How to Use Baking Soda as a Deodorant

I don't like commercial underarm deodorants for several reasons. They make my armpits sticky. They cause unsightly stains on my clothes. And while a scented deodorant smells fresh and clean right off the bottle, it doesn't smell so good anymore when the proverbial rubber meets the road. Moreover, in my experience, a commercial deodorant becomes less and less effective as time goes on. Finally, the microscopic particles of silver, aluminum and other chemicals used in deodorants are reportedly harmful to the body and the environment.

My search for a safe, no-frills deodorant has led me to plain old baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). I have been using it for several months and I am quite satisfied with it.

While you can put baking soda powder directly on your underarms, I must caution you against it because the baking soda crystals will scratch your skin. A better way is to apply it in liquid form.

How to prepare a no-frills baking soda deodorant

First, find a roll-on deodorant bottle. Using a knife or other suitable tool, pry the roll-on ball mechanism from the top of the bottle. Pour out any remaining product. Wash the bottle and roll-on mechanism with detergent or dish washing soap and rinse them thoroughly.

Your next task is to prepare a saturated baking soda solution. Fill your roll-on bottle to the brim with water. Then, pour the water into a cup or glass. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda powder to the water. Stir the mixture thoroughly. If some of the baking soda remains undissolved, you are ready for the next step. Otherwise, keep stirring and adding more baking soda until there is undissolved baking soda in the solution. Let the mixture settle until the liquid clears up.

Finally, decant the clear liquid into your roll-on bottle. Do not to let the undissolved baking soda get poured into the bottle. Reattach the roll-on mechanism to the top of the bottle. Your baking soda deodorant is now ready to be used.

A roll-on deodorant bottle filled with saturated baking soda solution

Usage tips

If there is any residual underarm odor, try applying your baking soda deodorant on a wider patch of skin. Make sure that all the skin of your underarms is treated.

On very sweaty days, you may have to reapply your baking soda deodorant because the sweat can carry it away from your underarms.

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