Baking Soda Deodorant (Works Even in Hot Weather)

Once upon a time, bicarb soda (Sodium Bicarbonate, Bi-Carb Soda, baking soda) in our household would be used for baking exclusively. Then, I started to use it instead of commercial cleaning products. Then, as a good natural tooth cleaning powder. And so on. There is a long list of all the different ways I use it now. And still use it for baking as well. I love that stuff.

Recently I found out a new use for the bicarb soda: as a natural body deodorant! Becoming aware of aluminum and other chemicals in the commercial deodorants and antiperspirants years ago, I’ve switched to natural and organic ones. However, the price tag and the plastic packaging got me into searching for a simple natural deodorant recipe. I’ve found several, but too complicated to make. Then I came across a great post about using baking powder as a natural deodorant. I gave it a go, and it worked well for me.

Baking soda deodorant

Put some baking soda in a container and using a brush or a powder puff apply on clean, dry skin. If you find pure bicarb soda irritating, after shaving for example, mix in some corn starch (so far, I’ve been using pure bicarb). Infusing it with essential oils makes a nice, lightly scented powder. Pure lavender essential oil is mild and safe to use on your skin. Add 2-3 drops to a quarter cup of bicarb, shake well to distribute and let stand few days before using. Apply as necessary.

I have a new batch of bicarb soda being infused with vanilla bean, the same way I make my own vanilla sugar. It smells really nice so far; I hope it will retain that heavenly vanilla scent I’m addicted to after applying it!

Since using bicarb powder soda as a deodorant, I haven’t looked back. And the benefits:

  • It works even in hot weather
  • It’s natural
  • Inexpensive
  • Readily available
  • Waste reduction / less packaging.

Do you have a favourite natural deodorant or recipe for one?  Please leave your comment below.

Updates:

Vanilla scented bicarb has a lovely scent!

My husband switched to bicarb too and finds it really effective.

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14 Comments

  1. Hi,

    I have been using bi-carb for years now as a deodorant. It is fantastic (also my son uses it and he loves it as well). The only problem I have with it is I have found it does have aluminium naturally occuring in it. Have you been able to find one that doesnt have this in it.

    Regards,
    Karen

  2. Hi Karen,

    as you said, some bicarb may have aluminum as a trace element occurring naturally in really small doses. To extract that, manufactures need to use different chemicals and processes. I’ve seen on the Internet aluminum free bicarb, but don’t buy it myself.

    Not all bicarb is made the same way: it’s either mined form a natural deposits or made chemically. Depending on where you live, it’s best to ask for more info from the manufacturers.

    Baking powder, however, has the aluminum compound added. Aluminum free baking powder is easier to source.

  3. hello
    my recommendation is to use diluted dettol on your underarms at the beginning of the day. If you have very bad perspiration, simply reapply during the day or whenever necessary. you don’t need any deodorants. i discovered this recently and it works like a charm. no aluminium, no chemicals and no body odour!!

  4. Hi Vanessa,

    If Dettol works for you, great. Just a note on the ingredients in it: the active ingredient in Dettol is chemical chloroxylenol that is mild skin irritant, eye irritant and has mild toxicity to humans but high to fish.

    I generally avoid anything “antibacterial” in our household because it does more harm than good to the environment.

  5. Hi Vesna

    We love using bicarb for our teeth (with sea salt) and as a deodorant. It works better than commercial aluminum brands!

    Glad to hear that the aluminum is only in trace amounts, I was hoping that was the case.

    God bless
    Leah.

  6. Hi Leah,

    Great to hear that it works for you, too.

    When brushing my teeth or applying bicarb as a deodorant, I sprinkle some on a damp cloth and wipe the bathroom basin while am at it. It sparkles.

    All the best.

  7. Hi Vesna

    Just another quick question, do you know where I can by food-grade aluminium free bicarb of soda? I’m in Australia, so the more local the better.

    Cheers
    Leah.

  8. Dear Leah,

    Your best bet is to ask at your local health shops. If you can’t find it, try searching for Bob’s Red Mill Aluminium Free Baking Soda on the internet. There are several Australian online shops that sell it (imported form US). The 453g (16oz) bag costs about $15 AUD.

    Hope this helps. Let me know if you find it.

  9. So you just powder it on like you would face powder?
    How does it react with fabrics? Does the powder leave white marks?

    1. Hi Heather,

      Yes, I use a powder brush. Bicarb doesn’t react with fabrics nor leaves the marks, not even on black garments.

    2. Hi Heather

      We just dampen our fingers, and then dampen our arm pits, then touch the bicarb and then pat our arm pits with it. Sometimes you’ll need 2 or 3 applications, but it is clear and you can rinse it off and reapply during the day if you need to. Brilliant stuff!

      Leah 🙂

      1. YES, baking soda works AMAZING for deodorant! I have just started using it over the last month because even the heavy duty commercial deodorants don’t quite do the job, I can still smell a slight odor. With the BS, it just absorbs every amount of odor, AND makes my pits MEGA soft! 🙂 Very happy to share my happiness with this also! 🙂

  10. I just started using baking soda as an underarm deodorant too and have found it works great! I’m very glad to have found a solution to the aluminum products. I’m glad to hear about the trace amounts of aluminum, so I now know to check the health food stores for an aluminum-free version.

  11. Ive just started using bi-carb and was absolutely amazed at the results!!…I have to say Ive always needed an anti perspirant deodorant, im not one of those who can get a way with just a light deodorant at least so i thought , but after spending a long weekend in New Orleans in August, which was the definate test for my new creation, I am a changed gal 🙂 I stir approx one teaspoon (or just over) of the bi carb powder into 2oz of distilled water , (that is the size of my glass bottle but you can make larger amounts by doubling this )then I add a few drops of my fave essential oils. Shake before each use then I give a few sprays under my arms (which does dribble down a little but dries in seconds) and seals to form a lovely fresh fabulous “working” deodorant spray! try it xxx

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