How to properly care for your yoga mat
Yoga mats are an essential part of yoga practice. Once you find a yoga mat that suits you, you want to use it for a long time. Regular maintenance is necessary to make your yoga mat last longer. Especially after practicing asanas (yoga poses), it is necessary to clean it frequently to remove dirt such as sweat, makeup, and hair. By using the correct maintenance method, you can prevent bacteria, bad odors, and dirt from accumulating on your yoga mat.
Daily care after asana practice
After each yoga class, wipe your yoga mat with a cloth sprayed with water. It is best to wipe it after each use. Many yoga studios have disinfectant wipes and cleaning sprays on hand. Wipe the mat thoroughly from end to end, and roll up the mat after it has dried before putting it away. If you are concerned about dirt, wipe the dirty areas with a cloth soaked in a special yoga mat cleaning cleaner or a homemade solution of skin-friendly mild detergent diluted with water or lukewarm water.
Care Instructions: Daily Care
- Spray the mat with diluted household cleaner or a specialized yoga mat cleaner and wipe the entire mat with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry cloth.
- Dry completely in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
- Once it is completely dry, roll it up and store it.
★Please refrain from using cleaners containing alcohol as they may damage the material.
★ About the eKO series : Only dedicated cleaners can be used.
-Do not use household detergents (neutral detergents).
- Please be careful not to wipe too hard as the paint may come off.
Recommended yoga mat care products
A cleaner containing essential oils to keep your precious mat clean and beautiful. A biodegradable, certified organic mat cleaner that does not contain any alcohol, phosphates, or other ingredients that may deteriorate your mat. Available in two types: "Renew," which can be used for multiple purposes, and "Restore," which restores the color of natural rubber mats, and comes in a variety of scents that help relax and refresh. A maintenance product that will help you use your mat for a longer period of time.
Special care when you are concerned about odor
In hard flows like Ashtanga and power yoga, a lot of sweat can accumulate on the yoga mat and cause odor. Regular special care is required. Yoga mats may also have a unique smell. PVC materials may have a plastic smell, natural rubber materials may have a rubber smell, and printed types may have an ink smell when opened, but these will gradually fade. Special care is also required when you want to reduce the smell unique to these materials. At the end of care, dry the mat completely before storing it to protect it from bacteria and mold.
Care Instructions: Special Care
- Spray the mat with diluted household cleaner or a specialized yoga mat cleaner and wipe the entire mat with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Wipe off with a wet towel.
- Wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry cloth.
- Before rolling up your yoga mat, spread it out in a shady, well-ventilated area.
- Allow to dry completely and then roll it up and store.
★Please refrain from using cleaners containing alcohol as they may damage the material.
★ About the eKO series : Only dedicated cleaners can be used.
-Do not use household detergents (neutral detergents).
- Please be careful not to wipe too hard as the paint may come off.
I just started using the PRO series oil remover.
PRO series yoga mats have oil on the surface that was generated during the manufacturing process. If you are concerned about slipping, scrub the entire surface of the mat with a brush using a dedicated yoga mat cleaning cleaner, a homemade solution of skin-friendly neutral detergent diluted with water or lukewarm water, or coarse salt. This will remove the oil.
procedure
- Use diluted household detergent, a special yoga mat cleaner, or coarse salt and scrub the entire surface of the mat with a brush or sponge.
- Wipe off with a wet towel.
- Wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry cloth.
- Before rolling up your yoga mat, spread it out in a shady, well-ventilated area.
- Dry in the shade for 2 to 3 days, then roll it up and store it.
Method using coarse salt
Care according to the material
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) material cannot generally be washed with water.
PVC has the characteristic of absorbing water easily, and washing it with water will cause it to deteriorate. Therefore, washing with water is generally not recommended. However, recently, washable PVC yoga mats have been sold, so when purchasing, be sure to check whether the mat can be washed with water.
TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) material is water resistant but cannot be washed with water.
TPE's closed cell structure prevents bacteria from breeding inside the mat. For regular maintenance, we recommend spraying mat cleaner or mild detergent diluted with water and gently wiping. Do not soak in water, as with PVC. After cleaning, dry completely in a well-ventilated shade. TPE is also an environmentally friendly material that does not produce harmful substances such as dioxins even when incinerated. Do not use the spin-dry function of a washing machine, spin drum, strong detergent, or dryer.
Natural rubber material cannot be washed with water, just like PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
For regular maintenance, we recommend spraying water and wiping gently. It is an environmentally friendly material that is returned to the natural soil, and its characteristic is that it has a good texture and is soft, so it has a high grip that is important for yoga poses. However, it has a unique smell and cannot be used by people who are allergic to the ingredients contained in natural rubber.
Open cell material can be cleaned with a special cleaner
This hot yoga mat has an open cell surface that is made of absorbent material. You can remove sweat, odors, and dirt that have soaked into the mat with a special cleaner.
Care Instructions: Daily Care
- Spray the mat with diluted household cleaner or a specialized yoga mat cleaner and wipe the entire mat with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Rinse the sponge thoroughly and wipe the mat again.
- Wipe off any remaining moisture with a dry cloth.
- Dry completely in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight.
- Once it is completely dry, roll it up and store it.
Recommended yoga mat care products
A cleaner specially made for the GRP Hot Yoga Mat and all open cell yoga mats
How to store your yoga mat
We recommend using a special yoga mat case to store your yoga mat. UV rays can cause the mat to dry out and discolor, so roll up your yoga mat and place it in the case, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. We do not recommend storing it in your car.
Recommended yoga mat bags
Breathe Easy Yoga Mat Bag A simple mesh mat bag that you won't find anywhere else from Manduka. It's breathable and hygienic as a storage bag. The thick straps allow you to hang it diagonally, and the sturdy stitching makes it durable enough to handle the weight of your anduka yoga mat.
Go Steady 3.0 A large-capacity yoga bag with two compartments for storing your mat and yoga wear. The inner pockets are divided into small compartments, so you can carry your small items neatly. The message printed on the bottom is also stylish.
About useful yoga rugs (yoga towels)
A yoga rug or yoga towel is a rug that you put on top of your yoga mat. It has various benefits such as hygiene and protecting the mat, but it is especially beneficial in hot yoga, where you tend to sweat a lot. Use a yoga rug to extend the life of your favorite yoga mat.
Benefits of Yoga Rugs (Yoga Towels)
- Mat protection & hygiene By placing it on top of your yoga mat, you can keep your yoga mat hygienic without it coming into direct contact with your skin. You don't have to worry about using a shared yoga mat, such as a rental mat. It absorbs sweat and other things, so there is less damage to the mat, and you can keep it clean at any time by simply washing the yoga rug after use.
- Easy to carry It is even lighter than a lightweight yoga mat and can be rolled up or folded compactly, so you can easily carry it when traveling or after work. It is not bulky, so you won't have any trouble finding storage space at home.
- There are a wide variety of colors and prints to choose from depending on your mood , so many people own multiple pairs. Enjoy your favorite style depending on your mood that day.
Recommended yoga rugs and yoga towels
A yoga rug with anti-slip silicone that provides excellent stability . Not only does it absorb sweat quickly, but the surface of the fabric has even more grip when wet. The patented silicone particles "Skidless Technology" firmly adhere to the mat, so you can concentrate on your practice without worrying about it turning over or slipping.
A multipurpose yoga rug that holds your poses firmly. Face towel size. Multipurpose hand-sized towel with suede-like texture and firm holding power. Extremely lightweight yet soft to the touch, durable, absorbent and quick-drying, it can be used on yoga mats as well as in other situations.
What did you think? After use, yoga mats have invisible dirt and sebum on them, and if dust accumulates on top of them, it can take a lot of time to clean them afterwards. If you take good care of your mat, it will be hygienic and will provide a comfortable grip, with less dust and dirt on the surface.