Waste-Free Living: DIY Deodorant

In the second of our extracts from Lauren and Oberon Carter’s ‘A Family Guide to Waste-Free Living’ – a book jampacked with simple, practical tips to help you embark on your own zero-waste journey – we’re giving you a couple of ways to ditch the plastic whilst smelling fresh as a daisy, with two awesome deodorant DIYs! Once you’ve whipped these up, make sure you snap up a copy of Issue 42, where you can read more about the family and have a look around their beautiful, waste-free home.

DEODORANT PASTE

This is actually very similar to our toothpaste recipe, which makes for compact travelling! We find this recipe works well for day-to-day use and more active days.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

2 heaped tablespoons coconut oil

1 teaspoon bicarb soda

10–20 drops essential oil – we love rosemary, lemongrass, lavender, thyme, tea tree or geranium.

Some people like to add other ingredients, such as clay or arrowroot powder. Try experimenting to find a blend that works for you.

1 clean jar

STEP 1

Place all the ingredients in a small bowl.

STEP 2

Mix with a fork until well combined.

STEP 3

Place in a clean jar for use. To use, evenly spread on fingers or palm and apply.

DEODORANT SPRAY

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

1 teaspoon bicarb soda

100 ml warm water

10–20 drops essential oil – lemongrass, tea tree, thyme, rosemary, lavender or geranium
spray bottle

BICARB-FREE DEODORANT SPRAY

Spray bottle

1 part apple cider vinegar

1 part water

STEP 1

Place all the ingredients in a spray bottle. We use and refill an old deodorant bottle.

STEP 2

Shake until well combined.

STEP 3

Use a few squirts each day, or as needed.

A FAMILY GUIDE TO WASTE-FREE LIVING BY LAUREN AND OBERON CARTER, PUBLISHED BY PLUM, RRP $34.99, PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREN OBERON