How to make a chemical-free Alum or Fitkary deodorant in under ₹100
If there’s one beauty trick that our dadi-nanis knew long before the global clean beauty movement caught up, it’s the magic of fitkari (alum). While we stock up on fancy roll-ons, sprays, and gels from our favourite brands, the truth is most of them are loaded with chemicals, artificial fragrances, and aluminium compounds that our skin doesn’t really love. But what if we told you that you can make a completely natural, chemical-free deodorant under ₹100, right in your kitchen, with the age-old wisdom of alum?Let’s dive into this simple recipe that not only saves money but also takes you back to traditional beauty roots.
Why Alum is the unsung hero of natural beauty
Before we get to the DIY, let’s talk a little about alum. Known in Indian households as fitkari, it has been used for decades, from purifying water to soothing small cuts after shaving. Our grandmothers swore by it for personal hygiene, and with good reason. Alum is naturally antibacterial, which means it controls odour by preventing the growth of bacteria that causes body smell. Unlike commercial deodorants that mask odour with synthetic perfumes, alum actually tackles the root cause and it does this gently, without clogging your pores.
Another bonus? It’s cooling and soothing on the skin, making it perfect for hot and humid Indian weather.
What you will need
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of exotic ingredients or expensive equipment. Here’s your shopping list:Alum block or powder (fitkari) – ₹30–40 (available at any local chemist or kirana store)Rose water – ₹30–40 (choose a pure one, or make your own at home by boiling rose petals)A small spray bottle or roll-on container – ₹20 or simply reuse an old, cleaned deodorant bottleAnd that’s it. Your total spend will be under ₹100, but the results? Priceless.
Step-by-step: How to make your alum deodorant
Prepare the alum: If you have an alum block, simply crush a small piece into powder using a mortar and pestle. You’ll need about one teaspoon. If you already bought powdered alum, you’re good to go.Mix with rose water: Take about half a cup of rose water and add the alum powder into it. Stir until fully dissolved. Rose water not only gives a fresh, floral fragrance but also adds a soothing quality for your underarms.Bottle it up: Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle or roll-on container. Shake well before each use.How to apply: Spray lightly on clean, dry underarms. The solution will feel fresh, cool, and light – no sticky residue, no overpowering smell, just a natural freshness.
Why this works better than store-bought options
When you think about deodorants, most of us are used to imagining a strong fragrance. But here’s the beauty of alum: it’s odourless. It doesn’t fight with your perfume or body mist. Instead, it simply prevents body odour from forming in the first place.Unlike commercial deodorants, it doesn’t contain parabens, phthalates, or aluminium salts that can irritate sensitive skin or cause long-term harm. For those with darkening underarms, alum can even help gently even out the skin tone because of its mild astringent properties.Plus, the cost factor is unbeatable. A single alum block can last you months – imagine getting fresh, chemical-free protection for a fraction of the price of branded deodorants.
Personalising your DIY alum deodorant
The base recipe is simple, but you can make it your own:For fragrance: Add a drop or two of essential oils like lavender, lemon, or tea tree. (Don’t go overboard – essential oils are potent.)For extra soothing: Mix in a teaspoon of aloe vera gel before bottling. This is perfect if you often shave your underarms and want something calming.
For added freshness: Keep the spray bottle in the fridge during summer – nothing feels better than a cooling spritz on a hot day!
A beauty tip passed down generations
There’s something heartwarming about realising that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers already had the answers we are seeking today in the name of sustainable, clean living. For them, alum wasn’t a “trend” it was simply part of their everyday routine. Dadi would keep a fitkari stone in the bathroom, while nani would crush it into powder to store in a steel dabba. Today, we might package it in glass bottles and call it “DIY deodorant,” but the essence is the same: natural beauty that works.
Making your own alum deodorant is not just about saving money, though under ₹100, it’s the best bargain in the beauty world. It’s also about making conscious choices, moving away from chemicals, and embracing age-old traditions that are gentle on our skin and kinder to the planet.The next time you reach for your regular roll-on, pause and give this recipe a try. Trust us, once you feel the freshness of alum and rose water, you might just swap your expensive deodorants for this humble, heritage-inspired solution. After all, when dadi-nani hacks meet modern beauty needs, magic happens.
