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Doctorwho732 (Broomfield, Colorado, U.s.) on 05/29/2010
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Body Odor and Baking Soda

Hey everyone. So I've been going the holistic route in healing and I decided to try going without chemical deodorants. I've been without conventional deodorant for about 5 to 6 months now. However, I haven't been able to find any natural remedy that works. The baking powder one eliminates the odor, but causes me to have painful armpits. I also tried the acv remedy and it hasn't worked either. My BO is terrible and I would love some advice on what to do. I was thinking of maybe trying the baking soda with cornstarch to see if that helps any. Thank you for taking the time to help me.

Replied By Carol Ann (Dora, Mo) on 05/30/2010

Try Milk of Magnesium. It works wonderfully well for me.

Replied By Marlene (Surrey, Bc) on 05/30/2010

I've just started to try coconut oil and it seems to be working. When I get up in the morning I put coconut oil under the arm, then I go for a brisk 1 1/2 hour walk. I used to smell terrible when I got home, now I don't. After I have my morning bath I use the coconut oil again. I don't know if it would last all day for everyone but I don't seem to have to reapply.I also ingest about 3 tablespoons per day, this could also be helping. The coconut oil is antibacterial, therefore killing the bacteria that causes the smell. Hope this helps.

Replied By Carlos (Campinas, Brazil) on 05/30/2010

Have you tried milk of magnesia? It works just as good as baking soda.

Replied By Msg (Somewhere, Europe) on 05/31/2010

use milk of magnesia, or an alum stone.

Replied By Roz (Houston, Tex) on 05/31/2010

When I use baking soda for odor control I only use a tiny amount, If I add too much it does cause painful armpits. Or maybe alternate with a dab or apple cider vinegar.

Replied By Oda (New York, Ny) on 06/01/2010

Hi Doctorwho732,

Consider going (if you're not already) with a mostly veggie and whole grain diet. For example, red meat - especially pork - changes the way your body smells, as does sugar. Sugar feeds a bacteria called candida - yes, same as what causes yeast infections in women - and it's present in all of us, all the time, but eating an unbalanced diet can make it thrive in your body and cause a host of crappy symptoms, among them bad body odor.

Also, stress body odor smells very different from sweat body odor - one's hard work sweat, the other smells bitter and stinky. If you're really tense, cut down on caffeine and get more exercise (a good idea in general). Try to figure out what's making you so anxious.

Look up 'candida diet' online, or go to a library / bookstore / health food store to learn more. Also research fungal infections (ie. athlete's foot, jock itch, warts) - fungus may also be contributing to bad body smell.... I suspect that improving what you eat and helping your immune system fight infections will help you a great deal. We are what we eat.

Good luck and happy healing :)

Replied By Nimo (Taipei, Noidea, Taiwan) on 06/01/2010

I have being using sodium bicarbonate, as deodorant, under my arms for almost 2 years now and never a problem. Do you shave it? because maybe that's why you feel pain. It really keep me without any bad smell all day.

Replied By Faith (Ab Canada) on 06/21/2010

Delightful Home Made Baking Soda Deodorant...

Thoroughly Mix 2 tablespoons of Baking soda in water (About a cup of water but this really depends on the size of the spray bottle).

Once the baking soda has dissolved, pour the mixture into a glass spray bottle.

This method is easy, clean & works awesome!

* Special Note: Add your favourite essential oils to give it a pleasant scent : )

Replied By Bellabing (Manila, Philippines) on 07/28/2012

Every human being have different types of body odor. If you are acidic by nature, try iliminate those acidic foods, i.e. Spicy foods, spices, caffeine, alcohol, cigarette, that causes body odor. Take a bath twice a day, morning and evening. Put baking soda and hydrogen peroxide on the water that you use for bathing and add essential oils e. G. Tea tree oil, peppermint oil, if you like. Detoxify your body using sea salt (not iodize) with warm water in a bath tub or a large pail and soak your body 30-45 minutes twice a week. Drink plenty of water, and eat as much green leafy vegetables to cleanse your system. Do not take apple cider vinegar if you are acidic or you have an ulcer. Drink virgin coconut oil or take activated charcoal powder or capsules. (Please google search activated charcoal for more info). You can also make your own deodorant - a mixture of antibacterial toothpaste and baking soda, then rub it on your under arm to keep you going the whole day. Always bring antibacterial wet tissue to wipe your underarm whenever it gets wet. Most of all, always think positive because God is good all the time. :)

Replied By Sarah (Florida) on 11/21/2015

I had been using clinical Dove and it stopped working. I switched to regular Dove. Most deodorants irritate my skin. I really wanted to stop using all the crap and read about the baking soda.

I would sweat even after applying the Dove but found that if I took some baking soda on my hand and rub it under my arms, it worked like a charm.

Until, I got this rash after a few days of using. It didn't really hurt or burn, just really dark. So, I stopped using it.

Maybe I should have mixed it- or maybe I just can't use it. I would love to because it really worked.

I have a question about the coconut oil. Does it stain your clothing?

Replied By Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 11/21/2015

Dear Sarah,

Using Baking Soda for deodorant gave my son the same rash. If yours hasn't cleared up yet, a calendula salve is what cleared up his rash, which was itchy and miserable.

I think using coconut oil straight for a deodorant would have a tendency to stain clothes. I have seen recipes for home made deodorant creams or bars that have coconut oil in them, along with things like arrowroot powder, baking soda, essential oils, and beeswax. It might be something to look into, I think mixed with other ingredients, coconut oil wouldn't be so likely to stain.

The following are some other things you could use as a deodorant. Magnesium Oil, Witch Hazel, Rubbing alcohol. (Either on a cotton ball or in a spray bottle.)

~Mama to Many~

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