A big difference between practicing yoga at home and in a studio is that unless you do it yourself, your yoga mat isn’t always cleaned. Not sure how to clean yoga mats to actually keep them free of Germs and stench are? No problem! Here’s everything you need to know about disinfecting and deep cleaning your yoga mat. Read on to learn how to clean your yoga mat…
How often do you clean your yoga mat?
What is actually in your mat?
How to clean your yoga mat
Your yoga mat is dirty. I’m sorry to tell you this, but she is. And now it’s more important than ever to regularly clean the surfaces you come into contact with. This also includes your fitness equipment at home such as exercise and yoga mats. The rule is that the sweatier or dirtier your mat is, the more important it is to clean it after every yoga class.
Proper cleaning of yoga mats is a two-step process. Each step serves its own purpose, so it’s important not to skip any of them.
Before you roll your mat, you need to make sure it is clean
How to disinfect your yoga mat
The key to disinfecting the surface is killing germs, bacteria, and fungi—including the kind that cause athlete’s foot, plantar warts, and ringworm. These can actually live invisibly on your yoga mat. In a studio, the spray bottles and towels or antibacterial wipes are intended for this.
Main goal – kill all germs, bacteria and fungi
At home, you can disinfect your yoga mat with the same solution most studios use. The goal is to mix water with white vinegar and tea tree oil, which have proven antibacterial properties. You should use equal parts water and vinegar, plus a few drops of tea tree oil.
Spray with disinfectant
Then roll it up
Ready for the next yoga class
Be sure to clean both sides of your yoga mat and allow the solution to sit long enough for the mat to air dry before cleaning.
How often you need to sanitize your yoga mat depends on how often you practice at home, but sanitizing at least once a week is recommended. If you go back to a studio, then you should disinfect your mat before and after each use.
Keep your yoga mat clean!
You can easily mix together a homemade cleaning agent
How to clean your yoga mat
To really get rid of the sweat, dirt and debris that accumulates over time, you should clean your mat regularly. But how often should you do that? That’s up to you, but treat your yoga mat the same way you treat your bed linen.
A good rule of thumb is to clean your yoga mat after every other practice.
You can clean your yoga mat the same way you wash your hands – with water and dish soap. For example, you can put your mat in the bath or shower and scrub and rinse it thoroughly. Then let them air dry and only then roll them up.
Thoroughly clean the mat with water and washing-up liquid
Extra tip: Actually, if you use a yoga towel during your yoga practice, your mat won’t be that dirty and sweaty.
Sometimes the best way to minimize a problem is to avoid it in the first place. Yoga towels lie directly on the mat, so they absorb most of the sweat and dirt, rather than the mat itself. They’re also non-slip, so you won’t slip while practicing.
In summer it is particularly recommended to use an additional yoga towel
Can you actually clean your yoga mat in the washing machine?
That’s actually a very good question! Technically, some brands make yoga mats that are actually machine washable. Even if the thought of throwing the mat in the washing machine together with the yoga pants sounds tempting, you should definitely read the instructions for use and proceed exactly as described by the manufacturer. Otherwise your mat may come out of the washing machine in less than good condition.
The usual taboos include turning on the spin cycle and adding harsh detergents. And under no circumstances should you put the mat in the dryer.
Clean your yoga mat according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Spraying down your mat after each use and cleaning it thoroughly at least once a month will keep you fit and healthy, and your yoga practice is sure to be an enjoyable and safe experience. Enjoy your yoga class knowing your yoga mat is clean and free of germs and bacteria!
Clean and safe for mum and child
The best yoga mats are the clean ones
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