Can You Wash a Yoga Mat?

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Sweat, dirt and mineral composites are common contributors to a smelly yoga mat. While basic yoga exercise mats are made from a sturdy combination of PVC, latex and plastic, and can be equipment washed, more recent eco-friendly mats are becoming progressively common on the marketplace. If readily available, the maker’s instructions sometimes provide particular directions for how to cleanse your certain mat.

Hand Washing

The December 2001 problem of ‘Yoga Journal’ advises this gentle cleaning approach for any type of yoga mat. For lightly soiled mats, fill a spray bottle with two cups of water and 4 drops of meal soap. Spray the whole mat and rub out the stained locations utilizing a damp sponge and terry cloth towel. If your mat is heavily stained, submerge it in a solution of cozy water and 1 tbsp. of mild cleaning agent for 15 to 30 mins prior to hand-washing the mat with clean water.

Alternative Method

The alternative approach is especially useful for newer environment-friendly mats built from materials such as cotton, jute, hemp, wool and natural rubber. Mix 1 gallon of water with 8 oz. of alcohol, 8 oz. of hydrogen peroxide and ¼ tsp. of lavender and tea tree oils. Shake the combination thoroughly and apply with a wet sponge or spray bottle.

Machine Wash

The Bikram Yoga Decatur site recommends placing conventional yoga exercise mats in a cleaning machine with a percentage of light laundry detergent. Be conservative with the amount of cleaning agent you put in the device, since greater amounts can cause your mat to become slippery by getting rid of the mat’s natural sticky layer. Unroll the yoga exercise mat inside the cleaning equipment so that it’s completely extended, and turn the cleaning machine on a gentle cycle.

Drying Instructions

Once you have finished cleansing your yoga mat, squeeze it securely to launch any sealed water and wipe off excess wetness with a dry terry fabric towel. Put your yoga mat outdoors or in a non-humid place to air dry. Avoid using hairdryers or various other hot-air drying devices that could overheat the yoga mat.

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Can You Wash a Yoga Mat?