How to clean yoga mat
The yoga mat manufacturer usually gives instructions for the maintenance of your yoga mat. Follow yoga mat manufacturer’s directions if instructions are available. In yoga mat cleaning or washing is of primary importance the type of material your yoga mat is made of. Is it a normal yoga mat made of synthetic materials or one of the newer, all-natural rubber mats, or made of some eco material? Is your yoga mat a padded exercise mat with a foam core?
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Because yoga has special poses and breathing techniques this doesn’t mean that special instructions are necessary for ‘how to clean yoga mat’. A popular belief about yoga is that it is a mysterious practice, but cleaning yoga mats is not rocket science. Carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions before purchasing the mat just like you would with an ordinary article of clothing. This way you can decide for yourself if you would like a high-end dry-clean only yoga mat or a simple machine washable one.
How to Wash Your Yoga Mat
If your yoga mat contains pvc vinyl material you can clean it by using warm water and a grease cutting soap. Yoga mats should be cleaned just after buying it and then every so often – depending on your use. This can be done in a regular manner – that is washing with soap and water and hanging them to air dry. Use only a tiny drop of a gentle soap product. Rinse the mat as thoroughly as possible. Sometimes it is hard to rinse off and out the soap of a mat.
You can use your washing machine but the mats should not be squeezed dry in the washing machine. Do not use the spin cycle for washing, use the gentle agitation cycle only, because the spin cycle with the stretched cloth makes the mat shapeless and practically useless for you.
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Mat disinfectant sprays can also be used and are recommended if many people are using the same yoga mat, in this way you prevent bacterial infections from dirty exercise mats.
People take their yoga mats and put it on the floor when they take part in the yoga classes. Outdoors yoga mats due to unpredictable weather become dusty and very dirty.
Rubber yoga mats could be washed at home in just as you would wash your other mats – with soap, water and a brush. When cleaning yoga mats is no longer feasible, it would be good if you threw it and bought yourself a new one.
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Cotton yoga mats can easily be cleaned at home; all you have to do is throw it in the washing machine, or wash it by hand, although this is unnecessary in most instances.
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Cleaning yoga mats
• The cleaning frequency depends by how often you practice yoga, where you practice, and what type of yoga practice you do. Usually, you can lightly clean your mat regularly to keep it in good shape.
• Both ends of your yoga mat, where your feet and head are, need to be cleaned more thoroughly. Brush with side-to-side motion as it helps to sweep off any remains.
• Air dry your mat for only about five minutes. If your mat is too wet use a towel to dry off extra moisture.
• Regular cleaning of your yoga mat should not take longer than fifteen-twenty minutes.
Scott Hughes on Wed, 15th Aug 2007 10:43 am
Thanks for that information about cleaning yoga mats! Some yoga mats can be put in the washing machine. I try to avoid using dangerous chemicals as much as possible, because I do not want to breathing in any remaining fumes during my workout.
I do my workouts at home with my own mat. I feel bad for people who borrow their mat from a studio, because others use those mats. I bet good studios have effective cleaning procedures, though.