DIY Peppermint Deodorant (that actually works)

52 Homesteading Skills in One Year - Project #12: Homemade peppermint deodorant

I know lots of people who are setting all kinds of amazing goals and aspirations for the New Year. So I thought I'd start off the year with a big bang too. Drum roll, please.

I made homemade peppermint deodorant!

Forget about losing 10 lbs or visiting some exotic locale, this is a New Year's resolution that's easy to keep.

Okay, so maybe I've taken this homesteading thing too far. Maybe making your own deodorant is a little strange and gross. But I'm telling you my armpits have never been happier. (For the record, I never thought I'd be talking about my armpits on this blog.)

There is no aluminum, no parabens, no petroleum products, no synthetic fragrances, no questionable ingredients to worry about. This simple, all-natural homemade concoction actually works and is even better than most of the pricey natural stuff I bought at the store.

I have to admit that I really had to force my husband, Jérémie, to try it. I could hear him in the bathroom fretting about the deodorant staining his good work shirt and yes, there was also some muttering about his crazy wife.

But if you ask him, he will grudgingly admit that my homemade peppermint deodorant is actually pretty good. And as long as you let the coconut oil absorb into your skin for a minute before putting on your shirt, you don't have to worry about oil stains.

I should note that Jérémie has a desk job in IT where the only physical strain involved is walking to the lunchroom or lifting his mug of tea to his mouth.

So I had the pleasure of testing my product in a high perspiration situation. I challenged the kids to a spirited dance-off and worked up some sweat.

I'm pretty sure I won the competition with this awesome move captured forever on camera.

The verdict - Still smelling minty, tea tree oily fresh.

So come on my adventurous friends.

Let's live life on the cutting edge of homesteading and make homemade deodorant.

All-Natural Homemade Peppermint Deodorant

Makes approximately three muffin tin sized deodorants.

1 cup coconut oil (if you don't want to smell like a coconut, use expeller pressed)
Coconut oil is moisturizing and has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

1 tablespoon baking soda 
Baking soda neutralizes any unwanted smells.

¼ cup arrowroot starch
Starch absorbs moisture.

½ tablespoon bentonite clay (US Amazon link) / bentonite clay (Canada Amazon link)
Clay also absorbs moisture.

10 drops tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is anti-fungal and antibacterial.

10 drops peppermint oil
Peppermint oil smells great, but feel free to experiment with your own essential oils.

**For a more luxurious, moisturizing experience try adding shea or cocoa butter. I didn't have any on hand but plan to add this in the future.

Step 1
Melt the coconut oil over low heat.

Step 2
Stir in baking soda, starch, and clay and mix well. Once cool, add the essential oils and stir well. The mixture should be slightly thick.

Step 3
Scoop the mixture into your muffin tins. If you're lucky and have an old deodorant container, you can use this instead.

Note: I store my deodorant in the fridge. If you want to keep your deodorant at room temperature, add a couple of teaspoons of beeswax to this recipe to prevent your deodorant from turning to mush at warmer room temperatures.

Note: This is not an antiperspirant, which stops you from sweating. This is a recipe for deodorant, which absorbs moisture and prevents unwanted odours.

So what do you think? Will you try making your own deodorant?

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