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I’ve used countless store-bought natural deodorants, and they always leave me stinky and sweaty. In 2011, I decided to make my own homemade deodorant recipe. After a few tweaks, I have created the best natural diy recipe that smells great, works wonders and I’ve used for 13 years now. I’ve shared this recipe with thousands of others— and I can’t wait for you to join my diy deodorant party.
Why I Use Natural Deodorant
Making your own deodorant saves money, is healthier for your body, and actually stops sweating and body odor. Seriously, jump on this bandwagon ASAP!
In 2011, I went on a journey and started making homemade granola bars, natural cold and flu remedies like ginger lemon honey tea, elderberry syrup, homemade lip scrubs, and even went 10 days without shampoo (I don’t recommend that last one).
It was during this time that I began questioning all the things I was putting in and on my body.
Most store-bought deodorants contain chemicals like parabens and aluminum, which I wanted to avoid. Why use those when you can create the best natural deodorants with safer, more effective active ingredients? Even newer products with labels like organic deodorant often include ambiguous ingredients like “fragrance.”
To me, that’s reason enough to ditch commercial deodorants and make my own. I’ve been using the same recipe for over 13 years now, and I absolutely love it and use it every day. The only thing I change up is the essential oils I use, depending on what scent I feel like that season.
The Best Natural Deodorant Recipe
No joke—you can put this deodorant on at 5AM, run a few miles, blend the world’s Best Green Smoothie, throw on some work clothes, work an 8-hour shift and come home smelling good.
At first, my husband and I were baffled by how well this DIY deodorant worked. We would smell each other’s armpits just to brag. Then we decided to push the boundaries and slathered it on before a long day of helping friends move. We sweated all day and still came home smelling good!
It’s important to note that this is not an antiperspirant deodorant. We are meant to sweat, it’s natural. The harmful chemicals in conventional deodorants to stop the body’s natural need to sweat is not something I want to use (and you prob don’t either).
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need four ingredients to make your own all-natural deodorant. Chances are you probably have at least half of them already. You can buy arrowroot powder in the baking section of most natural food stores or online.
- Baking soda: Absorbs moisture to keep you dry and helps neutralize odor (feel free to use less if you’ve got sensitive skin and notice irritation in your underarm area). Opt for aluminum-free baking soda, as it’s gentler and free from unnecessary additives.
- Non-GMO arrowroot powder: A better choice than traditional cornstarch, arrowroot powder helps absorb moisture to keep you dry. You can easily find it in health food stores or online.
- Organic unrefined coconut oil: Provides a moisturizing base and has natural antibacterial properties that help combat odor-causing bacteria. You can find this in most grocery or health food stores.
- Essential oils: Grapefruit oil, tea tree oil, spruce oil, and sweet orange oil are my favorites for their refreshing scents and antibacterial properties. They add fragrance while also helping to fight odor naturally.
How to Make Homemade Deodorant
This DIY deodorant recipe is super quick to whip up with just four ingredients. If you’ve ever wondered how to make deodorant at home, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Just follow these 4 simple steps:
- Mix the arrowroot powder and baking soda together. I use my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer.
- Add the coconut oil and your favorite essential oils, like grapefruit or tea tree, to the mixture. You can adjust the consistency by adding more coconut oil if needed.
- Pour into a small glass jar (I like pint-size mason jar) and store at room temperature. Homemade deodorant will last up to two years in an airtight container.
- Use a popsicle stick to get the deodorant out of the container and transfer to your finger. Make sure you use enough under your arms to keep you “sure” all day long. A pea-size amount is usually good.
Application Tip
If you’d prefer to have it in a traditional “stick form,” melt 1 tbsp of beeswax and 1 tbsp of shea butter right into the recipe. Pour into a reusable deodorant containers and store in refrigerator until solid.
Tips for Switching to Natural Deodorant
- When you initially make the switch, you may experience an itchy rash, red bumps, or increased sweat and odor when transitioning to a homemade deodorant. Don’t let this stop you!
- Drinking plenty of water and dry brushing are two awesome ways to assist your body as it adjusts away from the chemical-laden deodorants you used to use. My #1 recommendation (drumroll, please!) is to detox your armpits. Sounds weird, I know! But it’ll help speed up your body’s adjustment period to this natural homemade deodorant.
- In addition to detoxing your armpits, you may also want to consider detoxing your whole body. All the processed foods we eat contain chemicals that end up affecting the way we smell when we sweat. Try out a seasonal cleanse to get started on a whole-body detox.
- These cleanses are super easy to follow and use only whole, plant-based foods (no expensive supplements!) to gently clear your body of unwanted toxins.
Common Questions
Making your own deodorant at home is easy with just a few simple ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and essential oils. It’s a natural, effective way to stay fresh without any harsh chemicals. Once you gather your ingredients, you’ll be able to whip up a batch quickly and enjoy the benefits of homemade, toxin-free deodorant.
To extend the effectiveness of homemade deodorant, apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin. Storing it in a cool, dry place will prevent melting or spoilage, while absorbent ingredients like arrowroot powder can help increase its longevity by controlling moisture and odor.
Yes, coconut oil is a key ingredient in my homemade deodorant recipe. Its natural antibacterial properties help fight odor while keeping your skin moisturized.
Leave a rating and review to let me know how this diy deodorant recipe works for you! As you can tell by the over 200+ reviews so far, this is a recipe you must try.
Best Homemade Deodorant
Ingredients
- ½ cup baking soda use 1/4 cup if have sensitive skin
- ½ cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 5 tbsp coconut oil melted or softened
- 20 drops essential oil grapefruit, tea tree oil, etc
Instructions
- Mix baking soda and arrowroot together.
- Add the coconut oil and essential oils. Mix well.
- Pour into a clean, air-tight jar and store at room temperature.
- Use a popsicle stick to get the deodorant out of the container and transfer to your finger. Use a pea-sized amount to apply under your arms.
Equipment
Notes
- Consistency: This deodorant changes consistency depending on the temperature. In cold climates, it can be pretty hard to get out. If that’s the case for you, I recommend storing it by the shower and allowing the steam to warm it before applying. If you live in a warm climate and the deodorant is too liquidy, store it in a cool cupboard to thicken it up.
- Technique: For the past couple of years, I stopped using the popsicle stick and actually just use my fingers and dip them in the jar.
I saw this recipe and thought I had to try it. I am trying to be more self sufficient and friendly to my body. Anyway, I asked my husband to pick up coconut oil while he was out and he came home with “liquid coconut oil” do you know if that would still work or not, I suppose I could go exchange the ingredients or save the liquid oil for other thing but before I do, I would like to know. Thanks:)
Yira, I don’t think liquid coconut oil will work for this recipe since you do need the end result to be a solid for spreading on your underarms. You could keep the liquid coconut oil to use in smoothies and for cooking but you will need the other type for making deodorant. 🙂
I’m thinking it was very warm out if it was liquid and would get solid if put in fridge. I melt mine first so it mixes well, then freeze.
is there any way to dissolve the baking soda so it doesn’t feel so grainy?
Hey Raquel! Because this deodorant is made with simple, natural ingredients, it’s going to be a slight bit grainy. You can make sure the coconut oil is in a completely liquid state before you add it to the dry ingredients (and mix very well) and that should help.
thanks! will try that next time… my coconut oil was definitely room temperature… next time I’ll do it with fully liquid… but honestly, its wonderful. I used to have to take a quick shower sometimes at end of day (even after taking one in morning) to “freshen up”… and i have literally NO SMELL AT ALL now, even the next morning when i take my shower! thanks a million!
Yay! I agree, this stuff is THE BEST.
I LOVE IT! As I am definitely trying to learn how to make my “toiletries”, cleaning solutions, etc…this is a very simple & effective recipe. I found that I need to use a little less baking soda because it (baking soda) tend to irritate me, especially after shaving, even if I wait a few hours. It definitely works better & lasts longer then the 2 deodorants I’ve been using for 15 yrs because I have sensitive skin. The only problem, if that’s what you wanna call it, is it doesn’t completely rub in so I find little white stuff on my floors throughout the day. Well, when it drops on my carpet I just let it act as part of my homemade carpet freshener/cleaner. Also, can I substitute another oil instead of using coconut oil? Thank you & God bless
So glad you love it, Angela! I suggest maybe using slightly less, then it may stay better and you won’t find little pieces on your floors. And I think coconut oil is the best option, since it’s got such awesome antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. 🙂
I love this. I’ve been using this for 2 years and it’s better than any shop-bought deoderant. I can go for 24 hours without smelling. The only thing is in summer, it’s hard to transport because it turns into liquid. But that’s a minor issue 🙂
Agree!! I love this deodorant. 🙂
Melt a little organic beeswax in with the coconut oil. This will help keep it at a more solid state during the warmer weather. 🙂
This is so interesting! Such a simple solution—it’s crazy homemade deodorant doesn’t have to be more complex than this. One question I have is about applying it with your hands. Does it wash off your hands easily? I know when I’ve gotten store-bought deodorant on my hands before, it leaves a residue that isn’t easy to wash off. I’m sure this isn’t the same, but I’m curious if you have to wash your hands after applying it.
Hey, Anthony! That’s a great question. I apply it with my hands and just run them under a little water to rinse off the rest. There’s no residue because the deodorant has all natural ingredients and no nasty chemicals. And really, if you didn’t want to rinse your hands, you could rub the remainder you don’t use onto your arms or legs because the coconut oil is moisturizing. 🙂
Will this deodorant clog the pores or is it gentle enough
Hey Sara, because it’s made with a few simple and natural ingredients, it should not clog your pores. I’ve used it for many years and haven’t had any issues with that. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to start by using less baking soda as it may cause your skin to sting a little. If that’s the only hesitation you have, I definitely encourage you to give it a try!
I love this! I use this recipe to make my own deodorant for about a year, experimented with different combination of essential oils. My favourite is tea tree, neroli and and grapefruit. Keeps me fresh for a whole day. Highly recommended!
So glad you love this! And that sounds like a great essential oil combo. 🙂
I have been using coconut oil, tea tree oil & rosemary oil. Easy to make & seems to work for me.
Sounds like you found something that works great for you, Anthony! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I am so very impressed by this! Have tried many natural store bought options but none did the trick. This homemade recipe is so simple and has my pits smelling and feeling better than ever. Will never go back. Excited to make more for my family to try!
That’s awesome, Neve! I feel the same, I tried this deodorant years ago and will never go back. So glad this worked for you!
Thanks for this amazing recipe that actually works well. I have critiqued it slightly. I am very grateful for the base ingredients. I highly recommend this one!
Thank you for your feedback and for rating it, Barnetta!
This seems a great substance but the coconut oil amount is too low to make a cream. What should consistency be? Thanks
Maggie, it should be a paste-like consistency. When you’re making it, if you feel that it’s not quite there, definitely add more coconut oil to reach your desired consistency.
Can you use more arrowroot powder instead of baking soda?
Tyler, we include baking soda in this deodorant for its antibacterial properties. If the baking soda is irritating to your skin, try using diatomaceous earth. Use a 1:1 ratio of DE to baking soda. You may want to use a little more coconut oil in order to get it to a good consistency. Start with the amount called for and add from there.
Has anyone tried this with diatomaceous earth instead of baking soda? I looooove this recipe but baking soda burns my left armpit. Only the left one lol. Could I replace it with diatomaceous earth? Same ratio?
Laura, that’s strange it’s only one side! I’ve never tried making this with DE but you certainly can. It should be less irritating for sensitive skin. Use a 1:1 ratio but you may want to add a little more coconut oil. Start with the amount in the recipe and add more if you need to in order to get a paste-like consistency that works for spreading.
How do you remove the deodorant? I scrub and scrub in the shower with soap and my pits still smell later, I think it’s because the oil is still in my pores or something? How do you all remove this deodorant from your skin before applying it again?
Hi Julie! I have no problems at all removing this deodorant from my underarms when I shower. I’m not sure what’s happening with your situation. Maybe use a little bit less? Or, have the coconut oil and dry ingredients in your container separated? That can happen if you live in a warmer climate. Make sure it’s all mixed together well before applying and see if that helps.
When I first tried this a few years ago, it didn’t seem to cover my body odour so I gave up on it. I ran into this again and I wanted to give it another try and I’m glad I did! On most days it works pretty well as long as I don’t perspire too much. The main reason I want to use a DYI deodorant is because the store bought ones are filled with metals and I think it’s the reason for my dark underarms. I hope with long-term use the darkness will fade away.
HC, I’m so glad you decided to try it again! I love this deodorant and after using it for about 6 months, I found that I sweat less and the odor was not as strong, as well. Give it a little time for your body to get used to a more natural approach, as well as expel the unnatural ingredients that most store-bought deodorants have in them (and I’m betting the darkness will eventually fade). Another thing I do, especially when I first started using this deodorant, was to use a bentonite clay mask on my underarms about once a week. I felt like that really helped.
Great deodorant recipe! I switched to DIY deo last year and use a recipe similar to this! I love it, don’t think I will ever go back! I can’t wait to check out more of your blog! Thanks!
Hi Dianne! It is a great recipe, isn’t it?! Thanks for rating it! And thanks for checking out our blog, hope you find more stuff you love here!