She made and used deodorant July 14, 2008

I’ve been on a quest for a deoderant that is natural, contains no carcinogens, smells nice, and WORKS. I’ve been muddling through with various items purchased at various natural pharmacies and food stores, but nothing has really “done it for me”. I think I am pretty stink free, but I have to reapply a few times a day, and I haven’t really loved any of the products I’ve tried.

While bouncing around blogland, I was on Whistlepea Knits blog, then found AngryChicken.typepad (which ended up being Amy Karol’s of Bend the Rules Sewing fame, whose book I’ve mentioned before). Amy had made her own cream deoderant using a few simple household ingredients, and some Shae and Cocoa Butters, and a few drops of essential and vitamin E oils. I ordered the Butters and oils immediately, from the source listed in her blog. They arrived quickly and I have made up my first batch. I used the same style 1/2 Pint container Amy used, but my scent of choice was Lavender. I love the smell, find it relaxing, it’s a scent I know so I don’t have to worry that it will arrive and I won’t like it, and it has antibacterial properties. The last point made me think it would likely help to cut down on the source of unpleasant odors as well as having the the nice scent to mask them should they arrive.

Using the recipe on her site, I whipped up a batch (which took less than 5 literal minutes), and used it today. It seemed to work pretty well.

My husband thought so too, when I threw up my arm and said “smell my pits”, tonight. He’s such and obliging fellow. I’ll keep you posted on the progress. I also intend to pop on over to the neighboring town to pick up some other scents, at The Mustard Seed…if this one works well. I like variety, and getting to smell them in person seems like the way to be sure you like it. I also like helping out the local community merchants! This is likely where I will procure future supplies of the butters, but I didn’t think of all that until after I placed the initial order.

Oh, a tip about using the cream deodorant. You are supposed to take a small amount from the jar, roll into a pea size ball, then work into your armpit. I decided to use a little condiment spoon to remove so I didn’t get it under my fingernails. That method worked well, and having a silver spoon for my deodorant is amusingly posh.

I also cut out both the Lola Apron for myself, and the small Lolita Apron for my daughter. Hoping for stitching time tomorrow. Thankfully my dying iron is simply dying and isn’t dead yet. So I was able to iron the handmade bias tape that I cut up the other day.