It was just the other day I was reading through Consumerist.com when I can across an article about deodorant. The article gave a link to where I could make my own deodorant. It was on a personal finance website even!
That started me thinking about some of the things I have done when I got out of the shower to find my deodorant stick was empty. Then I reached under the sick to find no backup deodorant stick. I was left to find an alternative. Some of those alternatives were my wife’s deodorant, my after shave, or something just get me by until I got to the store.
I started thinking about what other people have used as substitution for deodorant. So I started asking around. Some of the answers, I got were quite interesting, Some of the things I was told surprised me. I would never of have thought to use or would use to stop body odor akd BO.
In the interest of education and amusement, I have listed some of the things people have told me they have used, when their traditional deodorant was not available. Mind you many of my contributor made it very clear to me and even promise not to give out any names. Considering what some of them sold me, I would not want my name used either. They are:
- Rubbing vinegar in the arm pits
- Baking Soda
- Honey
- Fabreeze
- Bath Salts
- Plan old soap
- Glade
- Perfume
- Cotton balls
- Corn Starch
- Flower pedals
- Grass cuttings
Granted some of this list I would not personally use. Other may work in a pinch. Still when it comes time for me to buy deodorant, my jaw tightens over the price. Think about it! Most deodorants contain a few chemical with perfume, then they make you pay usually 10 times than the cost of the ingredients. For the sake of sociability I usually head over to Wal Mart and purchase a double pack of my favorite deodorant.
While doing the research for today’s post, I ran across that personal website called SubstainablePersonalFinance.com. I took a closer look at a way to make my own personal batch of deodorant.
The ingredient list was a box of baking soda, a package of arrowroot or cornstarch, and a bottle of organic coconut oil (organic canola makes a suitable stand-in). Essential oils are optional and not necessary. They recommend use of oils like lavender, lemon, and tea tree oil with anti-bacterial qualities.
Mix together a half-part* baking soda with a part arrowroot (or cornstarch). The dry mix should be thoroughly combined. If you need an extra-strength deodorant, mix equal parts of the baking soda and cornstarch (be careful when working-out with it, in large amounts baking soda can slightly bleachclothes). Add a half-part coconut oil (or canola oil) to the mix, stirring it in thoroughly.“
