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How to care for your yoga mat
Our yoga mats become part of our personal yoga practice and even an extension of our personalities - we choose them for their designs, their feel under hand and foot, their texture, grip and durability.
So it is natural that we would like to care for our mats to ensure they last as long as possible.
If you practice yoga regularly, you will notice dust and dirt marks on your mat. If you practice stronger yoga styles and sweat often, it is even more important to clean your mat regularly to prevent bacteria or funny smells.
There are two aspects to take into account when cleaning yoga mats
- General dirt and sweat from our feet and bodies
- Bacteria and fungi that may build up in the mat if it stays rolled up and not cleaned often
To help mats last longer and to deal with general dirt and dust carried onto our mats by our feet, it is recommended that you wipe your mat down with a wet cloth soaked in warm soapy water after each yoga class. (squirt a few drops of dishwashing detergent into the water – not too soapy, otherwise the mat becomes slippery).
Wipe down on both sides of the mat and let it air dry (preferably hanging the mat up somewhere).
You can also sanitise your mat by applying a disinfectant spray on both sides of the mat to deal with bacteria, once a week, dependent on how frequently you practice. Leave the disinfectant to dry.
Once a month or more frequently, depending on how often you practice yoga and how intensive the practice is (hot sweaty classes or outdoor yoga), thoroughly clean your yoga at by placing the mat into some warm soapy water in the bath or a large bucket. Let it soak for 10 minutes to loosen dirt and grime.
After 10 minutes, wipe the mat down with a soft cloth or sponge, paying careful attention to the areas where you place your feet and hands most of the time. Work gently to avoid damaging the mat.
Rinse the soap out of the mat but do not wring or twist the mat. Keep rising the mat until the water is clean. Shake the mat to remove excess water and then roll the mat in a towel to remove more water. Then hang to air dry.
Once most of the water has been drained off your mat, spray with a mat-friendly disinfectant and leave to air dry.
You can also wipe your yoga blocks down with a wet cloth and soapy water, and then spray with a disinfectant spray.
You can also soak and wash your yoga strap this way, and then hang up to air dry.
Some additional thoughts:
- If you own a specialised yoga mat, some of the brands will recommend how to clean your mat in a safe manner. Please do check.
- If you own a rubber mat, avoid using oils on the mat’s surface as it may break down the rubber surface of your mat.
- Some yoga mats have a gentle microfibre layer for sweat absorption, that may not handle an alcohol-based sanitizer well, so do check the content of the sanitizer.
- You may also choose to work on a special yoga towel that may help with sweat absorption and keep our mat a little cleaner and reduce frequency of cleaning.
- If possible, store your yoga mat in a hanging position where it will receive air flow, rather than rolled up. This helps prevent bacteria that causes fungi and other infections from settling on your mat.
You can make your own disinfectant yoga mat spray, purchase some online from reputable yoga companies, or buy from your local studio.
A common organic disinfectant used by yogis everywhere, is a mixture of equal parts distilled water and white vinegar, with a splash of tea tree or peppermint oil.
Sources:
https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/the-ultimate-guide-to-cleaning-your-yoga-mat
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-yoga-mat-4779943
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a28244345/how-to-clean-yoga-mat/
https://www.humblebeeandme.com/disinfecting-yoga-mat-spray/