I rub raw lemons on my armpits instead of deodorant - people think I am crazy but I am convinced it works

An American mother has revealed how she's ditched deodorant and instead rubs 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.

At the time, she was pregnant with her second child and struggled to keep the sweat at a minimum - however, the citrus fruits worked so well that she's not looked back since.

She shared a video on Instagram of her preparing and applying the lemon to her underarms, encouraging others to give the hack a go.

The controversial clip racked up more than 200,000 views, with commenters divided on whether it's a good idea or not. 

An American mother has revealed how she's ditched deodorant and instead rubs fruit on her armpits to keep B.O at bay

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 weirded out when I pull out a container of lemon wedges to rub on my armpits.'

However, she stands by the choice and claims it 'works best' for her. Chelsey has been wearing the lemon scent for around 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 put it on right after shaving, that stings for a minute.

'The theory is that the citric acid kills the bacteria that creates the odour.

'I have tried many natural deodorants and many other suggestions, I haven't worn aluminium deodorants since 2019 after I had my first child, so I've tried many things.

'I can apply this in the morning before my workouts, and then again after I shower and I have zero adverse effects.

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

She shared a video on Instragram of her preparing and applying the lemon to her underarms, enouraging others to give the hack a go

The first time she tried the hack, she was pregnant with her second child and struggled to keep the sweat at a minimum - however, the citrus fruits worked so well that she's not looked back since

Chelsey admitted: 'Some people think I'm crazy, some people want to try it'

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

As the video garnered attention, social media users inundated the fitness instructor with questions about the divisive hack

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

One user commented: 'My pits are burning just watching this… Not saying I may not try it next time I have a lemon though.'

Another user said: 'I was literally waiting for the stitch incoming for the punchline because what the actual.'

Another user added: 'Omg do not go out in the sun. You'll burn your pits right off.'

Meanwhile, someone else warned: 'Oh no hippie upbringing flashback. This burned my armpits when I was 14 and now I have stained armpits.' 

Another chimed in with: 'But then if you’re out in the sun with armpits exposed they’ll burn and stain! Citrus and sun aren’t a good combo!' 

But, other viewers were intrigued to try it out for themselves, with one commenting: 'I'm going to try this! I have tried everything you mentioned and have had no luck.'

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

Others agreed: 'Done this! It’s how I detoxed my armpits. Best thing ever' and 'Same! I've tried so many natural deodorants, and don't last... lemons work!'