Each time you use your yoga mat it gets covered in oils dirt and you guessed it plenty of sweat.
Wash yoga mat before first use.
Deciding to into yoga is an exciting first step but the real work begins when you start to search for the perfect yoga mat.
Wash your yoga mat before first use.
Clean your mat regularly you should.
Try manduka mat wash.
If your mat is heavily soiled submerge it in a solution of warm water and mild detergent.
How often to clean a yoga mat.
You will probably want to wash your yoga mat before its first use to remove any rubbery odor and slickness.
The tried and trusted method that i use is to wet a washcloth with soapy water non oil based soap is best and wipe down my yoga mat before using it for the first time as well as once a week throughout its life.
Use very little soap as any residue may cause the mat to become slippery during future use.
Once your mat has soaked for a few minutes use a soft cloth to wash both sides of the mat.
When yoga vida s westra cleans their mats he spritzes both sides with a vinegar and water solution takes a damp wrung out sponge then gives them a good wiping before letting the mats hang dry.
Thoroughly hand wash the mat and rinse in clean water.
After squeezing out the excess water lay the mat on a dry towel and roll the mat and towel together.
In an article for abc 13 melanie rech the laboratory director at emsl analytical examined swabs taken from personal and communal yoga mats mats from the local yoga studio came back the cleanest with 3 million counts of normal environmental bacteria writes ktrk houston.
Depending on the intensity of your sessions you can usually go a week or so before your mat needs a good wipe down.
Hand wash the mat with a soft cloth.
There are a variety of different types of yoga mats you can choose from including ones made out of organic materials models with a variety of designs and even ones that offer additional padding.
Here are some tips for safely cleaning your mat.
Remember all yoga mats are made differently so make sure to check its cleaning instructions and limitations before proceeding with any of these suggestions.
So just how dirty is your yoga mat.
This can be done with warm salt water as well as with the ways recommended below.
Hand wash with soap and water.
It will help remove the oils.
You can tell the areas you use the most because they will likely have a slightly different color to the rest of your mat.