DIY Deodorant with Bentonite Clay & Coconut Oil

This is how I imagine myself:  {zombie walk, grunts} MUST MAKE STUFF BETTER!!

So, lately (in my endless quest to make stuff better) I've been using a lot of clay. I make things from clay so I thought "Why not put clay on my pits?"

If we're going to be honest, I was actually thinking about bathing in clay (which is an actual thing,
people), but that's when it occurred to me that my original DIY deodorant doesn't exactly make all the sweat go away-- just the smell.  And then this this thought just popped into my head: "OMG. I bet clay would make the sweat go away!" I'm not going to say the obvious because I'm humble, but if you want to comment on how brilliant I am then there is a comment section below. {bats eyes humbly}

Here is some good information about bentonite clay if you're interested in reading about it: Bentonite Clay Info.

Anyways, so I decided to toss a little bit of clay in my existing deodorant recipe. It was AWESOME.
DIY Deodorant Recipe

• 1 Pint Size Mason Jar
• 1 plastic measuring spoon (TBSP)
• 1 plastic utensil for stirring 
• (If you're wondering why I'm being crazy about plastic, it's because bentonite clay has negative ions that absorbed stuff in metal. Unless you want metallic armpits-- don't use metal anything on your clay). 

• 2 TBSP Bentonite Clay (I use Redmond Trading Company Clay )
• 4 TBSP Arrowroot powder
• 4 TBSP Baking Soda
• 6 TBSP Coconut Oil
• Optional: 10 drops of Essential Oil such as Purification, Lavender, or Joy (Find Quality Essential Oils)

I have heard the cry of the people! If you're really sensitive to baking soda, you can change the ratio from equal parts arrowroot and baking soda to 6 TBSP arrowroot and 2 TBSP baking soda. This dimities that gritty feeling, but can lower the power of the baking soda (aka: odor absorption). 

See. PLASTIC knife.

If your coconut oil is solid, then melt it using a double boiling method. You can use a bowl and put it over a pot of simmering water and the heat of the steam will gently melt the solid oil without destroying the structure of the oil. Please, for the love of God and your lymph nodes, don't use the microwave!! 

Put all the powder into a pint size jar. Add the liquid oil to the clay in two batches and stir with something plastic or glass until it's completely mixed. The oil is hot so it'll be a bit soupy. Let it cool to room temperature and it will firm up. You can throw it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes, too, if you're in a rush, but the texture will ultimately change depending on the temperature inside your house.

Now its ready! You can rub that bad boy all over your pits and enjoy the sweet, sweet life of sweat-less and stink-less armpits with less worry of miscellaneous diseases. Now, that's the life!

This jar lasts me about 4-6 months depending on how much I use. You only need a very small amount to be effective so no need to go overboard. It'll melt as soon as it contacts your skin and then it's good to go. No staining clothes and no more sweat stains!

I put my regular deodorant in my left arm pit and the new deodorant in my right arm pit and my right was much dryer all day long. Win!

*The deodorant may change consistencies with the weather due to the melting point of coconut oil. This won't change how it works.

A Note on Buying Clay

Be careful from whom you buy your clay. You want to make sure you buy from a company that uses quality clay and that is not mined with metal machinery. I use Redmond Clay, but there are a lot of good companies out there so just do your research!

Here are the products I used and just FYI these are Amazon Affiliate links (if you buy something from one of my links, a small percentage of Amazon's profit goes to me and your price remains the same. But since I get a little money, I buy more stuff for the website. It's like the circle of blog life-- that needs to be a song):

• Clay: Redmond Trading Company Clay 10 oz
• Coconut oil: Island's Miracle Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 12 Ounce Jars (Pack of 2) I've used Trader Joe's Brand too and really liked it. Just find something organic and that comes in a glass jar. ;)
• Arrowroot Powder: You can probably find this at the grocery store.
• Baking Soda: You can definitely find this at the grocery store and it will be a lot cheaper than online.

I store my DIY deodorant in a mason jar, but remember the lids are metals. As long as the deodorant doesn't touch the metal-- it's fine. I've been told that you can also buy plastic lids, but the size will depend on if you buy wide mouth (recommend) or regular pint size jars so remember that when you're looking if you decide to a) use mason jars and b) buy plastic lids.

It's shelf life is quite long-- just check the expiration dates of your products to make sure they will be good for 4-6 months. You can store this anywhere you want-- no need for special treatment.

Now go enjoy a more natural and less stinky life {wink}

If you want to learn more about essential oils you can read more about it in this article "How to Find Quality Essential Oils".

GOT QUESTIONS? Please read the comments below! If you still have questions, please join my Facebook Support Group for all things Natural and Oily. Just Fill Out This Form to be added.

And if you're Pregnant or planning on becoming Pregnant, you have to read this!
Avoid Chemicals in Cosmetics while Pregnant

Disclaimer: I was not paid for this review, but I did receive the clay for free from Redmond Trading Company and I was instructed to provide an unbiased review (They are pretty confident in their product). Seriously, I will always tell you the truth. This stuff is pretty great :)

If you buy any of the products from my recommended links I will get a small commission from the retail store (your price stays the same) which I will use to buy more stuff to blog about. True Story.