Everyone appreciates the benefits of yoga- it enhances flexibility and muscle strength, balances body metabolism, reduces weight, enhances athletic performance, protects from injury, and enhances respiration and energy. People purchase yoga equipment every day but a lot of them don’t know how to clean a yoga mat.
When they buy mats, they don’t get value for their money and it’s not supposed to be so. If you want to know how to clean a yoga mat, there are some materials required.
We are going to look at these materials based on the 3 techniques of cleaning a yoga mat: Cleaning using solutions, deep cleaning using soap or dishwashing solution, or full machine submersion.
Are you ready to delve in?
Let’s go
How to clean a yoga mat: Things you need to get the job done!
The materials required for cleaning a yoga mat include
- Yoga Mat (Of course)
- White Vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Sponge
- Soap
- Teatree oil
- Laundry detergent
- Washcloth
You will see how all of these materials fall under the 3 techniques of yoga mat cleaning.
1. Cleaning using solutions:
It’s not difficult to get yoga mat cleaning solutions in stores or marketplaces. You can get them in different sizes and at affordable rates.
Or, you can make your own at home. How?
Get your spray bottle. Take 1-2 teaspoons of the white vinegar and add inside the spray bottle. Get the water and fill the bottle to the brim. You can add 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil if you wish. The function of the white vinegar is to serve as an antibacterial agent, while the water helps to dilute its strength and limit the strong vinegar odor.
If you don’t have tea tree oil, lavender oil can be a good substitute.
Mix thoroughly. Once done, take the solution and spray liberally over the mat. Then use the washcloth and wipe it off. Air dry when done.
This technique is for cleaning yoga mats immediately after practice.
2. Cleaning using soap or dishwashing solution
Maybe you’ve become so busy that you didn’t have time to wash your yoga mat after some weeks. This means that the mat needs more than just a cleaning solution. It requires soap or a dishwashing solution.
Rub the soap all over the sponge or add a drop of the dishwashing mix to the sponge. Scrub your mat gently using the softer side to avoid mat damage. Once it has been thoroughly washed, wipe the mat with a washcloth or paper towel, and allow to air dry.
Disclaimer: this works best for rubber and PVC yoga mats. It doesn’t work with hemp or cotton mats.
3. Full machine submersion
This works well with cotton or hemp yoga mats. Ensure read the cleaning recommendations before doing it though.
Put the mat washing machine. Allow it to soak, then add a light/mild detergent to the machine. Set the machine to ‘gentle’ or ‘delicate’ cycle. When done, air dry and hang your mat.
