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Simple Inspired Natural Living


How to Make Homemade Toothpaste With Bentonite Clay

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Simple homemade toothpaste recipe made with bentonite clay and only 4 other natural ingredients. 


Orange Peppermint Homemade Toothpaste | DIY Beauty | Non Toxic | Healthy Living

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been sewing, cooking and whipping up crafts of all sorts. This craftiness certainly has had its advantages – saving money (why buy when you can make?), impressing friends (homemade gifts!) and generally keeping me out of trouble.

On the flip side, I’ve spent countless dollars on supplies for short-lived hobbies (hello metal-working and pottery classes) and have amassed large collections of things like fabric, beads and buttons that are currently collecting dust.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, then you’ll understand how someone like this would eventually be the kind of person who makes her own toothpaste.

It was bound to happen. First it was simple scrubs and masks. Then lip balms and body creams. Now homemade toothpaste. And it’s not because good natural toothpaste is not available – it is! But once a maker, always a maker and toothpaste was on my bucket list.

Is homemade toothpaste is on your bucket list too? 

Orange Peppermint Homemade Toothpaste | DIY Beauty | Non Toxic | Healthy Living

 

How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

Just so you know – I tried a lot of variations before I came up with a homemade toothpaste recipe that I liked. I knew I wanted to use bentonite clay as the base because of its ability to draw out toxins and deposit minerals on teeth – plus it is the primary ingredient in Earthpaste, a natural toothpaste I like a lot.

Variations using baking soda were a bit too harsh for me. The consistency of a version using only bentonite clay and essential oils was a bit odd. It was only when I added in a bit of coconut oil to the mix  that I got the flavor and consistency that I liked.

Feel free to mess around with this recipe to find your favorite combination!

Orange Peppermint Homemade Toothpaste

About the ingredients

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full Disclosure

One of the biggest advantages of making your own toothpaste is knowing what’s in it. This toothpaste recipe has only 5 natural ingredients – plus a bit of water to bind it all together. Don’t worry – you won’t go broke making this – these ingredients are inexpensive and could even save you money on toothpaste in the long run.

  • Bentonite clay – draws out toxins, reduces acidity in mouth, non-abrasive polisher and is full of minerals like calcium and magnesium that are good for teeth
  • Coconut oil – anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
  • Essential oils – anti-bacterial and fights plaque (I chose a blend of orange and peppermint)
  • Sea salt – natural cleanser and whitener
  • Stevia – natural sweetener

What’s not in this toothpaste? Fluoride, glycerin, sodium lauryl sulphate, triclosan, propylene glycol, carrageenan, saccharin, polyethylene, titanium dioxide and artificial colors and flavors.


Learn More: How to Buy Non-Toxic Beauty & Personal Care Products


Orange Peppermint Homemade Toothpaste | DIY Beauty | Non Toxic | Healthy Living

Orange Peppermint Homemade Toothpaste Recipe

Homemade toothpaste is super easy to make. Just mix all the ingredients together in a bowl – no need to heat anything up. Use the back of the spoon to break up any clumps of coconut oil.  (Note: bentonite clay reacts with metal and loses its effectiveness, so it is best to use a non-metal bowl and spoon for this project.)

As for flavor, the combination of orange and peppermint essential oils, along with a smidge of stevia give it a slightly sweet taste, along with that fresh mintiness you expect from toothpaste. Feel free to choose your own essential oil combination – cinnamon, clove, spearmint and lemon are popular toothpaste flavors too.

Because there are no preservatives, it is best to make a small batch that will be used up in about a month.

Store your homemade toothpaste in a small glass or plastic jar. I save and reuse jars from food and beauty products especially for my DIY concoctions – but Amazon sells 2-oz glass jars that are the perfect size for a batch of this toothpaste.

And if you’re wondering where that wooden toothbrush is from – it’s a MABLE bamboo toothbrush – love it!

Whether you’re a DIY addict or newbie, I have a feeling this toothpaste will make you smile!

Homemade Toothpaste With Bentonite Clay

Orange Peppermint Homemade Toothpaste | DIY Beauty | Non Toxic | Healthy Living

Homemade toothpaste made with bentonite clay and coconut oil and flavored with essential oils and stevia.

Materials

  • 2 Tablespoons powdered bentonite clay
  • 4 Tablespoons water
  • 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon stevia powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
  • 10 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 10 drops orange essential oil

Instructions

  1. Mix powdered clay with water in a small, non-metal bowl, with a non-metal spoon.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and mix until well blended.
  3. Store in a glass or plastic jar.

Notes

Shelf life is about 1 month.


Category: DIY Beauty

Do you love making stuff? What’s the most unusual DIY you’ve done?

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: DIY Beauty, Featured, Natural Living, Non Toxic Beauty, Non-Toxic Personal Care, Personal Care Tagged With: bentonite clay, coconut oil, essential oils, oral care, toothpaste

About Micaela

Micaela Preston is natural living educator and safe and sustainable product activist. She has spoken at conferences and events, has lobbied for safer chemical laws, and has consulted with many brands and businesses. Her book, Practically Green: Your Guide to Eco Friendly Decision Making was published in 2009.

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Comments

  1. Green Bean says

    February 14, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    Wow! I’m impressed. Pinning.

    Reply
  2. Mary says

    February 20, 2017 at 10:35 pm

    I’ll have to try that and maybe replace the baking soda only habit.

    Reply
  3. Mala says

    February 26, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    Is it calcium bentonite or sodium bentonite that you use?

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      February 27, 2017 at 11:15 am

      Hi Mala – Redmond brand bentonite clay is high in BOTH calcium and sodium. http://www.redmondclay.com/2012/is-redmond-clay-a-calcium-bentonite-clay/

      Reply
  4. Fran says

    March 2, 2017 at 5:14 am

    I have read that you should never put coconut oil down the drain as it will build up over time and cause major plumbing issues. Has this been an issue for you or do you expel the used toothpaste in another manner?

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      March 2, 2017 at 2:11 pm

      Good question Fran. Since there is so little coconut in this toothpaste recipe, and you use so little at a time, I wouldn’t think it would be a problem. As a precaution, running very hot water down your sink periodically, should help clear out anything that is building up!

      Reply
    • Tiffany says

      June 6, 2017 at 9:37 am

      Hi Fran.
      I oil pull with coconut oil, and have always been cautious about this, so I spit the oil into little paper bathroom cups instead of my sink. It could be a method here as well, just double your trash bags to prevent leakage.

      Reply
  5. Della says

    April 25, 2017 at 3:58 am

    I learned a lot here. I was wondering how much it costs in total to make 2 oz of this recipe?

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      April 25, 2017 at 11:26 am

      Hi Della – The cost would depend on how much you paid for your ingredients. If you live near a food co-op or natural foods store, you can probably get just a small amount of the bentonite clay, instead of buying a whole bag. All the ingredients are fairly inexpensive!

      Reply
  6. Tiffany says

    June 6, 2017 at 9:33 am

    Is the salt necessary? I’ve read a lot of recipes for homemade toothpaste, and though a lot of them call for baking soda as an added ingredient, others dis it because it’s too abrasive. Now, I would think that if baking soda is too abrasive for teeth, then salt – even super fine sea salt – would be just as abrasive, if not more so.

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      June 7, 2017 at 9:00 am

      Hi Tiffany – You can definitely make this toothpaste without the salt – it’s not necessary but helps as a cleanser and whitener. There is such a small amount of salt in the recipe that I don’t think the abrasiveness is a problem. Weleda has a very popular salt toothpaste that’s been around for ages – so it’s not a new concept to use salt in toothpaste. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  7. Tiffany says

    June 24, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    Is the water necessary? What is its purpose in the recipe? I thought water decreased shelf life.

    Reply
  8. Becki says

    November 14, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    I can’t get the essential oil taste or smell to last any more than 5 days after making and using. Any tips?

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      November 15, 2017 at 9:27 am

      Hmmm…I haven’t had that problem. I would try adding more essential oils – maybe 5 extra drops at a time?

      Reply
  9. Nico says

    April 29, 2020 at 1:42 pm

    I’ve heard that bentonite clay can cause damage to tears when it is not ground finely enough. Why did you decide to link the clay that you did. Is it at all gritty? Have you found that you experience any tooth soreness after using this product?

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      May 2, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      Redmond Clay is a trusted brand – I’ve never experienced any problems with their products! You can read more about them on their website: https://redmond.life/redmond-clay/

      Reply
  10. Marti Buurkarl says

    May 9, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    I’m making this for the second time today. It’s SO much better than my store-bought toothpaste! My teeth feel do clean after every brushing. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      May 11, 2020 at 4:41 pm

      I’m so glad to hear that Marti!

      Reply
  11. Patricia says

    June 23, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Hi. I just made the toothpaste but it’s very watery. If it sits will it thicken or have I added too much water? Can I just add more clay until I get the right consistency? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      June 24, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Yes, I would try adding a tiny bit more clay until you get the right consistency. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  12. Alex Gabriel says

    July 8, 2020 at 12:15 pm

    Hi Micaela,

    I just made some of this toothpaste. I’m wondering if the coconut oil will plug sink drains over time as it hardens. I’ve heard this can happen.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Micaela says

      July 13, 2020 at 10:06 am

      You should be OK if you run some hot water down the drain after brushing.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Whole Bunch of Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Use in Your Home & Life says:
    July 17, 2018 at 10:23 am

    […] homemade toothpaste. Never in a million years did I think I would make homemade toothpaste – but I did and I keep it in a repurposed glass jar so there’s no need for plastic. […]

    Reply
  2. Best Natural Toothpaste Brands For Everyone in the Family says:
    August 27, 2020 at 10:55 am

    […] clay, but the Redmond brand (that makes Earthpaste and the bentonite clay powder that I buy for my homemade toothpaste recipe), has tested safe from […]

    Reply
  3. All the Zero Waste Bathroom Swaps You Need to Know How to Make says:
    September 25, 2020 at 12:49 pm

    […] switch to a toothpaste powder in a reusable tin, toothpaste bits (I need to try these!) or homemade toothpaste in a reusable […]

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