Baking Soda Deodorant

Deodorants are now available in numerous types with thousands of brands sold across the world. Today, deodorants are among the indispensable grooming products that are in high demand. Did you know that deodorants can be made at home? Homemade ones are very cheap and are also healthy. With all the speculations about the health concerns associated with commercial deodorants, making homemade ones is not at all a bad idea.

How to Use Baking Soda as a Deodorant

We all know that baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a commonly used household material. Though the name is derived from its use for baking purposes, this white-colored fine powder is so versatile that is used as a cleaning agent, in medicines, for oral and skin care and for deodorizing. You can use baking soda for preparing homemade skin exfoliator, body scrub, toothpaste, hand cleanser and many other such products.

Baking soda is often sprinkled inside sweaty, smelly shoes to remove odor. It is also kept inside refrigerators, so as to absorb bad odor. The same principle is applied while using baking soda as a deodorant.

• Once you get out of the shower, dry the skin thoroughly. Make sure that your underarms are fully dry.
• Take a small amount of baking soda (preferably from a fresh stock) and use a powder puff to apply it on the underarms.
• You don't have to use baking soda in large amounts. All you need is a dash of baking soda, applied with a powder puff or a soft cloth. Don't rinse after applying it on the armpits.
• It is always better to wait till the underarms get completely dry, after application of baking soda deodorant. If you wear clothes, soon after application of baking soda, the shirt or top may develop white marks. However, refrain from using baking soda, if you plan to wear sleeveless shirts.
• It may happen that some people develop skin rash with regular use of this product. In that case, you can use a mixture of equal parts of baking soda and cornstarch (may use baby powder cornstarch too).
• If you are looking for a fragrant homemade deodorant, then mix a few drops of essential oil (of your choice) into the cornflour-baking soda mixture. Some people mix equal amounts of baking soda, cornflour and coconut oil, and store the mixture in the refrigerator. You can apply it, as and when you require.

It will be better to test this baking soda deodorant on the inner arm, before you apply it on the armpits. If there is irritation, you may mix more of cornstarch into it and try again. If you think that you are prone to skin irritation, then mix a part of baking soda with six parts of cornflour and use this mixture as a deodorant. If irritation still persists, it will be better to discontinue its use and opt for other homemade ones.

In short, baking soda is effective as a deodorant as it is able to neutralize odors. It is also said to absorb perspiration. The advantages of baking soda deodorant as compared to store-bought ones are that the former is really inexpensive and is also free of harmful chemicals. It is also free of alcohol that is found in the commercial ones. Isn't it really simple? So, why wait? Start using your homemade deodorant and get rid of the odor. You may also share this recipe with your friends.