How To Clean Your Manduka Mat
So, what are the steps to clean your Manduka mat? They are pretty simple, actually.
For starters youre supposed to wipe the mat down after each practice or use. I like my Wipex All Natural wipes for cleaning my yoga mat as well as all of my exercise equipment.
Manduka recommends using its Manduka All-Purpose Mat Wash to do this. Im not sure if thats the same thing as the yoga mat wash & refresh product I just mentioned.
However, when I searched the Manduka website for an all-purpose mat wash, the refresh product was the only thing that came up. So maybe Manduka needs to update the messaging to reflect current products available.
On the one hand, Amazon has plenty of other yoga mat wash products available as well. On the other hand, I dont know if youll void the Manduka lifetime warranty if you clean it using non-Manduka products.
Comfort: Thick Stable And Super Dense
What the Manduka PRO lacks in traction right out of the gate, it makes up for in high-density, comfortable support. Of all the mats I reviewed, the PRO had the highest stability-to-comfort ratio, overall. The 6 millimeters of padding cushioned without compressing, so it was great for poses that typically put a lot of pressure on the elbows and knees. I also felt very secure in standing poses that didnt use oppositional force, like dancer and eagle pose.
What the Manduka PRO lacks in traction right out of the gate, it makes up for in high-density, comfortable support.
Using My Manduka Pro Yoga Mat For The First Time
I unrolled my yoga mat the day after I got it. My plan was to take a live Peloton yoga class for my 300th practice milestone. It was Denis Morton slow flow.
As soon as the class started, I could tell the difference with the thickness of the mat. Even though I was practicing on hardwood floors, the mat made it feel like I was on thick carpeting. It was amazing.
However, soon my hands began to slip. I mean, I know I have sweaty hands when I workout but this was different. This time, I was slipping all over the place.
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Using My Mat After The Break
Ill admit that the first time I unrolled the mat after the seasoning process, I wasnt impressed. My hands were still sliding. But, with each subsequent practice, I noticed that they were sliding a little less.
Of course, my hands were also coming out of each practice salty, which my dogs loved. I mean, they love licking me after I salty with sweat anyway so this was like an added bonus for them. But, seriously, I think I need to wash down the mat a little better to get rid of the remaining salt residue.
My Manduka pro yoga mat did come with a Manduka mat cleaner. Its called yoga mat wash & refresh spray from Manduka. Its a lavender scent.
So I plan on using that to help get rid of residual salt or any other dirt that might be on the mat. Because Ive learned that its a dirty mat that can make for a slippery mat.
Also, as I mentioned, I tend to have sweaty hands and feet. Maybe its my anxiety. Or maybe Im just a sweaty person. Anyway, very soon I want to write a blog post on how to practice yoga with sweaty hands and feet. Im sure Im not the only person with this issue of sweaty hands.
How To Season Or Break In Your Manduka Yoga Mat
Turns out that youre supposed to season or break in your Manduka yoga mat before using it the first time. This involves sea salt and letting it sit for 24 hours. Since Id just received the mat as a gift the night before, clearly I hadnt done this. No wonder I was slipping all over the place.
If Id taken the time to read the label that came wrapped around my Manduka mat, I would have seen the instructions for prepping the Manduka mat. They call it The break-in process. Here are the steps.
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Watching Videos About The Breaking
Before I made the video and did the seasoning of my mat, I watched other bloggers who did the same with their Manduka mats. Some suggested rubbing in the salt. Others said you had to let it sit in the sun for 24 hours with the salt on top and showed them leaving it outside for the duration.
I could see how you might think that as the icon for step 3let sit for 24 hoursshow the sun and the moon. I think it was there to show the progression of time, not to instruct you to leave the mat in the sunshine. Either way, I did season my mat in a sunny room. But, considering it was January and below freezing outside, the sun coming in through the windows was the best I could do.
Our Analysis And Test Results
The Manduka PRO mat is made of polyester and PVC , a plastic polymer. While there are more “eco” materials used to make biodegradable mats, like natural rubber, PER or TPE , Manduka considers this line of mats to be an “environmentally conscious choice,” as the PVC is eco-certified as zero-waste, and they design their mats for durability. They also say that their mats “rarely end up in landfills like inexpensive sticky mats,” though we’re not sure we would attest to that. This mat weighs a whopping 7 lbs 13 oz and measures 71″ long by 26″ wide and 6mm thick. While this mat didn’t receive a very high overall score, due to the traction issues and lack of portability, it did still stand out for its great comfort and stability.
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Manduka Pro Yoga Mat 216cm 66cm 6mm
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Levertijd 1-2 werkdagenPick up in our stores is still possible!
- Levertijd 1-2 werkdagen
- Pick up in our stores is still possible!
The legendary Manduka PRO yoga mat has been known for 15 years as the world’s finest yoga mat. There is a reason that this mat inspires so many users. With its density, thickness, unrivaled comfort and cushioning, superior anti-slip, and elegant design, this yoga mat will revolutionize your practice. And the best of all this, this is really a mat for life. The PRO is very durable and has a lifetime warranty.
The Manduka PRO is made of high quality, emission-free PVC with a closed cell surface. This means that the surface of the mat is completely sealed so that moisture and perspiration can’t enter the inside of the mat, this ensures you the mat is hygienic even after years of use. Due to the high density of the mat, the PRO offers a sturdy, stable surface and excellent protection for your joints.
Are you looking for the best mat, seen by many yoga teachers worldwide as the number one yoga mat, then the Manduka yoga mat PRO is the right choice.
Size: 216cm x 66cm x 6mm Weight: 4kg
- Superior lifetime and lifetime warranty
Which yoga bags will fit this yoga mat? Find out in our Yoga Bag Finder!
Use and care
Sustainability
Overall Thoughts On My Manduka Pro Yoga Mat
So far, so good with my Manduka Pro Yoga Mat. It is definitely a mat that provides the most cushioning Ive ever had. This, even though it is 6 mm thick like my GAIAM mat.
The Manduka mat is thicker and solidly constructed. No wonder it weighs 7 pounds vs just 1 pound for the GAIAM mat.
Thats not to say that the GAIAM mat isnt well made. Its just that the Manduka mat is so much more dense. Thats probably why even though it is also 6 mm thick, it just feels thicker and more cushioned.
I dont love that you have to go through the process of seasoning and breaking in the Manduka mat before using it. Thats 24 hours Ill never get back.
Preferably, I want a yoga mat that I can unroll the day I get it and start practicing it. But, now that the process is in the rear view mirror, Im willing to move beyond it.
If you are older or simply need more cushioning in a yoga mat, I would definitely recommend investing in the Manduka Pro Yoga mat. Plus, as I mentioned at the start, this PRO line comes with a lifetime guarantee. If you know my work, then you know that I love brands that stand behind the products they make and sell. So Manduka, thank you for being one of those brands.
For more about other products with lifetime guarantees, here are a few of my other blog posts that discuss this topic:
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Portability: Its No Lightweight
Lugging around the 71-inch mat all day made me glad I hadnt gone for the 85-inch version. Really. At 7.5 pounds of firm, 6-millimeters-thick PVC, the 71-inch mat begs to be stored at a studio, used at home, or at the very least chauffeured around in a car. And the 85-inch mat is 2 pounds heavier!
Lugging around the 71-inch mat all day made me glad I hadnt gone for the 85-inch version.
Price: A Serious Investment For A Serious Mat
The Taj Mahal of yoga mats isnt going to come cheap. At around $120, this mat is a pretty serious investment in your yoga practice. Its dense, very well-made, and guaranteed to last a lifetime.
But if you arent prepared to put the time into working with it and breaking it in, you arent going to get a great return on your investment. The casual yogi, or even a semi-pro with sweatier hands, is just going to get frustrated with all the sliding around.
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Competition: Manduka Pro Vs Manduka Grp
Manduka GRP Yoga Mat: Addressing my primary gripe with the PRO mat, the GRP mat from Manduka is designed with a good, immediate grip in mind. It has an upper layer that provides anti-slip control, particularly in sweaty conditions, and a lower charcoal-infused rubber layer that breathes, absorbs, and eliminates odors. The tradeoff for grip is durability, thoughthe GRP isnt included in Mandukas lifetime warranty.
Buy it if youre ready to work.
The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat, like yoga itself, is an exercise in patience and a labor of love. Its definitely not for everyone, but if youre willing to put in the time and effort to break it in, the PRO may be the last yoga mat you ever buyand thats definitely worth a $120 price tag.
How Not To Clean Your Manduka Mat
The Manduka instructionsthe label that came wrapped around my matoffer three clear ways not to clean your mat. You are not supposed to:
OK, message received loud and clear! I guess this isnt the mat to take with you if you ever decide to do a yoga class on a stand-up paddleboard.
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Manduka Pro Yoga Mat 6mm Great For Dynamic Styles Of Yoga
- Great for: Bikram and Hot Yoga
- High-density cushion for unparalleled experience, joint protection, and versatility on any surface
- Fabric-like surface finish for optimal movement between poses
- Sustainable engineering ensures high quality material will not peel, flake or fade. Product improves with use over time
- OEKO-TEX certified, emissions-free manufacturing
Why I Asked For The Thickest Manduka Yoga Mat
As Ive outlined above, like other yoga mat manufacturers, Manduka mats come in different thickness. In fact, the GAIAM brand yoga mat that Ive been using for yearsand which is falling apartis also 6mm thick. But even at 6mm it was quite cushiony enough.
Sometimes I practice yoga on a tile floor. Other times I practice on a hardwood floor. And in certain poses with one or both knees on the floor, I always need the extra padding.
A friend with a Manduka mat told me that the 6mm PRO mat just felt thicker. And with my midlife knees, I didnt want to have to keep dragging a blanket onto my mat whenever I was doing a crescent lunge or half split.
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Manduka Pro Yoga Mat Review
When my daughters asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I didnt hesitate in responding, A Manduka pro yoga mat. How could I rattle off something so specific so quickly? Because Ive been eyeing a Manduka pro mat for quite some time.
What makes a Manduka mat so worthy of my birthday wish list? Lots of reasons. But the biggest one, in my mind, was the fact that Manduka pro mats come with a lifetime guarantee.
In fact, it was when I was writing this blog post about products on Amazon with a lifetime guarantee that I first learned about Manduka mats. Heres how the company explains how the lifetime warranty works for certain of its yoga mats:
Our Manduka PRO, PROlite and PRO Travel yoga mats carry a lifetime warranty, if taken care of properly. The Manduka Guarantee ONLY applies to products listed as Ships from and sold by Amazon.com and is void if purchased from an unauthorized reseller.
With this information in mind, I made sure to tell my daughters to buy the yoga mat from Amazon. However, another option is shopping directly on the Manduka site to ensure that your lifetime warranty works.
Gaiam 6mm Mat Versus Manduka Pro 6mm Mat
Here is a side-by-side picture of my old GAIAM 6mm mat and my new Manduka PRO 6mm mat. You can see that the thickness is the same.
However, they feel completely different. While the GAIAM mat is soft, the Manduka mat is heavy. Like really heavy.
In fact, according to , the mat weighs 7.5 pounds. By comparison, the 6 mm GAIAM mat weighs just one pound. You can really feel the difference when the mat is on the ground and so are your kneesthat 6 mm feels so much thicker with the Manduka mat.
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Compare To Similar Products
| Lots of padding, will last a lifetime | Easy to clean, lightweight, tons of traction dry or wet | Great traction when wet, easy to care for when doing hot yoga | Inexpensive, high-quality | Great traction when dry, comfortable and stable | |
| Cons | Heavy, bulky, slippery when dry and wet | Expensive | Not as much cushion as a regular 5mm mat, somewhat slippery when dry | Thin | A little heavy, not durable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom Line | This beefy mat is comfortable and stable, but has poor traction with both dry and sweaty hands | This mat combines rubber and cork for a truly grippy mat dry or wet | Great for hot yoga or people who like to use a towel over their mat | A great option not only for travelers, but for someone looking for an inexpensive high-quality mat | Great mat that works well for a variety of non-heated styles |
| Rating Categories | |||||
| Bottom: Polymer Environmental Resin, Top: Microfiber towel | Polyurethane |
Where To Buy Manduka Mats
As I mentioned in the intro, the PRO line of Manduka mats comes with a lifetime guarantee. And if you want that warranty to count, you need to buy your Manduka mat from an authorized retailer.
Speaking of the Manduka store, the brand has its own online store, which you can visit here. There youll find not only Manduka yoga mats but other yoga accessories, too. Ive highlighted a few of those accessories, below.
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I Thought Flipping My Manduka Mat Over Would Help
I stopped my practiceI couldnt pause the class because it was liveand flipped the mat over. I thought maybe Id put the wrong side up. Now the Manduka was facing the floor. Then, I restarted practicing but I was still slipping all over the place.
Before class had started, Id posted an Instagram story. It was a picture of me with the mat and how excited I was to use it that day.
After class I noticed an Instagram notification and clicked on it. It was a friend asking if Id seasoned my Manduka mat before using it.
Huh?
Ease Of Cleaning: Wipe But Dont Get Wet
The closed-cell construction keeps the mat from taking on moisture and bacteria, but youll still need to clean the mat oftenideally after every use. Manduka recommends that you spray the mat with a yoga wash after practice, wipe it with a damp cloth, and allow it to air dry before rolling it back up. Soaking, submerging, or even showering the PRO may damage it and void the lifetime warranty, so remember to bring your mat in from the porch if the clouds roll in.
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Durability: Good For A Lifetime
Designed and guaranteed to last a lifetime, I give the PRO highest marks for durability. Its guaranteed not to flake, fade, or peel with time, normal use, normal abuse, and regular salt rubs. When youre instructed to beat something up before use, its a pretty sure sign that its not going to fall apart quickly. My friend whos taught yoga on this mat for years says hers still looks and performs like new.
A word about using PVC in yoga mats: PVC doesnt biodegrade in landfills, and it can be notoriously difficult, and even ecologically harmful, to recycle. Though PVC isnt an ideal earth-friendly material, by building a mat to last a lifetime, Manduka aims to reduce overall consumption and waste. There are certainly more earth-friendly materials you can make yoga mats from, such as sustainably sourced rubber or cork, but they arent usually as durable.
Its also worth noting that this mat is latex-free and OEKO-TEX-certified, meaning it contains no harmful chemicals.
