This topic is all about finding alternatives to commercial deodorant drops for ostomy pouches. If you’ve run out of your usual product or are looking for more budget-friendly options, here are some ideas and tips shared by others:

- In-pouch additives you might try include:
1. Mouthwash
2. Hydrogen peroxide
3. Essential-oil drops
4. Baking soda
5. Breath mints like TicTacs
6. Two aspirin tablets
7. Toothpaste
8. ¼–½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon

- Dietary or oral products that may help reduce odor:
1. One glass of cranberry juice daily
2. Chopped spinach once or twice a week
3. Pepto-Bismol – one tablet after meals
4. Parsley

- Baking soda is a popular choice:
- Sprinkle a pinch in the pouch after emptying.
- For travel, mix 1 part baking soda with 10 parts water in a small squeeze bottle, or use an over-the-counter sodium-bicarbonate ear-drop solution.
- An open bowl of baking soda in the bathroom can help with airborne odors.

- Baby oil or mineral oil can be used as a lubricant and mild deodorizer:
- Some add lavender essential oil for scent.
- It's recommended to use baby oil made in the USA due to concerns about additives in imported oils.
- There are no reported ill effects from mineral oil, but experiences are limited.
- Be aware that oil residue might affect wafer or ring adhesion, though this is not confirmed.

- Breath mints like Altoids or TicTacs can provide short-term freshness when dropped into an empty pouch.

- Commercial products like Coloplast Brava Lubricating Deodorant are mentioned, with a typical cost of around $27.

- Caution is advised with essential oils and harsh chemicals:
- Essential oils can irritate mucous membranes and degrade pouch plastics, so they are generally not recommended for in-pouch use.
- Household antiseptic or cleaner sprays should only be used when the pouch is detached from the stoma to avoid skin or stoma tissue contact.
- Avoid combining baking soda with vinegar inside the pouch to prevent foaming.

- Internal odor-control aids like Pepto-Bismol tablets, cranberry juice, spinach, and parsley are reiterated by members.

- A reference link to a PubMed article is provided for those interested in researching oil effects.

- Many people are motivated by the high cost of proprietary deodorant drops and are eager to find low-cost home alternatives.