There is no denying the positive effects of yoga on the body s ability to stay flexible and the mind s ability to achieve clarity.
Wash yoga mat.
Wash feet and hands before every yoga session.
Spot clean both sides of your mat with either a yoga mat cleaner some mat makers sell these cleaners too or a mix of a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid and two cups of warm water in a spray.
Next soak the mat in the solution for a few minutes to dislodge dirt.
Allow it to dry completely before storing.
Soap is an amphiphile one end of the molecule is attracted to water and repelled by fats and proteins and the other side is attracted to fats and repelled by water she explains adding that it s this dual.
After the mat has soaked wash both sides of it with a soft cloth.
Keep the mat away from direct sunlight which can cause it to become brittle.
Then unroll and hang to air dry.
Do buy yoga mat wipes if you re lazy or busy jo sha makes wipes with essential oils that are safe for its mats i e won t cause the mat to become un sticky and asutra makes an all.
However it can be difficult to get the most out of your practice when the yoga mat itself is emitting a pungent odor.
Using a washing machine to clean yoga mats.
Finish by draining the water and rinsing your mat in clean water.
You can clean your yoga mat the same way you wash your hands with water and dish soap.
According to yang it s important to clean your yoga mat thoroughly.
To wash your yoga mat start by creating a solution of warm water and mild detergent in your bath.
Thoroughly hand wash the mat and rinse in clean water.
Try manduka mat wash.
So just how dirty is your yoga mat.
She suggests taking a sponge and body soap to your mat post workout ensuring that the soap has plenty of suds.
Porat recommends putting your mat in the bathtub or shower and giving it a good scrub and rinse.
But it s hard to relax breathe properly and stretch your nose to the floor when you re dealing with a stinky yoga mat many yoga mats are machine washable but some are not so check the label on the mat or contact the manufacturer before putting your mat in the washing machine.
Tips to keep your yoga mat clean longer.
After squeezing out the excess water lay the mat on a dry towel and roll the mat and towel together.
Hang rather than rolling the mat during storage so that it receives good air circulation.
Stepping on the rolled up mat will squeeze more moisture out of the mat and into the towel.
Wipe down the mat after every yoga session.