What does a natural deodorant need?

When I started researching natural deodorants my first goal was to determine what the purpose was for my product.  It isn't an antiperspirant. The notation below is NOT my goal. I also don't want to create something that is considered a poison if swallowed.

How antiperspirants and deodorants work | Degree

What is antiperspirant deodorant? Antiperspirants help to reduce the production of sweat. Aluminium salts – the active ingredient found in antiperspirants – dissolve into the moisture on the skin's surface. This forms a gel, which temporarily sits on top of the sweat gland, reducing the amount of sweat released.

I knew I did NOT want aluminum, or aluminium.  I wanted to make a deodorant which is meant to allow you to sweat, absorb that sweat, and stop bacteria from growing.  I also wanted to introduce some fragrance to cover body odour if these three levels of defense didn't hold up.

Baking Soda: Baking soda works well.  It does kill bacteria and keep people smelling fresh.  However I read review, after review, after review and kept finding that the deodorants with baking soda were the same ones that gave people rashes.  I decided I would not use baking soda.

Magnesium Hydroxide:  Option 2

"Studies have shown that Magnesium Hydroxide does not absorb into the skin. Instead, its main purpose in a natural deodorant is to counteract any odor-causing bacteria on the surface of the skin without impacting the dermis – the layer of skin where sweat glands, pores and hair follicles are contained."

source: https://www.garrisonminerals.com/

I chose magnesium hydroxide with three absorbents.  After two months my husband and I were satisfied with the texture (not too sticky, not too gooey, not too stiff), fragrance, and performance.  It's pretty awesome!  Everyone who has used our deodorant has loved it.  I can't explain it really but I feel all around healthier.

The Beauty of Natural Fibers

I started to make my dye free - bleach free cloths to help people who have textile dye allergies, also called "textile dye dermatitis". One of my dye free bleach free cloths is shown below. It is 100% cotton.

This made me think about the bigger picture.  Why are we addicted to colour?  Why do we go for the coloured yarn first?  Why was it so hard for me to find a dye free bleach free supplier!?  AND how much energy is used in the process of dying the cotton. 

The plastic free movement is about more than cleaning up the ocean, human health concerns of microplastics and reducing landfill volumes.  It is also about Green House Gases.  How energy intensive is it to dye cotton?


The most common brands on the shelves are  Bernat and Sugar'n Cream. They are dyed by Spinrite Yarns. Luckily they have shared a video on Youtube so we can see what happens in the process of adding colour. It is energy intensive.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPpjP-kRoZk


1) It is HOT.  The yarn is in water >100 °C for hours, and the driers are very hot.

2) It uses a lot of water!

3) If we can accept things that are not coloured we might make a huge difference in our world.