How to Clean a Yoga Mat
If you’re a practictioner of yoga or you are just about to be one, having the perfect yoga mat is essential. However, no matter how peaceful your mind gets when practicing yoga, you still have to remember that it is still an exercise and can work up a lot of sweat. Add dirt to sweat and constant contact with your body a pretty picture does not make. Here are some ways to keep your yoga mat (and yourself) clean.
Keeping the Mat Clean
To avoid ending up with a smelly yoga mat, make sure you clean your mat after every use. Use a towel to wipe down your yoga mat after using, and use a spray bottle to spray a water-tea tree oil solution on the surface. Wipe it dry again and hang up to dry, preferably in the sun. The solution can also be modified by adding a few drops of lavender oil, peppermint oil or baking soda for the smell. Laundering the yoga mat completely every three or four weeks are also needed to keep it really clean.
Commercially-made yoga mat cleaners and wet wipes are also available in the market, and they do the same job as the solution described earlier. You’ll just have to make sure that you do not use too much of the stuff, and that you have rinsed it off completely. Even a little leftover solution can cause you to slip and it may cause injury.
Another way to keep your mat clean? Never share it with anyone! A basic rule in hygiene is to not share personal items that have constant contact with your body, such as a toothbrush, or in this case, a yoga mat. Not only will this be hygienic, but it will also prevent you from contracting or transmitting diseases or infections.
Hanging up your yoga mat to dry instead of rolling it up allows the mat to breathe and dry out properly, making it less prone to dirt and bacteria buildup.
Lightly Soiled Yoga Mats
For lightly soiled yoga mats, make a solution of water mixed with a few drops of dishwashing soap. Use a spray bottle and a sponge to apply the solution directly on the soiled areas. Wipe again with clean water and dry with a towel. Hang up to dry completely.
If you’re using a rubber yoga mat, you can clean these mats by using soap, water and a brush. As for cloth or cotton yoga mats, you can simply was it along with your other clothes in the laundry.
Heavily Soiled Yoga Mats
For heavily soiled mats that need some serious cleaning, you have to first check if your yoga mat is machine-washable. If it is, simply put in some light detergent with cold water in a washing machine and put the yoga mat in by itself. Let the washer run through the mildest or the agitation cycle. This is because your usual spin cycle can twist the yoga mat out of shape. Bring the yoga mat out and hang out to dry.
You can also clean your yoga mat without using a washing machine. Submerge the yoga mat in warm water mixed with a small amount of light to mild detergent. If you don’t want to use detergent, you can use a generous amount of white vinegar instead. Handwash your yoga mat, drain the soapy water and rinse with cold water. Roll up the yoga mat in a towel and step on it repeatedly to get rid of excess water. Hang to dry.
Quick Tips
How often you clean your yoga mat by laundering really depends on how often you use it, but it’s generally recommended that you only launder your yoga mat once every three to four weeks. Any more than that may damage your mat or make it lose its stickiness.
If you don’t have space to air-dry your mat, what you can do is put a very thick and absorbent beach towel on top of the yoga mat. Roll it up and leave to dry, but just keep in mind that you might not get a very dry mat out of this.
You can use yoga mat covers when doing yoga. These covers are either disposable or washable, but they are easier to clean.
If you’ve done everything that’s been recommended and you’re still stuck with a dirty, stinky mat, it’s time to get a new yoga mat.