Update: This blog has moved! You can check out this post here.
For years now, I have made 70% (percentage approximated very unscientifically) of my cleaning supplies with rubbing alcohol
, white vinegar
and baking soda
. It has saved me money, and my house is clean as ever. Then, in November, I read this blog post about homemade deodorant, lip balm,shower scrub and eye make-up remover. Deodorant was on my shopping list at the time, and I thought that I would like to try a homemade deodorant. It took me a while to get around to doing it. Do not worry! I have been using antiperspirant in the meantime. I just pulled a stick out of my travel bag. Then, on Tuesday, I read this post on Apartment Therapy about cleaning the washing machine. I am not sure how, but that made me wonder if I could make my own laundry detergent and other products as well. I did some research, and my loving husband went out in search of the ingredients. He had to visit three grocery stores to find everything I needed. The good news is that I have large quantities of everything left over, so it will be a long time before we have to buy them again. Everything is available online, and next time I might just order everything from Amazon and skip the running around to different stores. The kitchen then became ground zero for production.
Update: This blog has moved! Here you can finish reading this post to see how I made toothpaste, deodorant, laundry soap and dishwashing detergent.
Cape of Dreams 
That deodorant is the BOMB! Everyone I gave it to said it worked so much better than the store bought stuff, and when I apply it I just rub what’s left into my cuticles.
I also don’t think it matters too much how exact your recipe is, as long as your coconut oil solidifies and makes it a solid. There’s no such thing as too much lavender!
I so agree with you and will never go back to the store-bought stuff. This has no stickiness at all. Thank you so much for the inspiration!
I like the salt in the toothpaste, a touch less would be better, but I wouldn’t remove it. Touch more peppermint though please! 🙂
I like this toothpaste much better than what we’ve been buying, my mouth tastes cleaner, especially the next morning.
You can add as much peppermint as you would like! I do think that the salt adds some grit which makes my teeth feel cleaner.
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I was checking out your deodorant recipe,and wanted to know how much of each you use to make this. Have been wanting to make my own,because I refuse to wear store bought because am allergic to all of it and plus don’t trust it. Could you please tell me the recipe for it? Thank you!
Mary, the deodorant is wonderful. My husband and I really love it. My only issue was that I developed a rash. I investigated and found out that this sometimes happens with homemade deodorant when your skin is still moist. I now wait a few hours after a shower to make sure that I am completely dry before I put it on. I have not had the issue return. My husband, who is an athlete who sweats and showers frequently never had a problem.
I did not put the recipe because I got it from another blogger. I prefer people to go to her site. 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup corn starch, 6 tablespoons coconut oil, drops of tea tree oil and other essential oil (peppermint or lavender) to scent. I have found that these measurements do not have to be exact.
I hope you love it as much as we do!