3 Different Ways To Clean Your Yoga Mat

A pure connection of body and mind, yoga, which helps in detoxification of the body, surely requires you to keep your yoga mat clean. Yes, the often neglected yoga mat. It works as the most important supporting agent during yoga activities yet we get laziest when it comes to cleaning the yoga mat. In this article, we will educate you about the possible ways by which you can clean your yoga mat.

Why is a yoga mat used?

To provide a better grip during the poses of yoga, yoga mats have been used for a long time. People have been using different alternatives to yoga mats since ancient times. The use of tiger or deer skin rug was very common in old times to practice yoga poses. With the passage of time, due to scarcity and high prices of such rugs, people moved on to the commercial yoga mats made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), or other natural resources. These mats provide friction against the floor, so one won’t slip while performing yoga moves.

How does it become dirty?

Germs, bacteria, and fungi, though can’t be seen with naked eyes but are everywhere in the environment. Whether you perform yoga in a club or in the open air on the park’s ground, your mat is going to get dirty. And by dirty we don’t mean only the sweat or oil from your body, but all the harmful microorganisms will also find a home on your yoga mat.

According to research, a yoga mat consistently used for a month or more usually attracts more than 10 million bacteria and fungi. Sounds quite dirty, right? Now imagine getting these bacteria and fungi to work and causing your Athlete’s foot or other serious health issues. Definitely a horrible thought.

That’s why it is imperative to clean and disinfect your yoga mat regularly to avoid any health problems.

How often does your yoga mat need cleaning?

The cleaning of your yoga mat varies depending on the frequency of your yoga sessions. If you keep using it on a daily basis. It’s better to give it a deep cleaning after a week or two. In between, you can keep wiping its surface after every session. If you use it rarely, then you need to clean its surface after every session, disinfect it and store it for the next session.

How to clean your yoga mat? 3 different ways

This might be something holding you back from cleaning your yoga mat. But no worries, we have a simple solution for your yoga mat cleaning. No need to buy expensive products or to follow lengthy procedures, just small steps, and your mat is as good as new. Though bacteria and fungi will lose their home, that’s what we’ve been aiming for. Let’s learn 3 techniques by which you can clean your yoga mat.

1: With Dish Soap

The simplest way to clean your yoga mat is to use dish soap. Add a few drops of dish soap into a bucket full of water. Dip your mat in that solution for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, take out the mat and use a soft piece of cloth to clean the surface of the mat from both sides. Rinse your mat and hang it in a shady place so it will drip all the water.

Tip: If your mat is full of sweat, grease, and oil then add a tablespoon of baking soda into the dish soap solution. Baking soda will remove all the stains.

2: Vinegar Solution

Vinegar has been acknowledged for its cleaning qualities. To clean your yoga mat with vinegar, add vinegar to water in a ratio of 1:3. Mix it well. You can make this solution in a spray bottle so you can take it anywhere with you to give your yoga mat a cleaning session. To clean your mat, simply spray the vinegar solution on its surface and clean it with a soft damp cloth. After cleaning, wash the cloth and rub it on the mat’s surface again to make sure it has been cleaned properly.

3: Yoga Mat Cleaners

If you find it hard to make cleaning solutions yourself to clean your yoga mat, you can always pick a yoga mat cleaner available in the market. These cleaning solutions come under different brands with different compositions of dishwashing soap, vinegar, baking soda, and other chemicals.

Tip: Never use a harsh cleaner, for example, the cleaner containing bleach. Such cleaners will only worsen the condition of your mat and will fade its color as well.

Pro-Tip

Try not to wash your yoga mat in washing machines until it is directed by its manufacturers. It is recommended to wash or clean yoga mats in warm water, with gentle hands to avoid crumbling.

How to Disinfect your Yoga Mat?

Washing alone won’t clean your yoga mat entirely. Disinfecting your yoga mat is as important as washing it. To kill bacteria and fungi living on your yoga mat, use high-quality disinfecting sprays that claim to kill bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Try disinfecting your mat every other week to avoid any health issues.

To disinfect the yoga mat, spray the disinfectant on the dry surface of the mat from a distance of 6-8 inches. Let the disinfectant remain on the mat for 5 minutes so it settles down and then let it do its magic. Wipe off the surface with a damp cloth to remove the disinfectant.

Tips to Keep Your Yoga Mat Clean

Though cleaning your yoga mat regularly is essential, there are a few things that you can do to keep your mat clean for a long time.

• Always wash your hands and feet before stepping on the yoga mat, that’ll keep most of the germs and dust away from the mat.
• Keep a towel over your yoga mat while practicing yoga. The towel will absorb your sweat and oil and will prevent your yoga mat from getting dirty.
• After every yoga session, do a quick cleaning of your yoga mat with a DIY spray made of water and vinegar or you can simply use any disinfectant to clean its surface. It will clean any possible germs that your mat caught during your session.
• After cleaning your yoga mat, always let it dry completely to avoid the growth of any harmful microorganisms or the chances of dust getting stuck on it.
• Store your mat in a room where it’s a cool and dry environment. It’s always better to keep it in a place that does not face the sun, so its lifespan can be increased.

Conclusion

To achieve the milestones of yoga, cleaning your yoga mat regularly is necessary. Whether you do it with dish soap or a vinegar solution, you just need to keep it clean for your next session. Only then you’ll be able to practice your yoga session in good health and in a good mood. That’s a promise.