DIY Citrus Spray Deodorant

Now that summer is here, I can't carry around my coconut oil based deodorant because it's too warm out for the coconut oil to stay solid. So, this is my solution. Spray on deodorant that I can carry around to refresh my pits as needed.

So here it is, homemade spray on deodorant. Yes, I am knocking off Weleda Citrus Spray on deodorant. I love the stuff, but it's a bit pricey and this recipe comes pretty close.


Ingredients:

2/3 Cup of Vodka (or Gin)
1/3 Cup of Water
Approx. 30 drops of Essential Oils (lemon, lime, orange, bergamot, whatever you like)
Glass bottle with spray pump

Directions:

-Pour vodka into bottle.
-Add essential oils (I put 12 drops of lemon, 12 of lime, 4 of bergamot, 2 of orange)
-Shake to mix oil into alcohol.
-Add water (*N.B. This ingredient is to 'water down' the alcohol. If you find that this recipe is not strong enough for you, just use straight alcohol without the water.)
-Shake bottle before each use as some of the oils will not have mixed into the alcohol.

This recipe works because the alcohol kills the bacteria which is what causes the odour, and the essential oils give your pits a non-pitty smell (and the oils are also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, etc...).

Like the original (Weleda), this might not last all day if you're sweaty like me, or out gardening, or running around all day in the sun during the summer months, but it's cheap enough to make that you shouldn't mind using it as often as needed. I plan to use the coconut oil in the mornings before I leave the house, and carry this spray on deodorant as a backup!

Happy spraying!

Homemade Linen Spray

Ingredients:

- 1 Tablespoon of Vodka

- Approx. 20 drops of essential oil

- Distilled water (the more water you add the milder your scent will become)

Usually when making a homemade linen spray the essential oil is your base fragrance, so choose a scent that you like, or mix and blend of a few different oils together.

               Oils Ideas:

  1-orange and cinnamon (and/or clove and/or sandalwood)

  2-lavender

  3-lime and clove

  4-orange and ylang ylang (and maybe cinnamon, clove, or sandalwood to add some spice)

Directions (the easy way):

-Mix the oils and vodka/alcohol

-Add distilled water (approx. 1 to 1.5 cups)

-Put into mist/spray bottle.

               Shake before use, and spray away.

Directions (the better way!):

Here's an extra step to help complement your base oils/fragrance and help make a stronger smelling spray.

**(N.B. Do not use powdered spices! Get the real thing.)

  Complementing Your Oils:

-Take 2 and a ¼ cups of distilled water and
     bring to a boil.

-Add spices to the the boiling water and
     reduce heat to a gentle simmer.

1. e.g. add orange peel/rind and a cinnamon  
    stick (and/or 2 cloves)

2. e.g. add 2 tablespoons of lavender buds
    to help boost a lavender essential oil.

3. e.g. add lime peel/rind and 2 cloves

4. e.g. add orange peel/rind

-Allow to gently simmer for 15-20 mins.

-Allow to cool, and remove spices before mixing with the vodka and oil mixture.

-Put into a mist/spray bottle, and shake before use.

***Do not use and citrus juice/pulp in boiling the distilled water. Juice is sticky and also, without preservatives, eventually goes bad, and smells off. Use the peel of the citrus only as this is where the oil is located and it will not go bad.

Happy misting!