Guest Author - Robin Rounds Whittemore
In modern times, it is easy to look back and say how hard our forefathers, and foremothers, had it back in the day. Before there were modern conveniences, how did they live? There was no air conditioning, yet the sun shone like it does today. There were no heaters, yet it snowed back then as well as it does now. What did they do without television, radio, phones, cell phones, computers, cars, or the ever present traveling laptop?
Perhaps they didn’t have it so bad. Families had to make time for each other at night as there was nothing else to do. People learned skills as they had to do everything themselves. There was no such thing as running to convenience stores or twenty four hour superstores because they were out of deodorant. Think of the money they saved.
Here are some easy recipes to make your own deodorant. The recipes here call for fragranced or essential oil that is already made. Fragranced oils and other fragrances were home made as well back in the good old days.
LAVENDER DEODORANT SPRAY
¼ cup vodka
2 tablespoons witch hazel
8 drops lavender fragrance or essential oil
4 drops lemon fragrance or essential oil
Spray pump bottle
Funnel
Using the funnel to help pour the ingredients into the spray bottle, do so one at a time. When all ingredients have been placed into the bottle, put the lid back on and shake before using.
Essential oils can be used as they are not being placed right on to the body at full concentration.
Following the main recipe above, other fragrances of deodorants can be made by altering the scents of the fragranced oils.
BAKING SODA DEODORANT
1 box baking soda
5 mint leaves
Small shaker container (as if to hold parmesan cheese)
Damp washcloth when you are ready to use (damp, not wet)
Place the mint leaves in the shaker, then place as much of the baking soda in the container as it will hold.
When you are ready to use the deodorant, shake the baking soda onto the damp washcloth. Pat the area to be deodorized, do not rub.
You may have to look to find flower water at a drugstore, gourmet grocery store or even online. It is a common product and is not expensive.
CITRUS DEODORANT
¼ cup vodka
3 tablespoons witch hazel
8 drops bergamot fragrance or essential oil
4 drops lemon fragrance or essential oil
4 tablespoons orange flower water
Spray pump bottle
Funnel
Using the funnel to help pour the ingredients into the spray bottle, do so one at a time. When all ingredients have been placed into the bottle, put the lid back on and shake before using.
If giving this as a gift, use a clear spray bottle, and put some lemon zest into the bottle as well for a little colorful decoration.
