The Best Thing Ever (Deodorant)

*UPDATE*
I made a new batch of this yesterday, and used 5 tbsp. of completely liquid coconut oil, which left me with a far too oily mixture when cooled and solidified. Can't figure out how the proportions got so off--it's been awhile since my last batch. In the future I will add oil little by little just until the goop that sticks together.

I stopped using regular deodorant/antiperspirant (mostly) a couple years ago after hearing all that stuff about  aluminum being linked to Alzheimer's and cancer. In its place, I started buying Tom's of Maine natural deodorant.

However, ToM is kind of weak stuff, and doesn't last the entire day for me--especially through physical activity. I've heard testimonies that if you just quit using deodorant, you will no longer need it after about a month--you won't smell! I believe that works for people--some people--but I don't think I'm one of them. 

Late in the summer, I stumbled upon this recipe for homemade deodorant on Passionate Homemaking.

5-6 tbsp. coconut oil

1/4 c. baking soda

1/4 c. cornstarch

 First, melt the coconut oil (by partially immersing the glass jar in hot water.) Then, mix it with the baking soda and cornstarch. Spoon the mixture into a container. I use a tiny round container with a screw-on top (it was a lotion sample). I also put it in an empty Tom's of Maine dispenser. Coconut oil melts at 77 degrees, but is otherwise a solid. Thus, during these winter months the deodorant is hard as a rock until I warm it a bit. Leaving it in the steamy bathroom while showering or setting it on the radiator for a couple minutes does the trick. Then, it is soft and you get a little dab on your finger and rub it in.

It's super cheap.

It's completely natural--no chemicals!

And, it WORKS.....well!!!!

 It works as well as any conventional deodorant I've ever used. For real!! I was surprised myself.  It is not an anti-perspirant (although I'd imagine the baking soda absorbs a little moisture), but I'm not a big sweater and have never thought anything wrong with a little perspiration anyway--stopping those glands up seems like a bad idea.

Thus we have the best natural-living discovery ever. We can avoid harmful ingredients and not smell.