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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.
Table of Contents
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 natural cold and flu remedies like ginger lemon honey tea, elderberry syrup, diy 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.
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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.
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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.
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 300+ 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 tablespoon coconut oil, unrefined melted or softened
- 20 drop 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.
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 have used this recipe a few times now and like it better than those with more oil and less of the powdery ingredients- this one doesn’t stain my clothes. This winter, however, is my first winter using homemade deodorant and the fact that coconut oil “freezes” under cooler temperatures became a real problem. I never remembered to bring the jar into the shower to soften (I don’t know if it would have softened enough…we keep our house at an energy-saving 62 degrees in the winter), so I was left with a clumpy mess that would drop out of my armpits onto the floor even after trying to soften it into my hands! But then it occurred to me that mixing in a different oil, one that is liquid at cooler temperatures, might do the trick. So I humbly submit my cold-weather alteration- instead of 5T coconut oil, use 3T coconut oil and 2T sweet almond oil. Stays spreadable when it’s cold!
Stephanie, you could get empty deodorant sticks and fill them. It goes on just like store bought!
Hey Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your substitutions!! SO happy you were able to make it work for you.
Also, what Shirl said too is a great way to use it as a regular deodorant stick!
I make this deodorant as well. I use the arrowroot instead of cornstarch. Cornstarch irritated me. I usually use a citrus essential oil.but I do have a problem with getting a light green stain on my bra. Was curious what others thought. Is it the citrus essential oil or something else? At this point I just deal with it because I do like the results of the deodorant.
Hey Laura,
I think you are getting a green stain from the essential oil you are using. We had someone comment in that they were getting an orange stain from using the orange essential oil. Once they switched the staining went away. If your oils have any color to them at all there is a chance they will stain.
Hope that helps!
Is this antiperspirant also?
Hi Marie,
The arrow root in this recipe helps with antiperspirant but I would not say this is an antiperspirant deodorant like what you use in the store. This recipe is to mainly help with keeping you order free!
Hope you give it a try!
I used tea tree oil. This deodorant really works!! Thank you.
Hey Pam,
I am so glad that you love this recipe! Tea tree oil smells amazing! I will have to try that scent next time I make some 🙂
I always use tea tree oil, as it is such a great way to kill the bacteria that causes the odor. I add other essential oils to it to create the scent that I ultimately like.
Hey Kimberly,
Oh yes, tea tree is the favorite around here! SO happy that you have found the perfect blend that you love 🙂
Hey is 1/2 c mean half a cup? Thanks 🙂
Hey Lara,
Yes, 1/2 c means half a cup! 🙂
I am hooked on my natural deodorant now! I’m a runner too, and sweat a lot. In the summer my deodorant was too soft, so I have added a tablespoon of beeswax pastilles to the recipe. I always put in tea tree oil for antibacterial properties (and I like the smell), but have experimented with other oils for scent. I added frankincense today. One thing I noticed though — orange oil smelled awesome, but stained the armpits of a white shirt, so now I am careful with the oils that have stronger colors. As for rash, if you shave your armpits, you might try not putting deodorant on for a few hours after you shave them. I epilady my armpits (it’s not so bad after the first time, and they look and feel GREAT — I only do them every week or 10 days now), and I do it at night, and then soothe them with witch hazel, and don’t use deodorant until the next morning.
Hey Sophie,
SO happy that a fellow running loves this deodorant too!!! Thank you for sharing with us and how it works best for you 🙂
This recipe is the best ever I have spend a fortune on store deodorant because I sweat a lot so I have to get the most expensive ones.In my country we have the organic coconut oil and baking soda and corn starch is not expensive,iam never going back to buy those chemicals deodorants again.The baking soda does give me rash but it will go away after awhile.Iam totally ordour free.Thank you so much for your recipe.
Hey Agen,
I am so glad you found our recipe so you could ditch the store bought deodorant and not only save money but give your body some chemical free products!
So I love the idea of this and I made some and I get no b.o. smell, but I find it gets damp under my arms (pit stains and all) without my store-bought deodorant. It makes me feel gross. Is there an ingredient I need to increase or add to keep my underarms feeling dry too? I really don’t want to go back to that 100 ingredients I can’t even pronounce store-bought stuff!! Please HELP!!
Hey Jenelle,
I am so glad that you are enjoying how fresh and clean our deodorant makes you smell! You can try adding some extra arrow root in your deodorant because that ingredient is suppose to absorb moisture.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks! I’ll definitely try this!
I haven’t made it yet, but I’m looking forward to trying it. I have fibromyalgia and am constantly sweating. I have tried every store bought deodorant for women and men and I still have no. Can’t wait to make ur deodorant and use it. Thx for sharing
Hey Bonny,
I have a feeling you will love the DIY deodorant and I hope that it gives you what you are looking for 🙂
I was skeptical that this would actually work.. It DOES work 🙂 and it smells so good! Will never go back to store bought deodorant again! Thanks for the great recipe. I will spread the word xx
Yay Kim!!!
It really is THAT good and so happy that you want to share it with others.
Happy dance time!!!
Magical! Got rashes under the armpit from other recipes.
this one is simple and works wonders. I am a man get rather smelly if not using deodorant.
Strongly recommend.
I’m off to try a batch with scent free coconut oil, so the ESOs can get some stage time too.
Hey Emil,
SO happy to hear that our recipe did not give you any rashes. It is really the best homemade deodorant I have ever tried and I am glad it is working great for you as well. 🙂
So my armpits feel
Slightly raw or irritated by this but I can’t figure out why. I have never used natural deodorant before could this be impacting the affect?
Hey Xan,
I am so sorry to hear that. My only guess would be if you have an allergic reaction to the baking soda in the ingredients? That would be the only thing that could cause some sort of reaction. I would try applying just coconut oil to it and see if that helps with the irritation.
Hope that helps!
I rarely write reviews, but I feel called to for this recipe. This stuff is awesome! I will never go back to plastic containers of deodorant. I just used store-brand baking soda and cornstarch and still turned out great. I did cut the baking soda just a bit (just eye-balled it) and ended up adding a bit more coconut oil to get the desired consistency. I used my food processor.
I used eucalyptus oil, and the deodorant smells so good. I don’t smell the eucalyptus later in the day, but I also don’t smell body odor – just neutral! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!
Thanks Becca,
So happy you enjoyed this recipe and made a rawkin deodorant for yourself!
Enjoy smelling fresh and clean 🙂
Hi someone asked this bit I can’t find a reply sorry…. can you use only arrowroot with coconut oil or is the baking soda really important…. I find it slightly irritating. Thanks!
Hey Jasmine,
You can totally leave out the baking soda if you need to.
Hope you enjoy this!
I started making my own deodorant at home and it works so much better. I’m using refillable roll-on bottles like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752WGWH3/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kayluisa-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0752WGWH3&linkId=fd8050a46b0b664ac605466518fda2c5. I also waste less plastic doing this way.
Hey Luisa,
Yay!!! That is so fantastic that you are now making your own deodorant and using refillable bottles. Thank you so much for sharing those with us.
Works for me. So fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Hey Georgia,
I am so happy that you love our homemade deodorant!
Also…I saw in the comments that people had been using plastic deodorant dispensers for this, but I had read that sometimes essential oils can cause the plastic to degrade and emit toxins so I use paper cupcake cases and store in a small metal soap tin.
I don’t know if this is true but worth giving thought to.
Thank you! I tried this recipe and it is very effective for my pre-teen daughter. I used cornstarch powder. When I ran out of my first batch, I used baking soda, cornstarch and Sunflower oil no essential oil. It still worked for her. Now the third batch is baking soda, cornstarch, sunflower oil and few drops of lavender essential oil. I will see how it goes. My problem is the discoloration. Any idea how can I fix it? Maybe she is sensitive to baking soda but so far it is the only formulation that works her body odor. I have tried many commercial all natural products but did not work for her.
This is great. I started doing it a few years ago and you can add your own blend of essential oils to make your own fragrance.
I stopped wearing deodorant about 6 years ago as I thought it was a con and unnecessary but over the summer I sometimes felt a bit stinky so I tried this and it does the trick.
I also melt some coconut oil on its own and add essential oils, put it in paper cupcake cases and keep in the fridge. I use these as moisturizers and they smell amazing.
Lush sell a similar massage bar and it’s pricey. Buying essential oils is initially dearer but you can pop a few drops in the bath as well so you get a lot more out of them. I also put a drop or two into my shampoo/conditioner as I apply it for more natural smelling hair.
Can I make this without arrow root?
Hey Victoria,
Yes you can use cornstarch instead of arrowroot if you prefer.
Excited for you to give it a try!
Is it possible to make this using all arrowroot powder? I’ve read where baking soda can cause irritation and/or stains on clothing.
Thanks for the recipe!
Never mind! I saw the answer in an earlier post!
Thanks!!
Hey Allyson,
Glad you found your answer! Super excited for you to make this 🙂