More Yoga Mat Cleaning Tips And Tricks
Here are a few more quick and easy yoga mat cleaning tips that can help you maintain its cleanliness:-
- Store your mat in a breathable bag to keep it from catching dust
- Dont forget to wipe down any equipment, such as blocks and straps, after each use
- Keep your yoga mat away from windows and direct sunlight.
- If you want to keep the mat clean in between washings, sprinkle a layer of corn starch or baby powder on it after each use to absorb any sweat from your practice.
Can You Clean A Yoga Mat With Vinegar
Maybe youre used to using commercial products, or youve been using vinegar to clean, but never stopped to wonder why its used. First of all, the types of vinegar that are used to clean are very cheap compared to commercial cleaning products.
Well discuss the price further in the next section. Second, theyre also very acidic, which is effective for removing stains.
Reason being, stains from situations such as sweat and grass are slightly acidic, and therefore, will dissolve when in contact with another acid. Thats where vinegar comes into play.
Lastly, its a natural product of fermentation, which cannot be said for the cancer-inducing chemicals in many commercial cleaning brands.
Sodium lauryl sulfate, for example, is used a surfactant to deepen the cleaning and its presence also creates a byproduct of 1,4-dioxane which is also shown to cause organ issues, weaken the immune system, and disrupt hormones.
These are only two of many major carcinogenic chemicals found in famous household cleaning products.
Great Combination Of Organic + Vegan: Muse Bath Apothecary Yoga Ritual Refreshing Yoga Mat Cleaner
Muse Bath Apothecary Yoga Mat Cleaner comes with a great combination of aromatherapeutic, Organic, and essential oils help to refresh your yoga mat.
Its not only clean your yoga mat even disinfects dust, insects, and remove the weird smell from the mat and other props. Exclusive yeasts break down hard body oil, makeup, stains, dirt, and perspiration.
Made with the influence of the environment to nourish your everyday well-being. The innovative Eucalyptus Mint essential oils formula is saturated with plant-based to give healing fragrances into your mat.
Paulina says that Amazing! really love this it smells fresh and peaceful. No headaches! Extremely relaxing and the jar is super cute and insignificant. I apply one bottle for nearly 3 months on my yoga mat and it works well. No intense smell, dries fast and Great price for both.
Specifications
Refile Size: 2 Bottle: 8 Ounce/eachDimensions:Ingredients: Eucalyptus Mint essential oils + Therapeutic aromas + Vegan
Pros
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How To Clean Your Yoga Mat
Yoga mats are a near-perfect storm for harboring germs. When you practice, especially a more energetic style like power vinyasa or Bikram, youre likely to sweat a lot. And when that sweat drips onto your mat, it can lead to bacterial growth and unwanted odors. Its worth taking the time to wipe down your yoga mat briefly after every practice, as well as to give it a deep clean every month or so. Cleaning removes the buildup of dirt and sweat on your mat, which can keep your mat grippy and extend its life. In this article, well show you how to do it.
Water And Microfiber Cloth
If you donât have a lot of time and want to give your mat a quick refresh, grab a microfiber cloth and lightly wet it with water. Rub down your mat with the damp microfiber cloth and let the mat air dry for a few minutes.
Microfiber is amazing â known for their cleaning power, microfibers are able to attach themselves to even the smallest, most microscopic dirt particles. Each fiber is positively charged, attracting and pulling up negatively-charged dirt, dust, and germs from any surface. While microfiber cloths canât kill viruses, they can pick up debris that viruses and germs cling to, making your home cleaner and more sustainable.
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Cleaning With Essential Oils
Essential oils are known for their pleasing smell but a lot of people are unaware of their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The following mixture makes use of these features. You will need about 4 ounces of water, ¼ cup witch hazel, tea tree oil and lavender oil. Pour the water in a bowl, add witch hazel and then pour about two drops of tea tree oil and lavender oil respectively.
Tea tree oil helps in fighting with germs and lavender oil adds the freshness of cleaning by virtue of its smell. You can also add some other essential oils such as lemongrass, peppermint and eucalyptus. All of these have their own benefits along with pleasing smells which leave your mat feeling fresh. A mix of more than two essential oils is also welcome. Keep in mind the kind of fragrances you like before adding the oils to the solution.
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Q: What Makes Manduka’s Botanical Cleaner Different From Other Household Disinfectants
A: Mandukas Botanical Cleaner is an all-natural plant-based solution that thoroughly cleans in one step. Other household cleaners are not plant-based, meaning they made of solvents or harsh chemicals that will degrade mats.Mandukas Botanical Cleaner is specially formulated with no harsh chemicals to not require rinsing after use and is proven to be non-irritating.
For other questions please email us at or visit our help center.
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How To Clean A Yoga Mat: Tips For Foam Rubber And Cork Mats
Learn the correct ways to keep your yoga mat clean, stain-free and nice-smelling
ByKat Bayly Last updated 2020-12-21T09:47:46.603Z
With yoga studios being closed for the majority of the year, you may have invested in your own yoga mat to use at home. Of course, this probably means it isn’t getting the same regular cleaning that mats at studios receive. But don’t worry, we’ve put together a guide on how best to clean your yoga mat no matter the material it’s made from.
Not all mats are the same: our guide to the best yoga mats includes PVC foam, rubber and cork options, and it’s important to know what your mat is made of before you attempt to clean it. If your mat is made from PVC, you have many options available to you to ensure it’s cleaned and disinfected regularly before those sweat stains and dirty feet marks start to change the colour of the mat in its entirety. However, polyurethane and natural rubber mats need more love and care as some products can damage your mat and take away its non-slip properties. And well, cork mats are naturally meant to be antibacterial and repel odours so little is required in terms of cleaning when it comes to these mats. Hurrah!
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Read on for an in-depth guide to how to clean yoga mats of all kinds, plus some top tips for stopping them from getting dirty in the first place.
Q: Why Does Using Purified Water Matter
A: If youve ever shopped the water aisle at the grocery store, you know there are many variations of water available, from natural spring to reverse osmosis. When producing cleaning products, many companies use deionised water which is a rapid an inexpensive way to remove minerals. Unfortunately, this process does not remove any microscopic organic molecules, which over time could lead to development of mold. To combat this, many companies add a biocide to their cleaning formulas. We prefer to start by purifying our water to remove not just the minerals but any microscopic organic molecules as well. While its a more expensive process, it means we dont have to add any chemicals to our formula.
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How To Clean Your Cork Yoga Mat
Lately I have been craving three things a new cork yoga mat, chai tea, and movies starring Chris Hemsworth . If youve yet to be acquainted, chai tea is a delicious Indian tea blended with herbs and spices, while Chris Hemsworth is the gorgeous specimen of a man who lets be real…needs no introduction . For the cork mats, I went straight to Chuchka for their contemporary, fun and eco-friendly designs.
Truth is, I am fussy with yoga mats. Firstly, they have to be durable. And of course a beautiful design will inspire me to do more yoga .
Wondering How Often You Should Clean Your Matand The Best Way To Remove Germs Dirt And Stink Read On
Theres nothing worse than rolling out your sticky mat before you practice and noticing a layer of grime or sniffing a subtle hint of days-old sweat. Yet it happens to the best of us, because cleaning your yoga mat is often an afterthought.
However, think about this for a moment: Yoga mats absorb all the sweat, oil, and grime that theyre exposed to. That means they can become dirty, smelly, and even contaminated with germs quickly, especially after a hot yoga class or particularly sweaty asana session. To keep all that gunk off your mat, establishing a consistent cleaning routine is crucial. Craig Stiff, the director of hardgoods at Manduka, recommends cleaning your mat after every practice or use.
Youre entering a sacred space when you practice, so the way you keep that space has an effect on what you get out of your practice, says Heather Lilleston, one of the founders of Yoga For Bad People. She continues, the whole idea of the dirty hippie yogi should be thrown out the window. A huge part of practice is cleanliness. If you cant remember the last time you thoroughly scrubbed down your mat, its probably time to give it a wash. Heres your guide to cleaning your yoga mat the right way.
Try Manduka Mat Wash
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Fold Your Mat The Right Way
For the best results, you should fold your mat one time before rolling it up. If you skip the folding, the mats bottom will carry all its dirt to the upper surface which is flooded with sweat.
When you fold, the upper surface will be enclosed on itself, keeping the sweat inside and the dirt outside.
Moreover, youll be able to know for sure which side touches your body. You can easily forget which is which with a simple roll.
First Why Do You Need To Clean A Yoga Mat
When you practice yoga, you both relax your body and strain it all at the same time. So, naturally, your yoga mat bears the brunt of your escapades and, over time, accumulates dirt, dust, and loads of sweat. We wonât even mention the germs and bacteria that are likely camping out and having a glorious heyday!
However, cleaning a yoga mat is not exactly priority number one in anyoneâs day-to-day life. In most cases, your yoga mat is forgotten as soon as your session is finished.
Unfortunately, the smells and gunk that settle into your yoga mat wonât soon be forgotten! Theyâll just get worse, until all of it becomes a hotspot of germs and sweat stink. It can ruin or at least disrupt your entire yoga experience the next time you decide to roll it out for a flex sesh.
Cleaning your yoga mat helps ensure good hygiene, since your hands touch the mat in various poses, and then they touch a lot of other surfaces too. Your feet can even develop infections from a dirty yoga mat, including plantar warts, athleteâs foot, ringworm, or staph infection.
Another important reason to clean your mat regularly is the safety factor. You need to make sure there isnât any sweat build-up on the surface of the mat. Sweat build up can be slippery, potentially causing you to slip and fall.
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Add A Layer Of Dryness With Yoga Towels
Plus, theyre made with quick-dry materials that help your feet and hands grip the mat so you avoid slipping during practice. Theyre also long to fit the length and general shape of your yoga mat.
The other great thing about using a towel is that you can throw it in the washer and use it to keep your mat dry after class when you roll up your mat.
Is My Yoga Mat Need To Cleans And How To Clean Deeply
If you use your yoga mat over a week without cleaning and washing, then a few days later, you realize a weird smell or stain on your yoga mat. This is the right time to clean your mat any how otherwise you need to buy the second another one.
If you want to clean your yoga mat deeply then before using any harsh or mild dish solution, check Our Yoga Mat cleaning recommendations, or visit the brand website.
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Disinfecting Your Yoga Mat
In addition to cleaning your mat, Itâs a good idea to disinfect it about once a week. This process actually kills the bacteria, not just cleans it off the surface. Itâs a nice habit to get into, especially if you practice in a public space, like a yoga studio.
To disinfect your mat, go with a high-quality product like Microban Sanitizing Spray. We particularly like this brand because it not only kills 99.9% of germs on initial contact, it continues to kill bacteria for up to 24 hours.*
To disinfect bacteria and viruses:
Step One:If you havenât already, pre-clean the surface.
Step Two:Hold the container 6-8â from your yoga mat and spray it until itâs thoroughly wet. Donât forget to do both sides.
Step Three:Let stand for 60 seconds to fend off bacteria** and then wipe dry with a cloth. Let stand for five minutes to fend off bacteria, viruses, and fungi*** and then wipe dry.
If you simply want to deodorize your mat, a simple spray without letting it sit will do the trick.
And now, a final word about some good daily practices to get into:
And thatâs it, a primer on how to clean, disinfect and care for your yoga mat. Of course, doing all these things will extend the life of your mat, but more importantly, itâll help you and all the yogis around you stay healthy. Which if weâre being honest, gives us a lot of zen.
*When used as directed, effective against Staphylococcus aureus & Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria for 24 hours.
Cleaning Your Yoga Mat
Hey, we get it. The easier it is to clean and dry your mat, the more likely youâll do it. While this approach does take a little intentionality we figure youâre already mastering those things in yoga anyway.
Step One:Stretch. Just kidding, you donât need to stretch.
Real Step One:Fill your bathtub up with warm water and squirt in some dish soap. A good rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of dish soap for every gallon of water. Once the water is nice and bubbly, submerge your mat in there and let it soak for ten minutes. This will help dislodge any of those hard-to-scrub oils and germs.
Step Two:Take a soft washcloth and scrub the mat thoroughly on both sides, removing any visible dirt.
Step Three:Drain the tub and rinse the soap off the mat with a bucket. It may take several rounds of this to ensure all the soap is completely drained away. When the water is running clear, you know the job is done.
Step Four:Dry the surface of the mat with a towel. Once most of the moisture is absorbed, lay your mat flat on the ground, place another towel over it, and roll them up together. Avoid wringing the mat out since that can easily tear or damage the mat.
Step Five:To finish drying your mat, hang it up on clothes hangers or a towel rack. And voila! Your yoga mat is clean and ready for the next stage, should you choose to get even more serious about evicting those pesky germs.
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Can You Put Your Yoga Mat In The Washing Machine
This is a hotly debated topic, but the answer depends on the mat that you have. Lilleston tosses her Yoga For Bad People Travel Mat into the washing machine with cold water on the delicate cycle using environmentally friendly detergent when its in need of a deep-clean, and hangs it to dry afterwards. I wouldnt recommend putting the mat into the dryer, but that depends on what your mat is made of of course safer to air dry, says Lilleston.
Stiff, however, encourages yogis to hand-wash their mats instead of risking it with the washing machine. We do not recommend washing your mat in the washing machine. In most cases, this will damage both the mat and washing machine leaving you with a very expensive bill to replace both, he says. Unless your mat has clear instructions that say you can put it in a washing machine, its safest to forego it and stick with hand washing.
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Two Diy Yoga Mat Sprays Thatll Really Work
Scented Spray:
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 3 drops of tea tree oil
- 1-3 drops of your favorite scented essential oil, or combination scent
Unscented Spray:
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of vodka
Apply the spray to the surface, wipe away any excess moisture and allow it to air dry before rolling it up at the end of class. The next time you use it, your yoga mat will be fresh and clean, just like the day you bought it.
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