottle
- Spray under your arms for protection against body odor caused by bacteria
Before you ask…
Does it work? Yes – it works. Yes – it’s that simple. Yes – it’s that inexpensive. Believe it… I have been doing exactly this for about 3 months now and will never go back to expensive, chemical laden, store bought deodorants.
Does it sting/hurt? It depends. It never stings for me because I do not shave my pits. My wife said that using the spray immediately after shaving does sting, but will only last for a second or two and is definitely doable.
Does it smell? It smells like alcohol, but can be supplemented with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. In our experience the scent of the oil will not last and is primarily beneficial to mask the alcohol smell during application.
Will I stink? No… remember question number 1 – it works. The alcohol kills the bacteria that cause the odor.
Will I still sweat? Yes, and you should. Sweating is good for you; it is your body’s way of releasing toxins. If you blocking your sweat pores by using antiperspirant you impede your body’s ability to naturally release those toxins. Impeding this process can also effect the pH balance in your body leaving your body more prone to infection by harmful viruses and bacteria. Using the alcohol allows your body to release the toxins unimpeded, yet still eliminates odors by killing the bacteria outside the body.
How long does it last? Depending on how much you exert yourself, it may last all day, or you may need to reapply. In my experience I have NEVER had to apply it more than twice in one day – once in the morning… and once in the evening.
Will it stain or bleach my clothes? No, not in our experience. I would say as long as you are not dumping copious amounts of alcohol all over your clothing you should be fine.
Is it safe? Using alcohol as deodorant is just as safe as use as an antiseptic on cuts and scrapes. Unless someone has an allergy to alcohol, using it as a deodorant is safe for adults and young adults alike. Some research has shown continued use of isopropyl alcohol on the skin can have adverse effects, as an alternative use a high proof ethyl alcohol instead.
Why haven’t I heard of this before? Because companies cannot make money by marketing it.
Are there other uses for alcohol? Sure… be creative. I always encourage people to decrease their dependence on consumer products, and increase their own ability to “think and live outside the box!”
Did I mention that this will save you money?
C’mon… don’t be afraid – GO TRY IT!
What do you have to lose? Better yet… what do you stand to gain?
DFA is passionately dedicated to helping people break the bondage of debt and work toward financial freedom using biblical principles.
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With the 60+ natural cleaning recipes in the book you will learn how to:
- clean and do laundry without harsh chemicals
- keep floors and other surfaces looking great
- deodorize and freshen the air with essential oils
- disinfect the kitchen and bathroom
- care for your wooden surfaces
- click here to learn more.
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I actually chuckled when I read the recipe. Admittedly, I’m a tad bit afraid of the sweaty pits but you are absolutely correct in that our bodies need to sweat. Maybe trying this now in the winter months will be good time for me. Even if I go half the year, it’s still an improvement, right?
.-= Lydia aka Ms. MoneyChat´s last blog ..5 Benefits of the Great Exodus =-.
I may give that a shot tonight. I just don’t wear deodorant after my shower (at night) so I’ve got at least half a day w/o it. But I don’t like the idea of clogging up pores every day if I don’t have to.
.-= Mrs. Micah´s last blog ..4 Lessons From My First Job – Guest Post =-.
You will have to exercise caution, as with any other personal care product. Still, I think it’s great to deodorize without blocking sweat pores.
And the best thing? No more deodorant stains on tshirts!
.-= Arthi´s last blog ..Tips for a great home. =-.
I’ll have to try this one. As a mom of teen girls I’ve been extremely careful when it comes to having them introduce chemically laden products to their bodies. We only use natural ingredient deodorants and no anti-perspirants. Women who do use anti-perspirants should read about the possible links between anti-perspirants, shaving of the arm pit and breast cancer. The hard part is finding products that actually work well enough. Although we have found a few most of them don’t. I’ll look forward to seeing how this one works
.-= Carmen´s last blog ..Be a SMART ASS and Design Your Best Life! =-.
This is awesome! I use what basically amounts to a salt block. I bought it for 1.50, and it says it can last up to a year with daily use. I’m at six months and haven’t even used a tenth of it.
It’s amazing what you can do (and how much money you can save) when you walk away from all of the chemical stuff and still be just as clean. Baking soda and vinegar are pretty much all we use to clean–it’s cheap and won’t pollute the environment.
love these recipes and tips–keep them coming!
I think I am going to have to try this! I love natural things and of course saving money. Thanks for the post.
.-= Michelle Traudt´s last blog ..Checking Off To-Do’s =-.
Another use for rubbing alcohol (and you may already do this, since you use a lot of the same homemade products as I do), is window cleaner. Put 1 cup of alcohol, 1 cup of water (straight from the tap), and 1 Tbsp ammonia in a spray bottle and voila! Window Cleaner!
Thanks for your great posts. It is so nice to know that others out there are breaking free from all the commercialism that has been pounded into our culture.
Thanks Kate. I was just thinking about an alternative window cleaning solution aside from vinegar and water.
.-= Money Funk´s last blog ..20 Ways to Cut Expenses =-.
Also newspaper works so much better than paper towels. Your windows will look so clear, and you wont have the fibers that come off the paper towels left behind.
Using rubbing alcohol used to be used frequently for ridding of fevers. But there has been much to say against that use.
I have to say that I am wary of using it for an underarm deodorant.
Now cost wise…I think it’s awesome.
I don’t mean to say negative against it, but working in the science/medical field has me analyzing any alternative uses.
.-= Money Funk´s last blog ..20 Ways to Cut Expenses =-.
I tried this over the weekend to see if it would work and it did. I, like, Carmen also have a teen and tween and I’m careful about them and their personal hygene. They currently use Mitchum. I also have used Chorophyll as an internal deoderant in the past and have not had to use an external. Saving money AND the environment? This is FUN!
.-= Tina Fortune´s last blog ..I No Longer Like to Let Others Spend My Money =-.
We stopped using antiperspirant 2 years ago and started using plain baking soda. It costs .50 cents and we use an old makeup powder puff to dust it under the arms. We’re still using the same container of baking soda from 2 years ago! We also noticed that after stopping the use of antiperspirant we stopped sweating as much. I truly think your body sweats more to try and eject that poison from your pores. I hardly ever sweat now. Come to think of it, we use baking soda for alot of things in our house. tub and tile cleaners, toothpaste, shampoo, ant repellant, removing garlic odor from my hands etc..
Awesome advice Heather… baking soda truly is a wonder agent! Interesting concept you raise concerning less sweat… I suppose it is possible. All I know is that both baking soda and alcohol are FAR better options than chemical laden deodorant sticks! Cheers.
so once you use baking soda u dont need to apply deodorant right
Another benefit to letting yourself sweat is that you’ll feel noticeably less hot in summer. We perspire more then for a reason.
Heather,
Save your baking soda for cleaning your chorme faucets & sinks. Use a big stainless steel spoon to rub your hands over. NO garlic or onion smell will be left.
Sheryll & Critters.
Matt,
I love your website! I am crazy into saving money and even crazier about saving the environment. Even though it can appear that they do not go hand in hand your website proves otherwise! I had a baby in the last year and I would sweat all of the time so I need pretty intense deoderant. This works! I put it on in the morning and at night and it’s easy. Keep these tips coming!
Alexandra
I’ll probably be giving this a try. Within the last six years my skin has become so sensitive that there’s only one brand of deodorant that I don’t react to–and I only know of one store that sells it and for some reason they only sell it in the travel size. Like Heather H., I hardly ever sweat, either. However, it’s been so long since I’ve used antiperspirant (20 years) that I don’t know if I’m sweating less now than I did when I used it. If this doesn’t work for me, then I’ll probably try Heather’s baking soda idea. (BTW, the best results I’ve ever gotten washing my hair was using baking soda diluted in water.)
Another alternative to deodorant is a fresh lemon, although it costs quite a bit more than alcohol. You simply take a slice of the lemon & rub it on your underarms. You get a light citrus scent, and it does the same thing by killing bacteria.
i wonder if a lemon juice spray would work? maybe a little easier than cutting a lemon every morning =)
I sweat alot and have been searching for the best natural deoderant. I’ve done the lemon juice and it worked great but for only a couple months. It started to give me a rash. The same with baking soda. So I’ll have to try the alcohol.
It works great for me Amanda, not to keep me from sweating, but to keep me from stinking. Just remember to carry a 2-3oz spritz bottle in your purse so you can reapply as needed. For extra scent, add your favorite essential oil.
So I stumbled on your website yesterday and I used this today and let me preface that I was a clinical deodorant gal before this, but I’ve had it on all day and no smells! I havn’t tried it in a gym setting or on a hot day but so far this works! I didn’t have 99% I only had 70% but it seems to work! My DH was a little skeptical but I think he’ll be a convert and we can save and be green and at the same time! Thanks and keep em coming!
A homemade vodka spray scented with natural essential oils works well too. I’ve used this and Lafe’s brand liquid crystal spray. Both are good, but in the summer I have to reapply it during the day. It took a while for my body to adjust, but I think i actually sweat less now that I’m off the antiperspirant.
I second the vodka recommendation. I have not tried it (I use storebought natural deodorant but am thinking of switching to homemade), but a friend of mine does, and it works for her. Isopropyl alcohol does absorb into the bloodstream through the skin and is, I believe, more dangerous than ingestible types of alcohol. Wish I had some good references for you on this; maybe someone else does.
I “third” the vodka idea, but we use the iso- alcohol, too, since it takes a lot to do harm, as in the factory-workplace exposure. A bit off-topic: our biggest use for isopropyl 50% is to spray-bottle it onto our laminate flooring as the best,safest cleaner. We use microfiber cloths& dish-gloves;MSDS shows that it takes a lot of contact/breathing in to harm you, but it is not smart to expose skin and tissues if you can so easily avoid it (it’s all cumulative thru our lives, right?).The flooring advice found at a large installer’s online site (link? no! sorry: never thought I’d post on this subject!) explained that the pH of most cleaners damages laminate (it’s a plastic-y surface) flooring. We have it in kitchen and whole downstairs.
Isopropyl at 50% or 90% can be used straight; it’s VERY inexpensive. If your floor is large or you can’t get down on the floor to clean quickly without breathing it (we’re old, but limber and strong!), we also rubber-band the cloth onto a swiffer-style mop. Once a month all-over & spot-cleaning. Do not use even “green” cleaners for this chore if the pH is not 7.0 — you could get a test-strip with a wide range of pH values (pond or aquarium store), or realize that all cleaners have a high (most detergents=basic), sometimes even low(acidic) pH.
AND theatre costume pro’s use slightly water-diluted cheap VODKA to spray clothing to seriously freshen-out body odors and it is kind to most fabrics; also I used it neutralize that weird sweet-ish smell from thrift shops without leaving an odor. AND I am about to try this to neutralize toxic moth-ball (Naphthalene) stink…wish me luck.
Refrigerated very-cheap vodka is perfect for tender & flaky pie crust (America’s Test Kitchen’s Jack Bishop)…look here (since Test Kitchen is a subscriber site) http://www.examiner.com/x-4612-Midland-Food-Examiner~y2009m7d7-Flaky-vodka-pie-crust-recipe-for-sweet-or-savory-pies
Thank you so much for the dishwasher detergent recipe…it’s why I came here. I bookmarked your well-designed,well-written site. Thank you again!
I have to say that I love your website, but I went to Wikipedia to read up on Isoprophy alcohol because I had read some comments on other websites about the ingredient. Here is what I found…Like many organic solvents, long term application to the skin can cause defatting. So can I use this spray on my but? haha. I also read that poisoning can occur from ingestion, inhalation, or absorption. I’m sure that it would take a lot, but I’m not sure that I want to use this s a long term solution. I have heard that some essential oils work well, but I’m not sure of the recipe.
LOL! Way too funny! Thanks for the giggle
¿Its safe to use the isopropyl alcohol directly over the body?
¿Isn’t better dilluted with some water?
I have also used an all-natural salt block deodorant for more than 2 years on the same one. If it ever runs out, I’ll give the alcohol idea a try.
I also LOVE making homemade laundry detergent and fabric softener.
Does anyone know if the salt type of deodorant is harmful to those
that have high blood pressure? Was wondering if the salt can get
into the blood stream.
I live in Southern Mississippi and I used this recipe skeptically. I was happily surprised that it worked. I had been using all natural store bought deoderant. This works better. It is less sticky under your arms and also I found that although it doesn’t keep you from sweating, you stay drier because of the alcohol high-evaporation properties. Most importantly, I don’t stink and it’s summer here in Southern Mississippi.
For those worried about the alcohol absorption, I have started using coconut oil and it works really well and it is healthy for you. You can even mix it with baking soda and cornstarch…here is a link to that recipe…
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/02/homemade-all-natural-deodorant.html
But I have just been using the coconut oil alone, sometimes I will apply a baking soda/cornstarch mixture separately with an old make-up brush.
I have found that coconut oil is even used for cooking…so no harm from absorption…
Yes! coconut oil and some baking soda is AMAZING! the coconut oil has antimicrobial properties. this has even worked for my husband who has always been the one with what we call an “enchanting musk.” I rode my bike 8 miles to the climbing gym, climbed hard, rode back and had zero stink. i keep a little coconut oil in a jar, rub a small amount between my fingers, rub on pits, put the extra on my dry elbows, then pat a bit of baking soda on. If i have just shaved, i will skip the baking soda. anyhoo, as you can tell, i’m a huge fan!
I used the coconut oil mixed with cornstarch as well and loved it. I’m going to try the alcohol spritz next. Just have to get a bottle
Cool Amanda, glad you’re trying it… how are things working out so far?
How long does it last? Depending on how much you exert yourself, it may last all day, or you may need to reapply. vize işlemleriIn my experience I have NEVER had to apply it more than twice in one day – once in the morning… and once in the evening.
can u explane details for this post.. thanks
Take one look at the ingredients of your isopropryl alcohol and then look at the spray deodorants list.
How much iso do you use if your spray once or twice on armpits? 1ml?
Putting things in perspective, when you drink tapwater there is bound to be a residue. Driving your car, walking the streets. Eating foods without washing, even after washing.
Do we need to take all of these precautions?
Certainly, it’s apparently safer to use only baking soda, namely to avoid iso fire issues and inhaling it. . The powder brush idea sounds very good (sep 2009 suggestion) and avoids white powder on the floor, but at the moment I am trialling two sprays under each armpit of a lemon oil + iso 70% blend aftershave. After all, iso wipes on skin for wound sterilisation have not seemed to cause any problems…..seemed..
If it comes to soda, iso, or standard polychem formulas, I will take soda, then iso, screw the rest.
I have been experimenting with homemade deodorants too. Coconut oil alone did not work for me. Baking soda kills the bacteria and I had no odor, but after awhile it started stinging and I had red bumps. I tried using vinegar the way you are using the alcohol. That works pretty well, although I sometimes need to reapply. I live in south Louisiana where it is very humid and I sweat alot. The vinegar also kills bacteria and is probably safer than alcohol. The smell of the vinegar goes away when it dries.
Rubbing alcohol will work as a deodorant, but not too good as an anti-perspirant. Baking soda is a good anti-perspirant, and so-so deodorant. So, you just combine the two. Put 1tsp of baking soda in your palm, then toss 1-2tsp of rubbing alcohol into your palm. Rub your hands together to get the baking soda dilted, then spread under your arms. The alcohol will kill germs, and the baking soda will dry to a very light coat that will prevent sweating. If you just use baking soda without any liquid, it can chafe. I have used baking soda with some water to make a thin paste for a year now, and it’s ok, but wears off towards the end of the day. Adding alcohol in will definitely kill germs. And, yes, you need to put this on after your shower in the morning and before bed at night…it works.
I used vodka (mainly because I already had it in the house) and added a few drops of geranium and patchouli essential oils. This recipe is amazing! I still smell like the essentials oils, and my armpits don’t smell like sweat! Even if I wear my trusted deodorant, my armpits always smell by the afternoon! I will use this for a long time–thanks Matt!
I just stumbled across your site and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I am in progress of trying to make everything from scratch and today I am taking my first hand at laundry detergent and I was thinking about dishwashing detergent so I googled it and found this!!! and of course the other night thought about deodorant, I am in awe of your info. Thank you so much!!! I will have lots of projects on my hands now!!!
Go for it Jen!
My hubby and I made the kitchen compost bucket yesterday out of a 27 gallon bucket for cat litter. Terrible thing is it’s almost full LOL. And we’re just out to get some worms but have everything on hand for the worm farm too, which we’ll need to get on soon with the amount of compost I have already LOL. I shared your recipe and links for the homemade toothpaste with a friend and she made it and loves it! I have most all the other ingredients to do the rest and plan to soon. Thanks again!!!
Awesome Jen… go for it!
I have just found this site, I have learned alot already(some stuff I knew before and have forgot and some new stuff) We need sites like this to remind us, that we don’t have to use commercial products all the time, and that we can be green and eco friendly without spending so much on it. We just have to do a little work ourselves.
Wow – I just discovered this website and I am SO EXCITED!! My husband and I just decided we wanted to start making more of our own household products, and here they are – conveniently located on your website! Thank you so much – looking forward to getting started!
What I use is Milk of Magnesium (magnesium hydroxide). Works great, and no stinging ever. You can even drink it, it’s not dangerous any ways. You can find milk of magnesia from any pharmacies. It’s normally used as a laxative. I just dab a little bit into my armpits, let it dry, and I’m ready to go!
I recommend Milk of magnesia!
i use alcohol along with baking soad. works great
Still $$, but same idea – use some of the spray-on body scents from places like Bath & Body Works. They’re primarily alcohol based & have a wide variety of ‘flavors’ to try. The scents remain for a good portion of the day (sometimes all day). Some are also even good for your skin & won’t stain your clothes (as essential oils can).
Have you ever looked into homemade hair gel? It’s really easy to make with whole flax seeds. 1/4 cup seeds with 1 cup water, boil until the water is the consistency of egg whites (5-10 min), then strain out the seeds. Keep in the fridge since there are no preservatives. Awesome for curly hair, too. Each portion of seeds can be kept in the freezer and reused 2-3 times to make more gel. By my math, it works out to about $.10 per batch!
Wow, that’s cool Stormy. Personally I don’t need hair gel. I haven’t used shampoo in over 2 years so my hair has great body and staying power just from the natural oils. I do rinse it and scrub it under the shower every day… just no shampoo. Sounds like it would get to stinkin’ and be gross, but it’s not at all. People with long hair probably couldn’t do this, but it works great for me.
I love it ! I came up with the idea of using alcohol as a natural deodorant over 2 years ago and was just checking the web to see if anyone else was doing it too !.
Yes, it definately works great because it actually KILLS the bacteria.
I keep a small spray bottle in my purse and use it anytime I feel I need it. I also spray alcohol in my shoes and boots everyday after I take them off …to kill the odor causing bacteria. It also works great for disinfecting hands after you use public bathrooms etc.
Good to know that I am not the only one who refuses to be brain washed by the marketers of consumer products.
Ha ha, indeed Marie. I like how you mentioned carrying it with you in your purse because people need to understand that natural deodorants need to be reapplied. Sweating is normal and healthy, but to keep from smelling, just do what Marie and I do… carry it with you and reapply whenever needed (usually not more than a couple times/day.)
I have used Milk of Magnesia with great success. Learned about this on Earth Clinic.
This is so funny because I was on my way somewhere on a hot day and realized (after I had already begun sweating) that I had forgotten to use deodorant. I rummaged through my purse and found scented hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works. I figured it was better than nothing, but it TOTALLY worked! With the primary ingredient alcohol, now I know why!
I recently discovered that my Sauve deodrant began to cause my armpits to smell sour. Really “stinko”
Decided to go back to my alcohol useage which a long time ago my doctor had told me to use and it had always without exception, worked. Only reason i changed back to a commercial one was the lack of a perfume “scentage”.
Have gotten smart again…I’M BACK TO THE ALCOHOL AGAIN.
I am preparing to let Sauve know that the expiration date on bottom was August 12, 1943. at least if I am reading it correctly. BELIVE IT OR NOT!
I just want to tell you that I am someone who has tried lots of alternative deodrants with all natural products in them and have always gotten horrible rashes under my arms…I have very sensitive skin. I even tried pure baking soda as my husband uses and it too gave me a terrible rash so I reverted back to my old standard deodrant but after reading your suggestion I have been using only alcohol and can only find 70% around me at stores but to my surprise it totally works. I have been trying it out for over a week now. I apply it first thing in the morning and do pilates almost daily which does make me sweat while working out and right after my work-out I re-apply and it totally takes away the odor for the remainder of the day. I am really impressed and will never go back to standard deodrant again. Thank you so much for this tip.
I have been using only all-natural (read no parabens, pthlalates, petroleum products, unnamed “fragrance” ingredients, etc.) for several years now. We live in the hot AZ desert. Problem has always been, after a few hours, and while in the cool a/c, I could smell me. Not bad b.o., but those who use that kind of deoderant probably know what I mean. And if I actually got physical and REALLY sweat? Oh my. Let’s just say no one wanted to be too close to me.
So it was with MUCH doubt (my apologies) that I gave this a try this past week. I spray a few spritzes into each armpit immediately after a shower. Let dry, get dressed. That’s it. All day. Sweating and all. And WOW–NO STINK! My husband and kids keep giving me strange looks because they catch me sniffing throughout the day, especially after housework and getting sweaty. I am quite shocked, to be honest. I just shared this info with a dear friend of mine yesterday, and she’s going to give it a try, too.
BTW–I can’t use the more traditional types of anti-perspirants as the end result is always big sore bumps. My body seems to be telling me not to touch that nasty stuff. The alcohol, however, doesn’t even sting after I shave!
Thanks SO much for sharing this “recipe” with the rest of us! I am beyond thrilled that I no longer have to keep buying my $6 all-natural stuff anymore! YAY! I might even get brave soon and try some different essential oils to jazz things up a bit. Who knew deoderant could be so much FUN?!
Awesome Bonny… I’m SO glad to hear positive reports like this telling about how others are benefiting from the information – we love helping!
Wanted to add as a follow-up to my original post…
It is now awfully hot here–we’ve hit 110 a few times now I think. Yes, it’s a DRY heat, but STILL! LOL
Anyway, I’m happy to report, my armpits are stink FREE! However, I have noticed something both icky and interesting, so I wanted to share. If anyone has tried the alcohol but felt that it wasn’t working for them, it could be your CLOTHES and not your PITS!
We’re in the process of moving right now (yes, we know it is not the time of year to do this if one can avoid it, especially here in the desert!), so I’m sweating a LOT more than usual. I was noticing that I was getting stinky, much to my dismay. So I was spritizing on more alcohol and noticed that is wasn’t going away. I did what any normal girl would do and I sniffed. Hmm, the smell wasn’t my underarms, it was in my shirt itself! Makes sense, as my hubby’s shirts still carry the scent of his deoderant (I’m working on him with this natural approach, but I have to take things slow so as to not stress him out!). So why wouldn’t my shirts still carry a lingering scent from my pre-alcohol days, right?
I have found a solution! I now take a shirt that I haven’t worn since my new deoderant usage began and I spritz the armpit areas of the shirt, as well as ME. Problem solved! And no stains or discoloration to report, either!
Just thought I’d share my discoveries with others, in case some were finding similar issues.
Back to the moving and sweating! But hey, at least I am STINK FREE now!!! Thanks again for this fabulous site, I have C&P’d and e-mailed so many things to myself! And the tips that other posters have shared are terrific, too! So thanks for sharing, everyone!!!
Just wanted to update on this and say that I’m still using alcohol only and its still fantastic..I will never go back to standard deodrant again…but wanted to also share that my mother-n-law was using just pure baking soda and said she would have to re-apply it up to four times a day so upon my suggestion of trying alcohol only she has reported to me that she loves this and only applies it once a day and is hooked for life! Thanks again for this great tip.
I have been using a combinations of 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup baking soda and 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil mixed together for deoderant and have been pleased with the result…I am not one who sweats and stinks a lot though…I will have to try this and get my hubby to try it as it would probably be cheaper than what I use
Just yesterday I added about 20 drops of Tea Trea oil to the 3oz alcohol spray bottle to act as an anti-bacterial/anti-fungal. Other oils w/these properties are lavender and eucalyptus. That said, the oils are NOT necessary… I had been using straight alcohol for years and am just trying the oils to see if they’re worth adding. I’m pleased so far.
I like using natural and preservative free prodcuts, but I admit on this one I was skeptical… I have always had more natural odor than most. I would put on deodorant and it would smell rank by mid-day, even with no sweating. When pregnant, I needed that “clinical strength” stuff, and THAT didn’t work. I had to super-wash all my synthetic fabrics on hot or the smell wouldn’t come out. I didn’t for a minute think this would work for me… was I WRONG!
I spritz with vodka in the AM or after my shower, and pat with baking soda with a few drops of essential oil added (for a nice scent) and it lasts ALL DAY. Even under the hot lights of the jewelry store I work in, wearing a polyester jacket. No smell on me – and better yet, no smell to get out of my jackets and shirts! This morning, it was hot and muggy at 5:30AM and I decided to go for a good brisk hour long walk. I didn’t shower or apply my vodka beforehand and I came back expecting to stink – but I didn’t! I was perspiring, but no smell! I’m sold!
It would appear that after all these years, it wasn’t ME that smelled… it was the antiperspirants I was caking on!
Awesome Michelle! I love hearing success stories. God bless.
Love, love, love your site. Found it recently, and you guys do a lot of what I’ve been trying to implement myself, but some of the older ones in my family aren’t willing to go along with me..like pulling teeth. I have one very stubborn hubby that has taken a long while to come around; now he is, slowly but surely.
I didn’t know about the alcohol for deodorant, but one thing I have been doing is when I shower, I bring in a small amount of plain yogurt with active cultures and put this under my arms after I shave, and it has worked wonderfully for controlling body odor. I do use Kiss My Face Liquid rock right now, as well, but it would wear off, and I noticed odor and would have to reapply; this doesn’t happen when I use the yogurt, too. I haven’t tried the yogurt alone, but probably will give it a shot as I run out of the liquid rock:o)
Love your site. I didn’t read all of the posts, and my concern may be answered in an earlier post. But, as I was reading about the alcohol used as deodrant, I was a litle concerned about using alcohol for deodrant long term. Even though it is rubbing alcohol, it still goes into your blood stream and right to your liver just as it does when you drink whisky or any other alcohol. I learned that many years ago when I worked at a print shop. Just my 2 cents worth.
Thanks for your question Nancy. You don’t have to worry about this though, the amount used is so little that it is completely safe.
I love this! I hardly sweat at all and I thought I needed clinical strength deodorant! Now my clothes don’t have pit stains from the nasty white stuff I used to use. I love it and started using it during the summer! So happy, so thankful for DIY Natural!!! Keep the great ideas coming!
Can JDM (Jabs’ Deodorant Method) conquer the mother of all challenges (hot flashes/night sweats in record-breaking Texas heat)? Why, yes. Yes, it can!
LOL, thanks for the humorous and inspiring comment Vicki, it made us smile.
I was extremely, extremely skeptical. I think even a little part of me wanted to be able to come back and say – no it doesn’t work. But, it really did! I have only done this for 2 days and I already feel that I am sweating less as others noticed when they switched. As much as I’m excited about not smelling anymore (who wouldn’t be), I’m more excited that I won’t be throwing away shirts that are ruined by deodorant stains. Forget what I save on the deodorant, I will save hundreds of dollars not replacing my clothing!
Awesome, awesome, awesome Samantha… I like your comment so much I added it to the top of this article as a testimony! You rock, thanks for the feedback.
I tried it today. I started using Tom’s a few months ago and would notice my own odor by about 10am-12pm. This has been working great. I am honestly quite surprised how well it works. Thanks for the tip!
Awesome John, glad you found the site and glad this recipe is working for you… it’s been working for me for years now!
Just found your site a few days ago…I have been making my own facial lotion/cold cream & facial cleanser for a few years & wanted to do more. Did the “Duggars” liquid laundry soap recipe this past weekend using Kirk’s Castille soap instead of Fels-Naphtha (just sounded like nasty stuff) and altho it did not gel up, it still works very well, especially with vinegar in the rinse cycle. I also used your homemade toothpaste recipe and am very pleased with it….already noticing an improvement in my mild gingivitis. Next is dishwasher & dish soap, and may even try the alcohol for deodorant swap…a little scared about that as Houston is still hot as all get-out & I tend to sweat alot. I will be checking your site daily for new ways to save…money & the environment!!!!
Awesome Kathi, way to take the bull by the horns and make a positive change in your life. Remember the deodorant is not an anti-perspirant, so it won’t stop sweating and we shouldn’t try to stop the sweating, it’s one key way our body rids itself of toxins. What the deodorant does do is just that, it helps kill and prevent odor causing bacteria. God bless, let us know how it goes.
About 4 hours ago I decided to look up homemade recipes that really work. Uh.. I have to go to sleep sometime tonight. This site is truly addictive and I can’t stop reading. I can’t believe what I’m reading and if you think about it, we all probably know we don’t have to listen to commercials that say we need to buy this and that. I am convinced that the beauty industry believes we are all fools. Watch a commercial for wrinkles. Using 20 year olds who’ve never had a child, been ill for a bit, gone thru life.. no wonder they don’t have wrinkles. And my goodness we’ve all bought into this idea that we need to buy this for my hair, that for my chin.. on and on. Women you see in the commercials with dazzling beautiful hair… the 20 years olds still. I have been around for 6 decades and the most beautiful person may not have the skin and hair of a 20 year old beauty but from the inside out we can do so much better with our money and time. I will go straight to the library tomorrow, print out every recipe I’ve seen here and hereby begin a new life without commercials. I’ve read that you should never let a child watch the tv until after 2 years of age. I wonder if we should watch it at all sometimes. Our heads have been filled for years with what will make us look better, feel better, live better. All while filling our grocery carts with vile toxins and chemicals filling their wallets and us chasing dreams of looking like something on tv. Forgive me, after reading all the wonderful recipes, comments, etc. I feel I’ve stumbled upon the best website I’ve ever found. My family and friends all have the website now and life is improving as we speak. God bless you both for this site.
Gena, thank you so much for you kind and thoughtful feedback, it means so much to Betsy and me! We’re glad you found us too! God bless.
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