I rub raw lemons on my armpits instead of deodorant – people think I’m crazy, but I’m convinced it works

An American mum has revealed how she ditched deodorant and instead rubbed fruit on her armpits to keep body odor at bay.

Chelsey Pleasant, a 34-year-old fitness instructor from North Carolina, started using lemons to maintain personal hygiene after one of her personal training clients recommended it.

She was pregnant with her second child at the time and struggled to keep the sweat to a minimum, but the citrus worked so well that she hasn’t looked back since.

She shared a video on Instagram of herself preparing the lemon and applying it to her armpits, encouraging others to give the hack a try.

The controversial clip has been viewed more than 200,000 times, with commentators divided over whether it is a good idea or not.

Chelsey admitted: “Some people think I’m crazy, some people want to try it.

‘My husband, Cameron, just thinks it’s too hippie. He gets weird when I take out a container of lemon wedges to rub my armpits.”

However, she stands by the choice, claiming it “works best” for her. Chelsey has been wearing the lemon scent for about two years now and swears by it.

She added: ‘I don’t smell at all, it works very well. I haven’t had any adverse side effects – unless I apply it straight after shaving, which stings for a minute.

‘The theory is that the citric acid kills the bacteria that cause the odor.

‘I’ve tried many natural deodorants and many other suggestions. I haven’t worn aluminum deodorants since 2019 after I had my first child, so I’ve tried a lot of things.

“I can apply this in the morning before my workout, and then again after I shower, and I have no adverse effects.”

‘Cameron admits it works [but] he still thinks it’s weird. He also wears natural deodorants, but they work much better for him.’

She shared a video on Instragram of herself preparing the lemon and applying it to her armpits, encouraging others to give the hack a try

The first time she tried the hack, she was pregnant with her second child and struggling to keep the sweat to a minimum. However, the citrus worked so well that she hasn’t looked back since.

Chelsey admitted: ‘Some people think I’m crazy, some people want to try’

The mother of two has been wearing the lemon scent for about two years now and swears by it

As the video attracted attention, social media users flooded the fitness instructor with questions about the divisive hack

As the video attracted attention, social media users flooded the fitness instructor with questions about the divisive hack.

One user commented: ‘My pits are burning just looking at this…I’m not saying I won’t try it next time I have a lemon though.’

Another user said: ‘I was literally waiting for the sting to come in for the punchline because what is it anyway.’

Another user added: ‘Omg don’t go out in the sun. You’ll burn your burns straight away.’

Meanwhile, someone else warned: ‘Oh, no hippie parenting flashback. This caused me to burn my armpits when I was 14 and now I have discolored armpits.’

Another said: ‘But then if you lie in the sun with your armpits exposed they will burn and stain! Citrus and sun are not a good combination!’

But other viewers were intrigued to try it out for themselves, with one commenting: ‘I’m going to try this! I’ve tried everything you mentioned, but without success.’

Another user added: ‘My Mexican mom would do this and you can also use it as a hairspray and it holds the hair.’

Others agreed: ‘Do this! This is how I detoxed my armpits. The best ever” and “Same! I’ve tried so many natural deodorants but it doesn’t last… lemons work!’