Introduction: Save Money by Melting Your Deoderant
Being the natural tightwad that I am, I'm always annoyed when there is a small ammount of deoderant, shampoo, lotion, etc. that cannot be used in the bottom of the bottle or package. This solution allows you to use that last little bit of deoderant left in the stick.
Step 1: Materials:
-Used deoderant stick
-New deoderant stick
-Baking soda, fragrance, or other additives (optional)
Step 2: Tools:
-Microwave oven
-Paper towels (optional, but good for keeping things clean)
Step 3: Melt Out the Remainder of the Old Deoderant Stick
Microwave the old deoderant for about 30 seconds or until it melts. It's a good idea to put a paper towel underneath the deoderant in the microwave so it doesn't spill anywhere.
Step 4: Pour Into New Deoderant Stick
Pour the melted remainder of the old deoderant into the new deoderant stick. You can add several different kinds of deoderant in layers, or add baking soda for a natural deoderant. Let everything cool for at least half an hour before using. Throw away the empty deoderant stick (it's given everything it has!).
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39 Comments
11 months ago
I don't do this so much for the money as not being wasteful. And this is interesting: I had three human kind deodorant ends, when melted that made one full deodorant. Which means that you really only get to use 2/3 of expensive deodorant. So it's totally worth it, and very easy, to melt and reuse.
3 years ago
You could always melt it down and put it into a container with a lid. Apply it like you do lotion.
4 years ago
Do NOT use a microwave that you cook food in, otherwise the ingredients like aluminum compounds such as silica, triclosan, phthalates, etc that will become microscopic airborne entities in your microwave when it melts sticking to the walls of your microwave. This may transfer to your food when you heat your food. This stuff causes cancer and a danger especially in kids. Instead, use a small pot with a lid designated for crafts only and slowly melt the deodorant on low heat. Do this in a ventilated area as well so as not to inhale the fumes. When the consistency is partially melted, (not completely liquified) then let transfer to either a silicone mold or back into it’s original container. Let it cool completely before use.
5 years ago
So with this, there are some in the comments complaining it gave them a bad mess in their microwave. Is there a way to melt it down in an empty pot put in a pot of boiling water? Or just with heat alone? I have a stick that is dehydrated and I have 0$ and am just wondering if the stovetop could be an alternative? I don't want stinky underarms. I just want my deoderant stick to be new again.
Reply 4 years ago
Flipping it upside down into a glass measuring cup to microwave it works really well. Then use a rubber spatula to scrape/pour the liquid out of the measuring cup to make sure you get it all into the new stick.
It also helps control where you pour, because the deodorant stick container is not ideal for that either (and that's if you're lucky enough to have one that is liquid-tight and doesn't leak out the bottom!). I have "consolidated" chapstick this way before as well, and I stumbled on this Instructable while seeing if anyone else had had any luck doing it with deo before I tried it. Thanks to the OP for the reassurance!
4 years ago
You are a godsend! This has been bugging me for so many years. I could not bring myself to throw away the remaining contents stuck in the plastic thingy that swivels up. That's perfectly good deo that could still last me a month or so. What I have been doing was to push them all out and into a separate plastic container, but application tends to be messy and sticky! Your solution is just perfect! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (Picture below contains about 5 to 6 deostick remnants I would have otherwise thrown away!)
6 years ago
Good instructable, discontinuity. Also like the idea of a poster to turn the stick upside down in the microwave. I was going to post an instructable on this topic (even have the video made) by digging out the unused product from the plastic "pusher" at the bottom of the stick with a q tip (pusher is rotated to the top of the container and removed from the container) and piling old deodorant on the top of the new deodorant but your method is better. Maybe the poster from the past with no microwave could use this method.
7 years ago
It's deODORant
17 years ago
I gotta say... I'm a cheap ass when it comes to living expenses... college, lackofmoneyitus etc. made it necessity... But wow. You score an A because I am either 1)afraid of you for some unknown reason 2) thinking you have some useful OCD tendencies (such as my roomate :P). Nice first instructable ;)
Reply 7 years ago
LOl, I love this idea, but I also love your response to it! Thanks for brightening up my day!
8 years ago on Introduction
Lavilin (www.lavilin.com) is
highly effective at killing odors. All-natural product.
9 years ago on Introduction
Great idea. Did it. Will continue to do so. Four comments: 1) turn the old stick upside down in microwave with cap on 2) use less time in the microwave (try 10 second increments until you hit your microwave's magic number); 3) consider it a two phase operation- buy your new deodorant, cut a bit off the new deodorant stick (perhaps a half-inch with a sharp long knife across the width for fastest results), place in one of the two caps, microwave this until it is liquid, pour the liquid into the old stick, allow the stick to cool being careful to brace it as it will be top-heavy and prone to tip over, use your old stick for another week or two, then microwave the entire old stick with cap on upside down in microwave, pour contents into new stick, and discard/recycle the old stick container. Employing the two phase operation keeps you from having to manage a stockpile of old sticks, creates needed space in the new stick at the margin, and also keeps you from having to deal with irritation coming from the hard edges of the deodorant case when you get to the very end of the life of the original deodorant stick. Thank you discontinuuity!
11 years ago on Introduction
hey you guys....rather than buying the stuff from the store....why not make your own:
https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Make-Your-Own-Deodorant/
15 years ago on Introduction
Yeah.... I was actually stupid enough to try this. All I got was an empty deoderant tube and a messed up microwave. This wasn't a great deal for me.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
if you turn the stick upside down, the melting liquid flows into the non-porous cap, preventing it from spilling all over the microwave (unless you melt the cap).
16 years ago on Introduction
Nice instructable. It's not really worth an instructable, and I'll never have enough stupid little ideas to make up a whole 'snippets' instructable, but you can use a similar technique for shoe polish. If you get annoyed with the last few bits of shoe polish that get left round the edges of the small tin things, heat it all up with a kitchen blowtorch/turboflame lighter. It all melts, and you can add it onto the new tin :)
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
shoe polish tends to be flammable - be careful!
15 years ago on Introduction
omg.....lol thats actaully pretty smart!! :) butters8754
15 years ago on Introduction
Ill have to try this!
15 years ago on Introduction
throw old on the ground take last bit from holster put on new microwave a little to bond use enjoy