You can put it into a muffin tin and apply it with your hand each morning (messy) or put it in a jar and scoop some out to rub on if you wish, but if you have an empty deodorant container, you can use it and it will 'roll up' as it's being used, just like regular deodorant does. This recipe will make enough for 1 really large container or about 1 1/2 of the normal smaller sized. I also sometimes add a fragrance oil to this but it doesn't need it and it's optional.
Homemade Deodorant
2 empty deodorant containers (or 1 but you'll have a little left over)
1/4 c baking soda
1/4 c cornstarch
5 T coconut oil (when you buy it, it's solid, like shortening)
2 T beeswax (I like white for this but you could use yellow)
optional:
1/4 t vitamin E oil (a preservative)
8 drops tea tree oil (natural anti-bacterial oil with a strong scent so you may not want to use this)
drops of your favorite fragrance essential oil
Melt the coconut oil and beeswax in the microwave in a small bowl or container and stir until smooth (about a minute or so). Add to everything else in a small bowl and stir until smooth, blended and incorporated. As it starts to cool, the coconut oil starts to make it thick. You can pour it directly into your container (if you stir for a minute or two more, it gets to the consistency to scrape and push it into your container if that is what you prefer, although it's messier. If you take too long and it's thickened up too much, just pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds and melt again.
Gently tap the container on the counter during the filling process and after to get it completely to the bottom, and release air bubbles. Then, refrigerate or let set in a dark, cool cupboard until it completely sets up. When you use it, you gently glide it on your skin.
*NOTE - the reason I was going to 'update' my deodorant post (that I never posted in the first place) is that I have found through my own trial and error that BRAND NAMES MATTER. The first 3 or 4 times I made this, I used the coconut oil I had on hand that I always buy for cooking, baking, salves, etc. It's a cheap brand I pick up at almost any grocery store or Walmart. My finished products were fine and useable but it wasn't until I happened to invest in better quality coconut oil on my last shopping trip, and also happened to pick up a different brand of corn starch that I made this latest version of deodorant and OMGOSH I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Yes, I typed that in caps. Using a little bit more expensive brand of coconut oil and a different brand of cornstarch completely made this an even better quality product and it's ON PAR with ANY deodorant I've ever tried that was store bought and full of chemicals.
