Why Your Yoga Mat Is Slippery
It’s tough to solve a problem when you don’t know the cause. Plus, any solution you try is likely to only be temporary because you haven’t fixed the root issue. So, what are some potential reasons for a slippery yoga mat?
- It’s a new mat and needs to be broken in. Most slippery-when-new yoga mats are of made from polyvinyl chloride , like a Gaiam mat from Target. Even premium PVC mats like the Manduka PRO can be slippery at first. Over time, they do tend to get stickier. But at first, they can be quite slick.
- Some mat materials are more slippery than others. Rubber, thermoplastic elastomer , and polyurethane mats tend not to have the same initial slipperiness;as PVC ones. In fact, great grip from the get-go is a big plus for these types of mats.
- Your skin oil or lotion is making you slip on the mat. If you typically do yoga right after moisturizing your skin, it’s possible that your product of choice is the cause of the slipperiness.
- You’re sweating enough to make the yoga mat slick. Some people naturally sweat more than others. Or maybe you’re doing Bikram yoga and the room is 105 degrees F with 40% humidity. A wet mat can easily become a slippery mat.
- Certain poses feel difficult, causing you to slip out of them. Some poses can be quite challenging. Taking time off and returning to yoga may also make it harder to get into proper alignment. Either way, the mat may slip if you slip out of a pose.
Can I Leave My B Mat Outside To Dry
Because B MATs are like a sponge, a fully saturated mat may take 48+ hours to dry out. Sunlight can oxidize the rubber material of the B MAT therefore compromising its grippiness and colour. This can occur directly if left outside in the sun OR indirectly through car/home/studio windows. We recommend drying your mat in a shaded area out of sunlight . UV damage is not covered under warranty!Avoid hanging your mat over metal or wood and leave yourself enough time to have the mat dry before you practice on it.
How To Choose A Yoga Mat
We know choosing the right yoga mat can prevent it from slipping on the floor or prevent you from slipping on the mat, but how do you pick a yoga mat? I found some tips that will make the purchasing process much easier.
- Keep your body and skill level in mind.;Beginners or those that cant put pressure on their joints are going to need a thicker mat than advanced yogis. Yoga mats range in thickness from inch to ¼ inch. You can also use a thin yoga mat with a thick exercise mat on top.
If you are over 58 in height, you will also need to pay attention to the length of the yoga mat. Yoga mats are typically 68 inches long, so you might need a longer mat.
- Choose a mat that works for your workout space.;If you travel often for work or pleasure, you are going to want a light-weight mat that will work great no matter if you are outdoors or in a hotel room. You could even purchase one for home, and one for travel.
There are even cotton yoga mats. These might be best for yoga in the park or on the beach if you do not get sore easily.
- Dont focus too much on the price.;If you are just starting out in your yoga practice, a $10-$20 mat is perfectly acceptable. As you develop in your yoga practice, you will learn what works and what doesnt, and you will have a better idea of your yoga needs.
You may end up spending more on a pricier yoga mat, but it will last much longer than a cheaper one. You will get more use out of it and it will stay in better condition longer.
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How Often Do I Need To Replace My Yoga Mat
Once you find your yoga mat, it wont last forever. If you practice regularly, your yoga mat should be replaced every 6-12 months. There are things to look for as your mat wears down that will tell you when it is time to replace your mat.
- You find pieces of it on the floor.;If your mat is leaving bits of itself on the floor as you roll it up after your yoga practice, it is probably time to buy a new one.
- Your mat has become uneven.;This can affect your balance and cause depressions in your mat from your hands and feet pressing into the mat.
- Your mat is losing traction.;If your feet or hands begin to slip in poses when they dont normally, your mat may be wearing out.
- It smells bad, even though you clean it regularly.;If your yoga mat begins to retain bad odors even after cleaning, it is time to replace it.
- You are sore after using it.;You know best how your body feels after your yoga workout. If you develop new aches and pains from your normal practice, the cushion may be wearing from your mat.
Yoga can mean different things to different people. I use yoga as a form of exercise and I combine yoga with meditation to help manage my stress. When I began my yoga journey, I felt frustrated that I couldnt do the poses my instructor or friends could do with ease.
~Namaste!
Make My Yoga Mat Sticky
You might have read some other blogs that tell you to use a micro-fiber towel or wash your mat in apple vinegar to make your yoga mat more sticky.
Simply, this doesnt work as well as having a high-quality mat.
The horrors of fake news continue even in this blissful realm. It’s a terrible piece of advice and absolutely has no truth to it. It’s a little bit like the tooth fairy story of the yoga world – you want to believe that it’s true because it’s an interesting concept – but the reality is a little disappointing because it wasn’t at all as you hoped it would be.
Youll end up slipping on a yoga mat that not only doesnt protect your body, but also that smells funny.
The best way to improve grip is to make sure you bought the right yoga mat in the first place.
If you want a sticky yoga mat then, firstly, buy a vegan-suede natural rubber yoga mat.
With vegan -suede yoga mats the grip improves as you wear the mat in and as you sweat.
Practice, practice, practice.
Last resort: you can add a little detergent to our best grip yoga mat and gently hand wash the surface if you want to speed up the aging process to improve grip on a suede yoga mat.
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What To Do If Its Really Slippery Or If You Want To Speed The Process Up:
If your mat is really slippery it is a good idea to wash it. If it is a regular sticky yoga mat then you can just put it in the washing machine, no spin. Yes really! I have done this with lots of mats. Once washed, hang on a door to air and dry and make sure it is fully dry before using. This will wash some of the slipperiness off and you can then continue practicing on it to get rid of any residue.
Some of the more specialised mats are not meant to be put in the washing machine, for example my own mat by Planet Sadhana is not meant to be machine washed. Contact your mat manufacturer if in doubt. To wash my mat, I use an Eco friendly anti bacterial surface cleaner and a sponge then rinse off in the shower.
At this point if you havent got your own mat already, you will be wondering which mat I recommend. Thats a very personalised question, I dont think there is one mat that is great for everyone but I will write a post soon about which yoga mats I do recommend and why.
Still Slipping On Your Yoga Mat
If youve tried and tested all of the above recommendations, its maybe time to consider that you could be the problem, not the mat. Try to chalk your hands before your practice to see if that helps with grip, or consider wearing a specially-designed pair of Yoga socks, such as Toe Sox that are reinforced with a non-slip grip surface to help you keep your balance.
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Fitness Equipment That’s Clever Enough For Your Smart Home
When the yoga mat is dry, spray it with a sanitizing spray designed specifically for yoga mats. Some spray options include Luna Cleansing Spray and Aurorae Yoga Mat Wash Cleaner. Be sure to read the label carefully before applying the spray to your mat.;
You may need to let the spray air dry or soak into the mat for a few minutes to kill all of the bacteria.
Which Chemicals Can I Use On My Mat
Due to the natural and open-celled nature of the B MAT, we recommend avoiding using solvents, harsh abrasives, undiluted oils, or added moisturisers as these will clog or break down the compounds that keep the B MAT grippy and supportive.Please see recommended cleaning instructions above for our recommended day-to-day maintenance/cleaning!
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Respect The Life Cycle
A that is mat is too old or too new might be too slippery as well. A new mat hasn’t yet been broken in, resulting in a slick surface. After a few uses it should become stickier. When a mat is too old, some of the traction texture can way away, resulting in a slippery session. Replace your mat every six to 12 months, depending on how often you practice.
The Best Way To Clean And Disinfect Your Mat
Youre likely going to find spray bottles and hand towels in every yoga studio, and even more people waiting in line to use them after class. But what exactly are in those spray bottles?
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 oil. Tea tree oil is a tried-and-true antimicrobial that effectively kills the nasty bacteria and fungi lingering on your mat. Combine that with the antibacterial properties in white vinegar and youve got yourself a tool that does double-duty to disinfect your mat.
See also:How to Clean Your Yoga Mat Without Chemicals
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How Do You Keep Your Yoga Mat From Slipping On The Floor
A yoga mat that slips during your yoga practice can be annoying and dangerous. Whether you are working out on carpeted or a hard-surfaced floor there is a way to fix your mat from sliding. Here is a list of some of the things that might help.
- Break-in your yoga mat.;Like a new pair of shoes, your yoga mat may slip on certain surfaces. The bottom of your mat is smooth without any traction and is unable to grip the surface of your floor. If your mat is still slipping after a week of daily use, you may need to try something else.
- Make sure your mat and the floor are clean.;Pet hair, dirt, and dust may be contributing to your yoga mat slipping. Wipe your mat down after every use and let it dry before putting it away. Sweep or vacuum your floor before beginning your workout.
- Get creative.;Try adding some kind of non-slip backing to your yoga mat. Some things that might be successful in preventing your yoga mat from slipping on the floor are:
- A gripper mat under your yoga mat. This is simply a rubber mat that will keep your yoga mat from sliding on your floor whether you have carpets, wood, or tile.
- Install no-skid rug backing on your yoga mat, a large towel, or an area rug to use under your yoga mat.
- Anti-slip tape or squares can also be used to prevent your mat from sliding on your floor, but may not be ideal for hard-wood flooring.
How To Fix A Slippery Yoga Mat
When buying a yoga mat, it can be more than a little disappointing to discover that your so-called sticky mat has no traction. It can also be frustrating if you’ve had your mat for some time and it slides around more than you’d like.
If you have a slippery yoga mat, you could hurt yourself. This makes it important to identify why it isn’t staying in place, which can also help you find the best solution. It’s also helpful to know what not to do so you don’t accidentally make the issue worse.
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Which Side Of A Yoga Sticky Mat Should You Use
Your yoga mat represents your personal space, a place where you can go to meditate, exercise and find balance in your life. To help you stay balanced as you practice, most yoga mats have a level of “stickiness” to them that keeps the mat from slipping. When selecting your yoga mat, color, size, texture and stickiness should all be considered to determine which mat is right for you. Careful placement of the mat will ensure that you get your peaceful, uninterrupted time of yoga practice.
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.
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What Not To Do
Do not use apple cider vinegar, which is a strong acid, to treat or wash your mat. And avoid exposing it to excessive sunlight and salt. Both will break down rubber, TPE, and polyurethane, and will probably not do much good, even for a PVC mat.
It’s also helpful to check with the mat’s manufacturer for care advice and cleaning tips. The company knows how to best use and treat its mat, so reach out to it for guidance on how to make and keep your mat sticky during your yoga practice.
Can I Use Clorox Wipes On My Yoga Mat
If you can even find Clorox wipes for sale right now, consider yourself lucky! But you should save them for surfaces other than your yoga mat as they contain harsh chemicals and you can do the same type of disinfecting with less-abrasive options.
If you do opt to disinfect your yoga mat with Clorox wipes, Stiff says you should plan to clean it after youve waited long enough for their chemicals to kill germs. “In order for a disinfectant to be effective, the entire surface needs to be visibly wet for a certain period of time, he says. After waiting the appropriate time, you absolutely must rinse your mat off and wipe it clean to remove as much of the product as possible.
This way, you can get rid of the germs, but you leave less time for chemicals to sit and potentially break down or affect your matyou also reduce the chance of them causing skin irritation next time you use it.
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So Just How Dirty Is Your Yoga Mat
In an article for ABC-13 News, Melanie Rech, laboratory director at EMSL Analytical, examined swabs taken from personal and communal yoga mats. Mats from the local yoga studio came back the cleanest with 3 million counts of normal environmental bacteria, writes ABC-13 News. This isnt the most surprising, since yoga studios are supposed to regularly wash their communal mats . The results from a local womans personal mat who admittedly doesnt clean her mat often were the most shocking, testing positive for 12 million counts of bacteria, writes ABC-13 News.
The fungi and bacteria that are responsible for athletes foot, plantar warts, staph infections, and ringworm, among others, are commonly found on yoga mats since they thrive in warm, dark, moist environments.
So, not cleaning your mat can be pretty gross.
Its important to keep in mind that if youre cleaning your yoga matbut not disinfecting ityou might not be doing enough to actually get rid of these germs. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, while cleaning removes germs, disinfecting kills germsand although each method individually works, you need to do both to fully sanitize your mat.
How Often Should You Replace Your Yoga Mat
every six to 12 monthsBetween the sweating and stretching and balancing, it will eventually shows signs of wear and tear that will impact your yoga practice. The general rule of thumb is you should replace your mat every six to 12 months, but with everyones yoga practice being different, its important to be aware of the warning signs.
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How To Keep A Yoga Mat Sticky
Sticky mats are meant to provide better traction while in tough yoga poses, which is why it can throw cramp in your practice when your mat loses its sticky texture. Don’t throw your non-sticky mat out just yet — you may be able to bring it back to life with some extra care and precaution in the future. By keeping your yoga mat sticky, there’s nothing to stand between you and the perfect Downward Dog.
Step 1
Clean your mat after every use. Sweat, dust and dirt can accumulate on the sticky surface of your mat, turning it from sticky to slippery. Mix a cup of water and a few drops of dish or laundry detergent in a bottle and spritz your mat after each class. Wipe it down with a clean towel and allow it to air dry.
Step 2
Allow your mat to ir dry after usage and cleaning. Rolling your mat up while it’s still wet can break down some of the fabric or plastic so the mat becomes less sticky over time. Avoid letting your mat be in the sun, which can turn the material brittle — definitely not conducive to perfect practice.
Step 3
Check the floor in your studio before you lay your mat down. Since dust and dirt can sticky to the surface of your mat and change the texture, a broom and a dustpan before class can go a long way. A good studio will have bare, clean floors, but don’t be afraid to ask for a quick cleanup if your studio floor has debris. It’ll save the life of your sticky mat.
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