What do you do if you have a smelly, stinky, uh well… pretty much offensive BO and it’s your own hubby?!?!?! Prior to getting married many of dear hubby’s friends warned me and said they couldn’t understand how I was going to put up with it! 😉

To make matters worse, he is allergic to something in traditional deodorant/antipreparants. We haven’t really persued it too far. Early in our marriage, I brazenly told him I thought he was pulling my leg and using it as an excuse… who ever heard of someone being allergic to deodorant? Well, the loving hubby he is, purchased some and demonstrated. After using it for just one morning he broke out in a raised red continuous rash from mid bicept down to mid rib cage on his side. It was bright red, blistery and just plain ugly. Boy did I feel like a lousy wife! It took a few weeks for it to completely clear up. So, needless to say, no matter how badly he smells I will never ask him to do that again.

We suspect it is the aluminum he is allergic to. Prior to me being in his life he tried various brands and types and the common ingredient was the aluminum. That is our guess at this point in time, but I’m not really that concerned about it, cause if we just don’t use it, then we won’t need to know what to avoid!

Needless to say I was bound and determined to find out what we could do and what would work. He has tried the Crystal Stick from health food stores and also Tom’s of Maine. Both are fine for him, but they just don’t do a thing for him. Like I said, he has quite the BO and this stuff just wasn’t strong enough. We needed some big guns!

I was on the hunt, and I found this recipe on one of my favorite bogs: Passionate Homemaking. I decided to give it a try and it was success from day 1! Dear hubby is a tree climber and is outside working hard all day from morning to dusk, even in the crazy heat and humidity we have in the summer. I can say he comes home having slight BO, but mostly smelling like sawdust, chainsaw oil and dirt! The last smells I don’t mind so much!

We have tasted victory and it is sweet! We have now been using this (or I say dear hubby has been using this!) for about 2 years and it is just as good and day #1! It is so easy to prepare and the recipe lasts at least 4 or 5 months if not longer.

I hosted a deodorant making party last year and I think most of the attendents reported positive effects as well! Try it for yourself and maybe you will be a convert as well!

Deodorant:

Ingredients:
• 6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid but soft state)
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)
• 2-3 drops of tea tree oil (optional)

Directions:
1. Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. I also add a few drop of tea tree oil for a good smell and it’s antibiotic properties!

As I said… if it works for Brian, it ought to work for most! 😉