The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Homemade Deodorant
Posted by Angela (Seattle, Wa) on 08/03/2011
★★★★★
First of all, thank you to those who posted about Milk of Magnesia. I am going to try that very soon.
What has worked for me for the past 2 years is homemade natural deodorant. It does not "cure" body odor permanently, but it does work to eliminate smell if used each day.
I found the recipe on a natural homemaking blog. It contains some combination of the following igredients:
-coconut oil
-baking soda (preferrably natural)
-cornstarch or arrowroot
-shea butter (optional)
(Mix all together adding more cornstarch or baking powder as needed to make a thick white paste that becomes mostly solid, depending on the temperature in your home.)
The shea butter was recommended because baking soda can cause a rash after prolonged use. Only a little shea butter is needed. I have had the best success mixing this with cornstarch baby powder. Coconut oil is an antibacterial, so it really cuts the smell.
Some people have made it thick enough to be shaped into a recycled deodorant case. I just put mine in a tupperware dish and rub it on in the mornings. I also sprinkle on excess baby powder to dry the area as it can feel a little oily. Many people swear by this deodorant. I am so thankful to find it and be free of the scary aluminum anti-perspirants. Feel free to Google search to find more recipes out there.
Hydrogen Peroxide Spray
Posted by Tim (Oakland, Ca) on 07/07/2011
★★★★★
I get 12% food grade hydrogen peroxide and dilute it with rose water. Approximately 70% hydrogen peroxide and 30% rose water. I put this in a small spary bottle, then after I get out of the shower and dry off I use about 5 sprays per armpit and rub it in. When I am really stinky I use this in combination with ACV, sprayed on a few minutes before I get into the shower. If you have armpit hair then the the hydrogen peroxide will lighten it and if you shave your armpits then it might sting a bit.
Bentonite Clay
Posted by Mary (Minneapolis) on 07/30/2013
★★★★★
Casey, is this still working?? how much water did you use??
Apple Cider Vinegar, Acidophilus
Posted by Me (Usa) on 09/07/2018
Anyone have any idea of the name of the gel cap probiotic she took or will any good brand work?
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Alicia (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) on 06/18/2011
I LOVE this site!!! I have learned so much. But I do have a question about the BS / ACV combo for armpits, as ther are so many posts on it, I was hoping someone could shed some light on it for me. Am I supposed to use BOTH? Or use baking soda after the ACV? Is it better to use the BS wet or dry? I read some posts where wet usage was recommended but I ended up with a white drippy mess :) Is it better to just pile it on dry
I really hope someone can direct me properly, I have bad odor under my left arm only, incidentally this is the same armpit where I have developed a large cyst several times from store bought deodorant, I have tried all types-even the crystal which did nothing for me. I am polycystic to begin with so I try to watch what I use on my skin.
One last question about the baking soda: I shave frequently so how long should I wait for the ACV or BS application? Thanks so much everyone for your time and valuable posts, I love this community and am spreading the word about Earth Clinic.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Linda (Alpharetta, Ga) on 06/19/2011
try hand sanitizer- 1 time in the morning and if necessary repeat once or twice during the day. You can buy a tiny bottle for your purse, in case the smell comes back. Hand sanitizer kills the bacteria. hand sanitizer is basically rubbing alcohol.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Tessa (Somewhere, Ca) on 09/15/2015
For those of you who notice a stronger smell from one armpit, especially if you have or have had a cyst from other toxic deodorants, using a clay like bentonite or Aztec clay and making a paste with water and applying it to the underarms and surrounding lymph nodes helps to draw out the toxins, and may even reduce pain in the area. Leave the paste on until it dries, about 20 minutes, then rinse off.
Zinc and Magnesium
Posted by Cici (Tulsa, Oklahoma) on 05/22/2011
I've read that some people who had bodyfoot odor problems despite good hygiene were low on zinc and/or magnesium. Of course, check with doctor first.
Avoid Caffeine
Posted by Mittie (London, Uk) on 02/21/2011
★★★★★
Body odor tip: avoid caffeine! I discovered after I stopped using deodorant many years ago that I have nasty smelling perspiration a few minutes after drinking a cup of black tea (which I am a real guzzler of, truth be told). Last year I experimented by cutting out black tea for a few days and voila, no smelly BO, zip, zero. Anyone who is having issues with body odor should try this!
Avoid Caffeine
Posted by Francisca (Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France) on 02/21/2011
Good idea but what can a person like myself do who has body oder but who never touches caffeine?
Avoid Caffeine
Posted by Amom (Clayton, Delaware, Us) on 02/21/2011
My 8 year old daughter also had an odor issue - her underarms smelled 'oniony'. I had her using deodorant, but have found that (evco) coconut oil and baking soda do the trick. Using equal parts, melt the coconut oil, then stir in the baking soda. I put it in a small plastic container and put it in the freezer (just until it hardened). She uses a swipe of it under each arm every morning, and what a difference! I couldn't believe it...
Powder With Cornstarch
Posted by Jeffrey (Pawtucket, Ri) on 02/21/2011
★★★★★
Several years ago I switched to natural deodorants from aluminum based anti-perspirants/deodorants due to health concerns and skin irritaton. Eventually even the natural ones began to irritate my skin, so I tried powder with aloe and cornstarch. It works amazingly well for days when I don't do much sweating, like a typical workday sitting behind a desk. Usually one application in the morning is all that's needed. I'm thinking of keeping some at work, so on warmer days or on days that I go for a walk or bike commute, I can do a quick wash of my underarms in the restroom and re-apply. My underarms feel so much better! Healing after a long time of being irritated and raw.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Brenda (Springfield, Il) on 01/08/2011
★★★★★
For my stinky pits, I now have a concoction that works wonderfully. After showering, I first rub virgin coconut oil on my armpits. Then I wet a finger with water and dip my wet finger into mixture of a little Borax and baking soda, and rub that on. Then I end with a squirt of vodka. (I mix in a spray bottle vodka and a few drops of sandalwood essential oil. ) When I just used baking soda, my pits became irritated and dry. I believe I had a yeast problem, thus the Borax; and the VCO for the dryness. No more body odor for me!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Rob (South America) on 09/09/2011
Great post!
I have been using baking soda for over 5 years and nothing else. It's the only thing that works for me and it works perfectly, I could even go a few days without a shower if I had to (and I live in hot South America). I'm sure the rock deodorant kind works also but I have never been able to find it (plus soda is CHEAP and works, so why not).
I don't find that baking soda irritates the skin. What I do is after showering I put a little soda on the palm of one hand, and with the other drop some water so the mix is in watery form. I mix with both hand and then *gently* apply on both pits and let air dry. If you rub it too hard you will irritate the skin and it will burn. I suppose the same happens if you do it after shaving.
Milk of magnesia equally works but it's more expansive and it leaves a "gooey"/stick feeling.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Renae (Mpls, Mn) on 09/09/2011
Alfalfa pills are increadable. Only 1/day! Can skip a day now w/no problem!
Coconut Oil, Baking Soda
Posted by Robyn (Perth, Australia) on 01/01/2011
★★★★★
pure coconut oil and bicarb for body odour
While I have not tried this personally, I was told by a friend that she very successfully makes the above ingredients into a paste and applies to her armpits, then wipes away residue when dry.
Coconut Water Vinegar
Posted by Loyd (Manila, Philippines) on 12/06/2010
★★★★★
I will sugest coconut water vinegar, apply to affected areas before shower for at least 5 minutes. This work for me so far, do not use antiperspirant or deodorant,
Lime
Posted by Icy (Denver) on 09/14/2016
Lime is more acidic than lemon: that's why it's more effective.
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Brijorg (New Haven, Ct) on 02/02/2011
★★★★★
Kleemarti from Tampa, Florida, Hillsborough, I had some pretty bad reflux not so long ago. The #1 remedy for this I found on manukahoneyusa. There are types of foods and drink to avoid and those you should take but most important smear 1 tbls of the active manuka honey on (in my case) a 1"x1" piece of rice bread (no wheat gluten) and chew well and swallow do this about 20 minutes before each meal. Initially you will feel a slight sting (healing sting) but the honey will coat the esophagus and start healing. This actually works for many digestive issues. The honey has to be applied to something (bread apple, banana, etc) or else it is absorbed into the bloodstream too quickly. Now knock that reflux out, the manuka saved my life.
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Brijorg (New Haven, Ct) on 02/09/2011
Make that 1 teaspoon:)
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Beng (Halifax, Canada) on 01/25/2012
May I know what V8 is... Thanks
Ammonia Odor
Posted by MFB (Traverse City MI) on 09/13/2021
Hi Beng,
V8 is the name of a vegetable juice drink, sold in cans or jugs found at the grocery store. It is a mix of 8 vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, celery, can't remember other ones). I just make my own these days.
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Dennis (New Orleans, La) on 03/13/2012
What is this mother you say that is taken with the acv?
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Dennis (New Orleans, La) on 03/13/2012
@ Beng V8 is a tomato and vegetable based drink they sell in all stores. Stay away from the splash brand, that's more like a regular juice. Look for the original v8.
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Mj (Manila, Phils.) on 04/19/2012
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Holly (Fayetteville, Ar/usa) on 05/12/2012
An answer to the "mother" question, found on the _____'s website:
ACV - Mother Nature's Perfect Food
Natural (undistilled) organic, raw ACV can really be called one of Mother Nature's most perfect foods. It is made from fresh, crushed apples which are then allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels, as wood seems to "boost" the natural fermentation. Natural ACV should be rich, brownish color and if held to the light you might see a tiny formation of "cobweb-like" substances that we call the "mother. " Usually some "mother" will show in the bottom of the ACV bottle the more it ages. It never needs refrigeration. You can also save some "mother" and transfer it to work in other natural vinegars. When you smell natural ACV, there's a pungent odor and sometimes it's so ripened it puckers your mouth and smarts your eyes. These are natural, good signs.
Ammonia Odor
Posted by Dc1 (London) on 12/29/2013
I had a lot of reflux a while ago and had an operation to fix a hiatus Hernia. Now I am definitely not saying you have one of those. Nowadays I get a bit of pressure and burn if I have normal milk or dairy.
In your digestive system you have an enzyme called Lactase which helps you digest Lactose (the naturally occurring sugar in milk). The Lactase it seems is mostly designed to help us digest our mothers milk so for this reason we start to produce less of it with age, some of us more than others, causing Lactose intolerance.
If you have something in your stomach that you cannot digest maybe your stomach becomes more acidic? I don't know all I know is that that is what gave me reflux.
I now drink 'Lactose free milk'(which has lactase added to it) which you can buy in the supermarket in most countries I think. You can also buy Lactase liquid or tablets to take with dairy, if needed, from health food stores.
Hope this helps. Go see a doctor though or you'll drive yourself insane. As someone once told me its usually the simplest answer.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mel (Selangor, Malaysia) on 11/26/2010
My place is very hot and humid all year, so I sweat all day. Sadly, this causes my armpit to smell really bad, but usually my deodorant can cover it up (I rotate deodorant every 2 days - the theory behind it is so that the bacteria will not immune with deodorant). But recently, I found that the smell gets worse, but only on my right side (the left still smell, but not so much) and it happen so sudden!!! I thought it was because of my hormones, but after sticking to healthy diet for a month, still, no effect. I try using lemon and lime, but the effect is no better than normal soap. And baking soda irritates my skin. Four days ago, I try using hand sanitizer as deodorant, just for experiment. And for 4 days it works wonders!!! My armpit didn't smell AT ALL!!! But this is only 4 days, don't know when will it get back to being smelly again.
But just now I try to drink ACV as lots of people in EC suggested. I wanna drink it, but man, IT IS SOOOO SOUR!!! 1 tablespoon ACV diluted with 1 glass of water, and my throat feels the pain. I wanna try with honey, but some people in EC say AVC not suppose to be consume with honey. Is it really?
Maybe I should just use it for topical use only... Wish me luck!!! P/S: But seriously, if you're travelling for a couple of days, just bring along hand sanitizer for your armpit. No hassle!
Baking Soda, Corn Flour, Coconut Oil
Posted by Kdj (Glendale, Az) on 12/17/2011
Oops, I just wrote a review for this mixture below on the other thread. This is what works for me. 100% instant cure for rash and b.o.!
General Feedback
Posted by Yvette (Manchester, Uk ) on 08/27/2010
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I just heard that calamine lotion contains mercury and I checked the ingredients and there it was so beware!
White Vinegar
Posted by Traveler (Santa Barbara, Ca, Usa) on 06/27/2010
★★★★★
I've never had extreme body odor, but since I have gotten off of Depo Provera (birth control) two years ago, and stopped using conventional deoderant/antipersperant about a year ago, my body odor has definitely been interesting at times. Lately, and it might just be related to crappy eating and having a really bad viral cold, my armpits have been giving off a distinctly spicy food smell-- sometimes I smell like some Indian people who eat a conventional indian diet. Which isn't as awful as some BO that I've smelled, but it smells weird to me and definitely when I'm going to work in a bar (and there's no more smoking to mask one's smell) it's not something I want to continue. The past couple nights I've worked, I've had to take a break, take my shirt off and go to the ladies room and wash my underarms with soap and water. The spicy body odor would come back within an hour or so.
I did use a natural deoderant for awhile that I got from Whole Foods and smelled like a creamsicle-- I liked that a lot. It would fail probably after four hours and smell a little musty but it was good. But I think that eventually I left it in the car too often and the heat degraded the ingredients' ability to kill off the armpit bacteria.
Anyway, so last night, after I got out of the shower, I figured I'd come here and check out some options. Zinc didn't work for me. I thought I saw a difference supplementing with zinc, but over time, no dice. I also got some zinc baby bottom paste and that just made my armpits smell musty. I had tried vinegar once, just running out the door and it did kill the smell but I never tried it again, for whatever reason. So I looked at the different options for immediately killing BO for the night, and decided on white vinegar.
I had already showered so I didn't want to shower again, so even though I shaved my armpits and was wearing a halter top I braved the possibility of angry red bumps, and took a cupped handful of white distilled vinegar and applied it to my pits, slightly rubbing it in. I let it dry while doing other stuff.
I am pleased to report that over six hours, the vinegar did not fail me, despite sweating and air drying several times. I detected a slight vinegary smell, but it was nothing compared to the humid spicy food-type wall of body odor that was coming from me before, and easily covered with a couple of sprits of body spray. So yeah-- rock on white vinegar!
White Vinegar
Posted by Susie (Ontario, Usa) on 07/02/2010
You can also use baking soda. I just wet my hands, pour a small amount in one hand, smear them together and swipe under each armpit! No more odor!
Baking Soda
Posted by Doctorwho732 (Broomfield, Colorado, U.s.) on 05/29/2010
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.
Baking Soda
Posted by Carol Ann (Dora, Mo) on 05/30/2010
Try Milk of Magnesium. It works wonderfully well for me.
Baking Soda
Posted by Carlos (Campinas, Brazil) on 05/30/2010
Have you tried milk of magnesia? It works just as good as baking soda.
Baking Soda
Posted by Msg (Somewhere, Europe) on 05/31/2010
use milk of magnesia, or an alum stone.
Baking Soda
Posted 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.
Baking Soda
Posted 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 :)
Baking Soda
Posted 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?
Colon Cleanse
Posted by Cal (Calgary, Ab Canada) on 04/08/2010
★★★★★
Body Odor
This is what I have found out from experiences with this embarassing situation that I had to deal with for a long time myself. I've done the ACV and hydrogen peroxide treatments and they do help but only momentarily and have to be applied constantly. A lot of the suggestion are just cover-ups to keep the smell down but does not really cure the problem or get to the root of the cause. The cause I have determined comes from a smelly colon. The stench from the colon backs up in the body and finds release through the sweat glands under the arm. I can bet that most if not everybody who has this problem also has smelly fecal matter. The body has to get rid of these toxins otherwise you could get very sick. I noticed that whenever I did a colon cleanse that my perspiration would have no smell but as soon there was any constipation the smelliness comes back. Therefore the solution is to keep your colon clean, eat foods rich in fibre, drink enough fluids to aid in excretion and your liver in top condition for that plays a very important role in waste disposal. You might need to do a colon and liver cleanse to clean things up and go from there. Epsom salts is a great way of cleaning the entire intestinal system...doesn't taste great but awesome results
Colon Cleanse
Posted by Mary From Minne (Mn) on 08/14/2013
How often can you use the epsom salts to do the colon cleanse?? Is every week too much?? I notice that when I do the colon cleanse I don't smell as bad but if I don't do it the smell comes back. can I make my high blood pressure worse by doing the cleanse every week or so??
Avoid Deodorants
Posted by Piper (Toronto, On) on 03/23/2010
A friend works for a toiletry manufacturer and he explained to me how antiperspirants work. Applied aluminum clogs the pores to stop you from perspiring and doesn't need to be applied every day because the aluminum stays in your pores.
After that I stopped using commercial antiperspirants and deodorants as I figured that can't be a good thing for my body. I have used a mineral salt deodorant stick ever since.
Lime
Posted by Daryl (Rolling Fork, US) on 12/14/2014
Do you use deodorant after putting lime juice?
Baking Soda, Tea Tree Oil, Witch Hazel
Posted by Sandra (Round Lake, Il) on 03/03/2010
★★★★★
Underarm Body Odor
I have switched to aluminum free deodorant, but was experiencing underarm odor using these deodorants. I am now using a combination of an aluminum-free deodorant along with a solution I created to fortify the effectiveness of the deodorant. My formula is 7 tsp of water, 1 tsp of baking soda, 1 ml of tea tree oil, and 1 tsp of witch hazel. Shake vigorously to dissolve the soda. Pour into a small atomizing bottle and spray on after appying deodorant. I usually spray three sprays. It is now working fine and I am now odor free.
Anti-Candida Diet, Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Crzybeau (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 10/14/2010
Hello Granny laura, I would like to know how exactly you did it to get rid of your underarm odor. I believe its due to candida and I want to stop this embarrasing problem. Please help. Im desperate and depressed :(
