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Taking time to live well
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Make do and mend: Homemade deodorant

Lottie Storey December 16, 2015

How much more meaningful to commit to a project for a year, giving yourself time to learn and grow. It’s not about abstinence or breaking bad habits but rich new experiences and a re-shaping of your world view. It doesn’t even have to start in January...

View Jen Gale’s Ted Talk on ‘My Make Do and Mend Year’.

And try her Homemade Deodorant recipe. 

Homemade Deodorant

6-8 tablespoons of coconut oil
¼- ½  cup of bicarbonate of soda
¼ cup of cornflour
8-10 drops of essential oils of your choice (optional)

With the exception of the essential oils, all of the ingredients can be sourced from the supermarket. However, as I use bicarb for cleaning, and coconut oil for all kinds of things (moisturiser, and hair conditioner to name two!), I buy both in bulk online from a site called Summer Naturals as it works out cheaper. 

The exact ratio of ingredients will vary from person to person.

The bicarb can be quite astringent, and I find that if I use ½ cup, it can cause some redness and irritation. So it might be better to start with ¼ cup, and if don’t experience any problems, and want to ‘boost’ the anti-perspirant powers of the deodorant, then go up to ½ a cup.

My own personal version is: 8 tablespoons of coconut oil, ¼ cup bicarb, ¼ cup cornflour, and 5 drops each of lemon verbena, and tea tree essential oils.

 

Method:

1. Use a fork to mash all the ingredients together in largish bowl until well combined. (At first it looks like it will never all come together, but keep mashing and squishing the coconut oil and you will end up with a smooth paste.)
2. All you then need to do is find a suitable container to keep it in – I re-use a cleaned out body moisturiser tub, which is just about the right size.
3. To use it, scoop up a small amount on the end of your index finger, and apply! You only need the tiniest bit, and the coconut oil melts at body temperature, so it goes on really smoothly.

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Feb 27, 2025
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Feb 27, 2025
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The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press

The Simple Things

Taking time to live well

We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

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