Give it a Try: Let’s Talk About My Armpits
A few weeks ago we talked about deodorant. Lots of people feel let down by natural deodorants, but the health risks associated with antiperspirants make it hard to feel okay about using them. Since our discussion, I’ve been trying something new, and it’s been working wonderfully. Gray Matters just blogged about natural deodorants not working well enough, and it reminded me to write a post about it.
Yup, it’s me and my baking soda again. Since I wash my face with baking soda, I keep a mug full of it on the bathroom counter. I remember reading that Fake Plastic Fish uses baking soda as deodorant. Life Less Plastic does too. And since it was right there on the counter, I decided I’d give it a try.
My friend, Sarah, sent me some awesome essential oil spray for my birthday. It’s a blend of bergamot, lavender, and ylang ylang and it smells like heaven. I’d been using it as a body spray, but instead of using water to get the baking soda to stick, I’ve been spraying my armpits, and then taking a little (like 1/2 a teaspoon) of baking soda and rubbing it into my pit. Classy, huh?
I like using baking soda better than any other deodorant I’ve tried. I haven’t had any irritation or issues with getting white lines on my clothes. My shirts stay drier and I don’t get stinky unless I’ve been running or doing something that would make me sweaty and smelly even if I were wearing commercial antiperspirant (and even then, it’s not nearly as bad as it would be if I weren’t using baking soda). Plus, it’s dirt cheap and low on packaging.
If your friend Sarah didn’t send you heavenly essential oil spray for your birthday, check out these from Erbaviva. But water works fine too.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I used to use Arm and Hammer antipersperant, so I guess this is the same concept minus maybe a few chemicals?
May 8th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Just a note, bergamot essential oil is photosensitive. I use oils as my deodorant and that one is a favorite. I must have accidentally used it one day when I was wearing a tank top and ended up with some odd brown marks behind my arms that lasted a couple of weeks. So just be careful in the sun!
May 8th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
MG — I think it is pretty much the same concept.
Rachel — Thank you for the warning on that!
May 8th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
That’s an interesting note. Now, I’ve got the devil’s advocate question. I know just a little bit about baking soda from reading the book “Twinkie: reconstructed” which outlines how all the ingredients of a Twinkie are created, and I highly recommend it.
So is baking soda always harvested in an environmentally friendly way? Are some brands better than others? Now that we learned that vinegar isn’t always pure, I’m curious about the other things we automatically think of as “better” or “more pure.”
Apologies if you covered this before. I was curious, but not curious enough to search your archives before I started typing away.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Noelle — I wondered the same thing myself. I was going to do a post about it — but this post — http://greenercleaner.blogspot.com/2007/05/whats-eco-friendly.html — pretty much says it all. Is it a perfect option? Not really. Is it better than most other options out there (other than just letting yourself sweat naturally)? Absolutely.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Thanks, Allie. I’ve tried baking soda for everything else, so I might as well try it on my pits! I’ll also check out the essential oils!
May 9th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I’m a little skeptical, but ONLY because I live in Florida.
None of those “natural” deodorants work for me, though, so I’m definitely going to give it a try. Thanks!
May 9th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
[…] Lots of people feel let down by natural deodorants, but the health risks associated with antiperspirants make it hard to feel okay about using them. Since our discussion, I’ve been trying something new, and it’s been working wonderfully. Yup, it’s me and my baking soda again. […]
May 9th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
“Let’s Talk About My Armpits” = post title of the week.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Thanks, Aaron!
May 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I cannot wait to try this! Btw- did your friend make the spray? Just curious because I wanna make some and would love some suggestions…
May 9th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I think Sarah picked the blend of oils at a store that makes essential oil bath and body stuff. I’ll have to ask her though.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Nicole - when I make sprays with essential oils I blend the oils with witch hazel in a 50/50 mix for deodorant, but that was before adding the baking powder on top of it, so you might be able to get away with less essential oils. The oils are antibacterial too, but absorb quickly so don’t last as long.
May 10th, 2008 at 4:19 am
I’ve been using baking soda as deodorant for several months now and LOVE it. It keeps me dry and odorless like nothing else has. I don’t get my pits wet at all, just rub the dry soda into my dry pits, and it works just fine. Although it does sound nice to smell like lavender…
May 10th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Great ideas all around. There are a couple in here I’d like to try. For the time being, I’m pretty stuck on my Tom’s deodorant, although definitely looking for ways to minimize impact (while keeping that oh-so fresh smell!).
May 11th, 2008 at 12:56 am
I use Weleda or nothing. At first I was really hesitant to go without deodorant and antipersperant but I don’t sweat all that much since I spend most of my day in a climate controlled office. The weleda has a great smell that isn’t to strong or cloying and lasts all day.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
i use arm and hammer essentials natural deodorant , and i spritz on some burts bee’s herbal deodorant . this combination works better for me than anything i’ve ever used .