Ayur Yog Mantra

Thinking how often you should clean the yoga mat? Read on to know all about it.

With regular use, the yoga mat can get dirty, sweaty and even stink which won’t be a pleasant yoga experience. Skincare products, oils, sweat and dirt can penetrate the mat surface and reduce its durability. It can also make it difficult to practice yoga as it can make you slide. A mandatory cleaning is essential to keep the gunk off the mat. Craig Stiff, the director at Manduka suggests cleaning your yoga mat after every use.

How to Clean Lululemon Yoga Mat?

Lululemon yoga mats are soft, mushy and can be expensive. Hence, you want to keep it clean so that it lasts longer and don’t have to replace it anytime soon. That said, here is an easy way to clean your lululemon mat easily.

• Take 1 fresh lemon, a box of baking soda and some water.
• Mix the lemon with one tsp of baking soda and 1 cup of water.
• Pour this on your mat and gently scrub your mat using a clean rag.
• Let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
• Rinse it well using warm water.
• Dry your mat naturally.

How to Clean Manduka Yoga Mat?

Manduka Yoga mat is available in different materials and there are different methods to clean them.

• PRO Series – PRO, PROlite, PRO Travel – these yoga mats are made using closed-cell material. This means nothing gets absorbed into the mat. Hence, they can be cleaned thoroughly every time.
• eKO Series – eKO, eKO Lite, eKO SL – these mats are made using natural rubber (another closed-cell material). These mats can be cleaned and disinfected easily but need to be dried properly.
• GRP Series – GRP, GRP Lite, Adapt – these mats are made using open cell PU and rubber. Their goal is to absorb moisture and provide maximum grip when they get wet. So, make sure to thoroughly clean these mats as they need the most attention and care due to the absorbent material.
• Entry Series – Manduka X, Begin & Welcome Mats – made using a TPE closed-cell material, nothing can be absorbed into the mat. You need to clean the mat thoroughly every time to get rid of oils and dirt.

How to clean Yoga mat naturally?

Many users in reddit offer solutions on how to wash yoga mat. Here are a few of the solutions.

1. Be conscious of when you should wash your mat. You should wash your yoga mat completely every couple of months. This will extend the life of your mat and prevent smelling or transferring bacteria to your skin.

• If you practice yoga every day, wash your mat once a month, especially in summer.
• If your yoga mat is peeling, it’s time to buy a new mat.

2. Soak your yoga mat in a solution of warm water and mild detergent. Allow it to soak for a few minutes to get rid of dirt, oils or any odor.

• Don’t use too much detergent. You want just enough soap to clean the mat.
• Some people use vinegar to clean the yoga mat. Be aware that it can leave an unpleasant smell on the surface. Also, based on the material of your yoga mat, vinegar can degrade the quality of the mat.

3. Handwash the mat using a soft cloth. After soaking your mat for a few minutes, use a soft cloth to wash both sides of the mat. Wipe both sides thoroughly.

• Make sure to wipe each side gently. Don’t rub harshly that you pull off any chunks.
• If you don’t notice any bubbles on the detergent solution, that’s okay. Remember that you only want detergent to clean the mat. Too much detergent can make the mat slippery.

4. Rinse the mat in clean water. After cleaning the mat using detergent, refill the tub with clean water. This will remove any residues of the soap and reduce the risk of a slippery mat.

• Rinse the mat till you notice that the water is clear.
• If the water is not clear, wash it again using a soft cloth.

5. Remove excess water from the mat. Lay the mat flat on a dry towel. Now roll them together and squeeze out the remaining water.

• Do not wring your yoga mat as it can wrinkle or tear the mat.
• Use hangers to hang up your mat. Note that it may leave marks.
• If you have a laundry rack, place your yoga mat over it for effective drying.
• Do not put a yoga mat in a clothes dryer as it can be hazardous.

How to clean a yoga mat with vinegar?

Use a simple vinegar and water solution to clean and disinfect your yoga mat at home.

• Mix 50/50 white vinegar and water with few drops of essential oil. The essential oil is to remove the unpleasant smell of vinegar.
• Grab a clean rag cloth, dip it in the mixture and wipe your mat with gentle pressure.
• Let it rest with the solution for 2 minutes and then rinse your mat with warm water.
• Let the mat air dry.

Where to buy a clean yoga mat?

There are many sites through which you can buy Yoga mats such as Manduka, Gaiam, or Lululemon.

How to clean a yoga mat using rubbing alcohol?

This is another good way to remove sweat stains from yoga mat.

• To clean your yoga mat with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl), mix three parts of water with one part of hydrogen peroxide or isopropyl in a spray bottle.
• Mist the mat surface till it is visibly wet.
• Don’t wipe the sanitizing solution.
• Hang it to dry on an indoor drying rack or outdoor line (using cloth pins).

Many brands such as Lululemon, Manduka and Gaiam offer different types of yoga mat that are made of exceptional quality but also last long. If you have purchase an exercise mat from any of these brands, here are few tips on how to wash each of them specifically.

How do I clean my eKO mat?

• Do not soak or submerge the mat in water.
• The company recommends using Manduka’s Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore cleaning solution on the entire surface.
• Let the cleaner sit for 5 minutes.
• Now gently use a clean cloth to wipe the mat dry before using.

NOTE:

• Don’t use a garden hose to clean your mat.
• Don’t put it in the bathtub, shower, or washing machine.
• Don’t use a vacuum cleaner, as it will damage the mat beyond repair.
• Do not leave the mat exposed to high sunlight.
• Don’t use any type of soap for cleaning, as it can reduce the performance of the mat.
• Don’t use the salt method for eKO mats.

How do I care for my Pro mat?

The quality of the PRO mat will improve through regular use and as the mat ages, it creates a more surface roughness and resistance against slippage.

• To maintain the Manduka’s Pro mat in good condition, wipe it down after every exercise with Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh.
• Spray the entire surface of the mat.
• Use a clean rag to wipe the mat dry.
• Don’t ever soak, shower or submerge your mat in water.
• Store in a cool, dry place.

For a Deeper Clean:

• Spray the cleaner generously until the mat is visibly wet.
• Let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
• Using a clean rag gently scrub the areas with dirt or stains.
• Dry your mat before rolling or using it.

To Thoroughly Disinfect Your Manduka Mat: Use Manduka’s Botanical Disinfecting Cleaner.

How to clean GRP Open Cell Yoga Mat?

The (GRP Series) of Manduka is designed to absorb moisture and should never be treated with disinfectant or detergent. This is because the liquid will be absorbed into the mat making it difficult to clean the mattress.

Manduka recommends using their GRP Yoga Mat Restore Cleaner to clean, condition and prevent the buildup of residues on the mat surface. It also helps in maximizing the performance and durability of your mat.

• Use a clean wet cloth with water.
• Squeeze out excess water.
• Pump foam into the damp cloth and apply pressure to wipe the surface of the mat.
• Use 2-4 pumps of restorative solution for each use.
• Repeat this process until the entire mat surface is clean.
• Rinse the cloth thoroughly and wipe the mat using fresh water.
• Use a dry cloth to get rid of any excess water.
• Hang the mat to air dry before rolling and storing.

How do I care for my BEGIN mat?

• Use Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh after each use.
• Spray the complete surface of the mat.
• Use a clean rag to wipe the mat dry.
• Never soak or shower your mat in water.
• Store the mat in a cool, dry place.

For a Deeper Clean:

Use the best yoga mat cleaner by Manduka.

• Spray generously until the mat is visibly wet.
• Let it sit for 1-2 minutes.
• Use a clean rag and gently scrub the areas with dirt or stains.
• Dry your mat before use.

To Thoroughly Disinfect Your Mat: Use Manduka’s Botanical Disinfecting Cleaner.

How to clean the Gaiam yoga mat?

As per Gaiam, you can clean your mat using any of the methods listed above – vinegar + water, detergent + water, or any one of the solutions mentioned above. They recommend air drying your mat after cleaning.

How often should I clean the yoga/exercise mat after use?

Make sure to clean your mat at least once a month (general use) or once a week (regular use). The more you use, sweatier and dirtier it would become, especially during warmer climates.

How to clean yoga mat in the washing machine?

While some yoga mats are hand-washable, some can be used in the washing machine. Make sure to clean the mat in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. Just make sure that you read the cleaning instructions of the mat first.