It's Official: I'm Out of Deodorant

I knew it would happen one of these days, and now that day is here. I finally ran out of my last stick of deodorant.

That means I'll be using baking soda from here on out.

It sounds scary, but I'm not that worried because I already ran a week-long experiment to find out if baking soda would be effective enough to kill my pit odor. And it was.

We'll see what happens over time, though. Some people say that baking soda eventually irritates their armpits or even gives them a rash. Gross.

Comments

Jenn said…
For one, I don't understand the whole "use deodorant" thing. I don't use deodorant or anti persperant. At certain times of the month, I might smell a bit sweaty but a quick dab in the bathroom takes care of it. I've never noticed anyone around me smelling excessively stinky or sweaty ... so, what gives? Are people really that sweaty or just self conscious?
Anonymous said…
I'll be interested in hearing how it goes (though it's good to know the one-week test went well). Just one question - how do you "apply" the baking soda?

Thanks... I enjoy reading your blog.
hmd said…
I've used nothing but baking soda for a couple months now and have had no problem with it. I put it in an old plastic honey container (you know the ones that are in the shape of a bear?). Anyway, that way, I only put out a little bit into my hand at a time. I also apply right after a shower so my pits are moist. It's helps the baking soda adhere to my skin. Works great. I love it and no stink to be found :) Hope it works well for you too!
Midge said…
I also don't use deodorant most days. For a while I used baking soda, and sometimes used a drop of lavender oil soaked up with baking soda if I was feeling like it, but never had problems. Now I go without most days, and on the one or two bad days a month, I'll swab my pits with rubbing alcohol (good luck finding that in a non-plastic container...) and apply a deodorant I got from lush that I suspect has baking soda as the main ingredient.
Sarah said…
Here is a great recipe for making your own deoderant.

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/03/update-homemade-deoderant.html
Anonymous said…
some good deodorants you can make:
http://chatter.thebeautybottle.com/showpost.php?p=5692&postcount=53

love the blog!
AppleMurr said…
I know it would mean buying something, but on iHerb, you can get the deodorant rocks for around $1.50. And they actually work, and once they are gone, there is no waste and no weird chemical stuff in the meantime.
Kristie Larsen said…
i haven't used deodorant for years. who new I was being green this whole time! its not that scary. i think once you stop maybe you don't stink as much or sweat as much. it will all work to your advantage. be well.
Anonymous said…
I've been using it for many months now and still no irritation. And I put it on dry with a powder puff.
The Green Cat said…
I've been using a deodorant rock for months and it works most of the time. Some days I find that I sweat right through it though. My only complaint about it is that it came wrapped in PLASTIC!
cashley550 said…
I love the baking soda deodorant... I use a makeup brush and buff it in just like it was mineral makeup...
I too ran out of deodorant recently and have alternated between using baking soda and nothing at all. If I am exerting myself at home and work up a sweat, I just wash up before I leave the house. Of course I did run out towards the end of the summer so I'll have to see how it goes in the depths of the summer.
Anonymous said…
I've never used deoderant in my life. Nobody's ever complained I'm stinky either.
I really don't bother with or understand a lot of these things. I haven't shaved my legs in 30 years and I don't get shaving legs either. I did shave them for awhile when I was a teenager, from peer pressure. But I quit.
No boyfriend has ever been turned off my my unshaved legs.
If you have "pit odor", go for a swim :)
Let the female body exist in its full glory!
Unknown said…
I LOVE a product called Funk Butter by Oyin Handmade...http://oyinhandmade.com/

It's baking soda with clay and essential oils, smells AMAZING and works...something that no natural deodorant has ever done for me before.

A hint...add water before putting on to make it thinner. It will keep the baking soda from irritating you. That's probably a good tip for any baking soda use.

Good luck!
RGW said…
Deodorant rocks rock! Some come in cloth bags when you buy them too, so no plastic packaging!
Anonymous said…
Coincidentally, I just posted an article about making your own, all natural deodorants at home. Take a look!
http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com/my_weblog/2008/09/natural-deodora.html
Anonymous said…
well this was very interesting to read. you are really taking this serious. Im glad that you are stiking to what you want to do. I had never heard about baking soda on your underarms. I would feel very weird if I ever did that. this was a very excitig blog to read
thanks
Anonymous said…
the health food store sells a rock,i've used one for years i works and never goes away
Anonymous said…
I never used antiperspirants because they made me feel uncomfortable. I haven't used deodorants since my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and we started learning the truth. Your skin is by far the largest excretory organ in your body, and preventing the release of toxins means... you're not getting rid of toxins. Some of the odor is due to bacteria, but some of the worst of it is the toxins that need to be gotten rid of. Better yet, of course, is to stop putting toxin into your body. (Um. Ok, do as I say, not as I do!) Your underarms are also a great portal to put things into your body. There are lots of lymph nodes right there; another important and usually ignored excretory system. I believe they are there to deliver toxins to the underarms so the underarms can get rid of them

I found this site because I have been wondering if possibly I'm a bit more smelly than I think. (Well, ok, there's this girl...) I generally just check myself and wash with soap (Ivory; most soaps are full of nasty stuff) and a washcloth. (Or shower, obviously.) However, I was thinking about how most household problems can be solved with vinegar or baking soda, so... could I just use a little baking soda? I'll be trying it.

In response to some other comments: Yes, some people smell bad. My wife (granted she was dying of cancer and full of toxins and death) was appalled when I mentioned that I could smell her thirty feet away as soon as she opened the bathroom door after a shower. I once knew a fellow whose odor was just like, well, rotting flesh. The first time I was around it I was literally looking around for a dead mouse or rat.

Some people like the deodorant rocks or stones. I just looked some up and they are made of "naturally occurring mineral salts". Uranium oxide is naturally occurring (pitchblende). Alum is naturally occurring (compound containing aluminum). One I found actually said "Contains: Mineral Salts, Ammonium Alum" but claimed it contained no aluminum. So I am not too sure the rocks are any healthier than commercial products. Personally, I'd be wary of coating my underarms with them.

I've read others like to add corn starch to the baking soda to make it smoother or less irritating. Hmm. What kind of corn? Genetically engineered, perhaps? If you want to try that, you might consider organic corn starch.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox with a final comment; I'd much rather smell your body odor than some disgusting "scent" like perfume, cologne, or most deodorants and antiperspirants, or, frankly, even most toothpaste, mouthwash or hair products. Either smell like nothing or smell like yourself.

Lavender might be nice, though.
Rozsika Steele said…
I use coconut oil for lotion and deodorant. Works great :)
Anonymous said…
Well folks I ran out of deodorant, have a date in like an hour. I started 2 panic cause I wanted to smell good. Yes i showered n all but still. All i would like to say is thank god for the internet and you guys are frickin lifesavers! (i used babypowder lolz).

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