A few days ago I posted about making homemade stick deodorant. I started making this product last summer ... when it was hot. When I used the recipe linked this week it was a lot harder to get the ingredients to incorporate .. because it's still cold outside (and inside:), coconut oil is solid at 76 F .. but turns liquid at 77F. To solve the problem, I warmed the outside of the mixing bowl by dipping it in my hot dishwater. Putting the coconut oil in the bowl first and then adding one tablespoon at a time of aluminum free baking soda, mixing well using the back of a soup spoon against the bowl .. then one tablespoon of organic corn starch .. mixing it in well .. repeating until you have at least 3 and 3 tablespoons of powder to 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil. If you can work it in, add an extra tablespoon of baking soda and corn starch. Add the 10 drops of tea tree oil last .. mixing it well. You can even knead it a bit by hand. You may have to play around with the exact proportions; I can't tell you how temperature affects this product! If you live in a hot region, store the deodorant in a screw top jar and use your fingerstips to apply. It takes a few days for the product to set up. A little goes a long way ... you may even need to smooth it on after application. This deodorant is worth the effort.
