Top tips for a clean yoga mat

Although cleaning your yoga mat is easy, a few things should be kept in mind in you want to prolong its life. Obviously, you should read the manufacturer’s instruction with great care. Different type materials require different cleaning methods, so this should be obvious.. Unfortunately, some lost the original washing instructions for their yoga mats. If this happened, the best course of action is to opt for non-abrasive cleaning techniques.

The importance of thoroughly cleaning your yoga mat on occasion cannot be overstressed. Unhygienic mats give ample place for bacteria and fungus to grow and multiply. An unwanted fungal and bacterial infection can result from improperly cleaned yoga mats. This also implies that you should never share your yoga mat with another partner.. Even if you do your best to keep your mat clean, it will be used on floors and even outdoors so it will become dirty over time. Add to this a nice intensive workout and sweat become a reality. Some yoga mats absorb lots of moisture, adding to the problem.

Most people simply wash their yoga mats themselves and hang them in the sun to dry. Others prefer to send their mats to the dry cleaner. Some yoga mats are made of rubber or other synthetic and are thus quite easy to clean. If your mat is only a little dirty, simply spray it with water and wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge. A solution of 3 cups lukewarm water and about 4 drops of dishwashing liquid works quite well. Wipe the yoga mat completely en let it dry. The same principle for washing the rubber mats from your car could apply to more stubborn dirt. Simply wash it with a soft brush and soapy water. In extreme cases, it will be necessary to soak the mat in a solution of warm water and mild soap for some time.

Do not use too much soap, since it can cause problems. Soap can leave an invisible residue that, even after complete drying, can still become slippery the moment you start to perspire during your yoga session. Rinse the mat well to remove soap and hang in the sun to dry. You can also roll your mat in a large towel and leave overnight before hanging to wind dry..

Some people claim that the following can be used instead of soap to clean your yoga mat: (1) mixing 2 cups of water and a teaspoon of baking soda, (2) hydrogen peroxide, (3) a few drops of tea tree oil with water and my favorite (4) a 1/2 teaspoon of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap in a bowl of water. It smells great.

Cotton yoga mats can easily be cleaned by throwing it into the washing machine, or wash it by hand. Just remember to remove a cotton yoga mat from the washing machine before the spins cycle starts. Spinning can damage the shape of certain mats. Try to avoid tumble drying your cotton mats, since they can cause damage. Rather let it dry naturally.

To keep your mat as clean as possible, carry a handy spray bottle and some wipes with you. Taking a spray bottle of water and mixing two drops of peppermint oil, two drops of lavender and three drops of tea tree oil, can give you an excellent all-natural cleaning solution. Simply take the spray bottle and some wipes with you to class. After the session, quickly spray your mat and wipe it down. Try to avoid wipes that contain alcohol since it can damage your mat.

No matter how well you look after your yoga mat, eventually not even regular cleaning will be effective. Just admit it is time for a new mat and throw the old one out..

These tips will, however, increase the life of your yoga mat. Still, always consider the condition of your yoga mat with great care. At times it will be more hygienic to buy a new mat.

With these tips, you can however make the best of your yoga mat and keep it in pristine condition for many months to come.

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SJP Babrevian has been writing online articles for more than 3 years. Come visit his latest website over at www.cottonyogamats.webatu.com/ A nice page to read is about the best Yoga mat of all: the Manduka Yoga Mat.

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