| Cleaning your yoga mat is quite simple, but there are | | | | sun to dry. You can also roll your mat in a large towel |
| certain things that should be kept in mind if you want to | | | | and leave overnight before hanging to wind dry. |
| get the best life from your mat. The most obvious | | | | Some people claim that the following can be used |
| thing is to read the manufacturer's instructions very | | | | instead of soap to clean your yoga mat: (1) mixing 2 |
| carefully. This is of course common sense for any | | | | cups of water and a teaspoon of baking soda, (2) |
| item of clothing since different materials require | | | | hydrogen peroxide, (3) a few drops of tea tree oil with |
| different approaches. The problem for some is that | | | | water and my favorite (4) a 1/2 teaspoon of Dr. |
| they lost the original washing instructions. The best | | | | Bronner's Peppermint soap in a bowl of water. It smells |
| course of action is to make use of non-abrasive | | | | great. |
| cleaning methods. | | | | Cotton yoga mats can easily be cleaned by throwing it |
| Washing your yoga mat is very important. Hygiene is | | | | into the washing machine, or wash it by hand. When |
| always a big concern and dirty mats give bacteria | | | | using a washing machine, remember to remove it |
| chance to grow. Furthermore, never share your mat. | | | | before the spins cycle since this can damage the |
| Sharing your mat with a sweating partner can result in | | | | shape of certain mats. Furthermore, do not tumble-dry |
| an unwanted fungal or bacterial infection. | | | | your cotton mats, since the heat can damage the |
| Using your mat on the floor, or outdoors cause it to | | | | fibers. Rather let it dry out naturally in the sun or wind. |
| become dirty. Also, some yoga sessions can lead to | | | | Prevention is always better than cure. Carry a handy |
| excessive sweating, which are absorbed by some | | | | spray bottle and some wipes with you to class. A |
| yoga mats. Most people simply wash their yoga mats | | | | very effective all-natural mat cleaning spray can easily |
| themselves and hang them in the sun to dry. Others | | | | be made yourself. Add three drops of tea tree oil, two |
| prefer to send their mats to the dry cleaner. Most | | | | drops of peppermint oil, and two drops of lavender oil |
| sticky mats are made of rubber and therefore, quite | | | | and mix it thoroughly with water in a spray bottle. After |
| easy to clean. If it is slightly soiled, simply use a spray | | | | each workout, quickly spray your mat and wipe it |
| bottle and lightly damp your mat. Use a simple soapy | | | | down. Avoid using any wipes that are alcohol based, |
| solution of three cups of lukewarm water and four | | | | rather choose natural wipes. |
| drops of dishwashing liquid. | | | | Sometimes, not matter how well you look after your |
| Wipe the mat and let it dry thoroughly. For tougher | | | | yoga mat, cleaning it is no longer feasible. It would |
| stains, simply wash them with soapy water and a soft | | | | simply be better to throw it out and buy yourself a |
| brush, similar to washing your car mats. Sometimes it | | | | new mat. These quick cleanings will decrease the |
| may be necessary to soak the mat in a solution of | | | | need for heavy cleanings dramatically. Always |
| warm water and mild soap. Just be careful. Do not | | | | consider the condition of your yoga mats carefully. At |
| use too much soap, since it can cause problems. Even | | | | times it may be best to discard your mat and rather |
| if you thoroughly dry your yoga mat, using too much | | | | buy a new one. |
| soap can cause an invisible residue that makes the | | | | With these tips, you can however make the best of |
| yoga mat extremely slippery when you start perspiring. | | | | your yoga mat and keep it in pristine condition for |
| Rinse the mat well to remove soap and hang in the | | | | many months to come. |