African American Beekeeper

After filtering my honey, I have lots of leftover beeswax because of the crushed honey processing method I use. What does one do with the beeswax? Well, there are many uses for beeswax from making candles, using it in home cosmetics (lotions and lip balms) and even in using polishing furniture, just to name a few. According to the authors of The Beekeeper’s bible: Bees, honey, recipes & other home uses (2011), the average beehive has about 14.5 ounces of wax. The authors also state that it takes 1 pound of honey to produce 1 ounce of beeswax (p.126). That seems like a lot of work for the bees.

I decided to write this post because I will be using some of my leftover beeswax in my homemade deodorant. Using beeswax is an essential component to help make the deodorant mixture more like a solid and similar to the texture of regular solid deodorants that can withstand the heat in warm places like Atlanta. I like to make my deodorant using masculine scents, so I will be experimenting with the following essential oils: lime, vetiver, neroli, lavender, and clary sage.

Below is the recipe for my deodorant, which includes use of my left over beeswax:

¼ cup Organic coconut oil

2 tablespoons of Shea butter

2 tablespoons of beeswax

½ cup Organic baking soda

¼ cup Arrowroot

10 drops Clary Sage

5 drops Lavender

3 drops Vetiver

3 drops Neroli

2 drops Lime

Mixing and Preparation Directions:

First, melt the coconut oil, Shea butter, and beeswax in a small bowl over boiling water.

Once ingredients are melted add the baking soda and arrowroot powder. Note that more baking soda and arrowroot can be added to thicken if mixture is too runny. After all ingredients are incorporated into a smooth mixture the consistency of pudding, remove from heat.

Next, add in the essential oils and stir. Finally, add the mixture to deodorant containers or containers of your choice. Note that the mixture will thicken quickly, but will remain pliable enough to fill the containers.

After the deodorant containers are full, clean and put them in the freezer for them to harden into a solid. After the deodorant becomes a solid, it is ready for immediate use.

The good thing about homemade deodorant is the fact that you know what is in it; the ingredients I used were all natural ingredients and that is comforting to know. I urge readers to learn more about deodorants that contain aluminum; the possible side effects of aluminum is what caused me to begin making my own using natural products and of course my left over beeswax!

What do you do with your leftover beeswax?