What Solutions Should You Use to Clean Your Yoga Mat?
There are some great and efficient ways that you can keep your mat clean regularly:
● DIY cleaner: Create a DIY cleaner with a spray bottle, equal parts witch hazel and warm water, and a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil. These oils are both antifungal and antibacterial but only use a few drops at a time—using too much can compromise the innate stickiness of your mat and cause you to slip.
● Yoga mat cleaner: If you want to invest in a commercial cleaner, online stores and specialty brick-and-mortar retailers sell cleaners specifically designed to disinfect yoga mats. These cleaners often feature eco-friendly ingredients and non-alcoholic essential oils that won't damage your mat.
● White vinegar: White vinegar, which has antibacterial properties, is a popular natural cleaning solution that yogis use to disinfect their mats. Just mix equal parts white vinegar and water, spray it on both sides of the mat, and gently wipe it off. Some yoga studios will have a spray bottle handy for students to use at the end of class.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BUY A NEW YOGA MAT?
How can you tell when it's time to get a new mat? Well, if it is affecting your practice then the time is now! Here are some other signs that your yoga mat is at the end of its life:
Thinning – If your mat is looking worn, thin, balding in areas, or the materials are separating then it is probably time to purchase a new one.
Deteriorating – Your mat may be missing small or large chunks. If it is chipping like this or even becoming brittle, it's a good sign you should retire your mat.
Slipping – A good mat should provide a stable foundation free from slippage. If you notice your hands or feet slipping on your mat, then its effectiveness as a proper base for your practice has slipped as well.
Fraying – For cloth mats fraying, holes, or rips are an obvious sign of old age. If your mat's stitching is starting to go, so should your mat.
Smell – A very unpleasant sign of a need for replacement is your mat's smell. If you notice an unpleasant odor, then most likely so does the Yogi practicing next to you. Do everyone a favor and get a new mat.
