Yoga mats are one of the most essential pieces of equipment for those who participate in yoga. They will cushion you as you complete your various poses.
Over time, your yoga mat will gradually begin to become dirty and stained. This will be especially true if you use it a lot or if you regularly have quite intense yoga sessions. As a result, you will need to clean it routinely. To help you, this guide will explain how to clean your yoga mat. It will also give you some top tips to ensure the cleaning method is as smooth as possible
What You Will Need
The pieces of equipment that you will need for these instructions are easy to come by and are cheap to purchase. Most people will already have access to these items.
- A yoga mat – this will be the item you will be cleaning and so it will obviously be required.
- Warm water – this will be used at a few different stages of the cleaning process. Hot water will need to be used as it is better for sanitizing objects.
- Mild detergent – strong detergents will be too potent for this. Instead, weaker detergents such as soap should be used.
- A sink or bathtub – this will be needed to soak and wash the yoga mat. Whether you use a sink or bathtub will depend on whether you own a bath and what size your mat is.
- A pair of gloves – though not essential, it is advised that you wear gloves when washing your yoga mat. These gloves will protect your hands. This is particularly recommended if your skin is damaged or sensitive.
- A cloth – a clean cloth will be needed to scrub your mat.
- A hanger – this object will be required toward the end of the cleaning process, namely for drying the mat.
Instructions
- Prewash your mat by leaving it to soak in hot water mixed with some weak detergent. This will get rid of some of the initial stains. In addition, it will get rid of some of the unappealing smells. Be sure to not use too much detergent. Otherwise, you could damage or discolor the mat. If your mat smells really bad, use a detergent with a storing scent to mask this odor. You can do this stage in your sink or if you have one, a bathtub. This will be an ideal solution if you have a larger mat.
- After soaking the mat, you can begin hand washing it. It is recommended that you wear gloves for this stage since detergents can be harmful to your skin. To hand-wash your yoga mat, scrub it with a cloth. Scrub the entirety of the mat, though focus on dirtier or discolored areas.
- Now you will need to get rid of any remaining detergent in your mat. To do this, run it under warm water or again leave it to soak. Rinse it, allowing all of the water and detergent to come out of it. You should only finish this stage once the water rinsed out of the mat is clear and does not contain any bubbles.
- Shake off any remaining moisture from your mat.
- Leave your yoga mat to dry. To do this, drape it from a hanger. If your mat is still quite wet, you should leave a bowl or bucket underneath it to prevent this water from damaging your floor or causing someone to slip. If you use a hanger with clips, such as a pant or trouser hanger, it might create small indentations in your mat. This is something to be aware of, particularly if you are concerned about damaging the mat. Not all mats are suitable to be put in tumble dryers. Therefore, you should avoid doing this unless it says otherwise on the label of the mat.
- Enjoy your mat and continue practicing yoga! Your mat will now be ready for the next use. Be sure to repeat the instructions above whenever you want to clean it.
Handy Tips
- Do not put your yoga mat directly in the sun. Doing so will make its color fade.
- Be sure to wash your hands and feet before using your mat. Otherwise, you will transfer dirt onto the mat.
- Only store your mat once it has completely dried. This may take some time, so it is best to merely leave it to dry on its own.
- Replace your mat if it is damaged or too dirty to completely clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Clean My Yoga Mat?
This will depend. One method is to do it routinely, such as once every week or once every month. Of course, if you use it constantly you should aim to clean it more frequently. In warmer weather, it is advisable to wash your mat more routinely.
The other option is to clean your mat once it needs to be washed. You can tell if your yoga mat has reached this stage because it will start to have an unpleasant odor. Additionally, you will also be able to identify this problem by the presence of stains or dirt on your mat.
Can Yoga Mats Be Safely Put In The Washing Machine?
Some mats will be safe to put in your washing machine. Others will not be, as they could lose structural integrity or begin to fade. To check if a mat is okay to be cleaned using this method, you should double-check the product’s label.
If there is no label, you may want to look online and read through the product’s information. Here, it will likely say whether it is safe to put it through the washing machine.
Closing Remarks
Though cleaning your yoga mat frequently might appear to be a strenuous chore, it is necessary for hygiene purposes. If uncleaned for a long period of time, your mat will be dirty, smelly, and is less likely to be long-lasting.
To prevent your mat from getting to this stage, we highly advise following these easy-to-follow instructions. With them, your mat will appear clean and will smell fresh.
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