Yoga mat Cleaning: sweat, creams, dirty feet, they endure quite a bit. Discover in this blog the best way to clean yoga mats.
Nothing is more annoying than unpleasant odors during a yoga session. You don’t want to drive yourself crazy with smells during your sweaty Bikram yoga practice. To fully enjoy your session, it is important to keep your yoga mat clean and fresh. This way you keep a lasting relationship with your favorite yoga accessory.
Yoga Mat Cleaning for Different Materials
Before you start cleaning your yoga mat, it is important to know how to do this correctly and for each type of mat, this is different. What is most important take into account is the material of the yoga mat. A yoga mat can consist of different materials:
- PVC
- Natural rubber
- TPE
- 100% cotton or jute
PVC Yoga Mat
Yoga mats made of PVC are durable, wear-resistant and easy to maintain. These mats can withstand sunlight and dirt, so many people use them outdoors. They are suitable for many yoga styles, except for the more intensive yoga styles such as Ashtanga or Bikram.
PVC Yoga Mats with a Closed Cell Surface
These mats have a closed cell surface. This means that the outer layer of the mat is completely closed. This makes it difficult for moisture, skin cells, and sweat to penetrate the mat. The disadvantage is that the rough and sticky surface becomes smoother the more you sweat. So yes, there is a chance that you will slip!
Lifespan PVC Yoga Mat
A mat made of PVC can last up to ten years! It is of course important that you clean it regularly. Fortunately, cleaning a PVC mat is super easy!
Cleaning Yoga Mat PVC with a Yoga Mat Cleaner
Because of the dense cell structure, you can clean this mat in different ways. The fastest way is to use a special yoga mat cleaner. You spray it on the mat and wipe it off with a damp cloth. For a thorough cleaning, leave the spray on for a few minutes. Make sure to let the mat air dry before rolling it up again.
PVC Yoga Mat Cleaning in the Washing Machine
For a spick and span result, you can wash the mat at 30 degrees in the washing machine. However, we do not recommend this because the mat is too thick to spin properly. Do you want to wash anyway? First check the packaging or description to see if your mat can handle this. Add a little detergent for a fresh scent, then let the mat dry by hanging it up.
Rinse Your PVC Yoga Mat in the Shower
If you want to keep the mat clean, it is better to quickly scrub your mat under a cold shower. Make sure you let it dry well before you try another round of Hatha yoga.
Natural Rubber Yoga Mat
Yoga mats of this material have a good grip, but are not as strong as PVC yoga mats. It is important to avoid using these outside in direct sunlight as much as possible. In addition, it is best to store it in the shade or in a bag. They are especially suitable for Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar and Power Yoga.
Yoga Mat Natural Rubber Open Cell Structure
Unlike the PVC yoga mats, the rubber mat has an open cell structure. Because the outer layer is not sealed, you cannot put the mat in the washing machine. In addition, it is better not to immerse it in water or rinse it off in the shower. If the mat absorbs the water, it becomes very heavy and difficult to dry.
Natural Rubber Yoga Mats Lifespan
Rubber has a lifespan of about five years. And of course you want to get the most out of this!
Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Cleaning with a Special Yoga Mat Cleaner
To clean a yoga mat made of natural rubber, it is best to use a special like this yoga mat cleaner with rosemary scent. The combination of powerful organic ingredients with other natural substances disinfects the mat. At the same time, it dispels the characteristic smell of rubber, if you don’t like this.
Cleaning Natural Rubber with Natural Means
You can also use other natural remedies to clean your mat, such as a little bit of tea tree oil. Many other Essential Oils will also do the job. It is important not to use alcohol or petroleum based cleaning agents. If you do this, there is a chance that the natural rubber will break down and dry out.
TPE yoga mat
TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) is a biological, synthetic rubber. The material is completely free of harmful substances and is 100 percent biodegradable. The perfect option if you want an eco-friendly mat!
TPE Yoga Mats Have an Open Cell Structure
This material also has an open cell structure. The good grip of the mat makes it suitable for different types of yoga. There is less chance of slipping in a sweaty yoga class than with a PVC mat. The downside is that dander and sweat easily penetrate the mat.
Lifespan of a TPE Yoga Mat
The soft and elastic material makes it prone to folding. Always roll up the mat neatly. Just like a yoga mat made of natural rubber, a yoga mat made of TPE lasts about five years.
Cleaning a TPE Yoga Mat with Yoga Mat Cleaner
Again, the fastest and easiest way to clean the mat is to use a yoga mat cleaner. Then wipe the mat with a damp cloth. For more intensive use, you can let the cleaner work for a while. Wipe it well and let it dry before you roll up or use the mat again.
Cleaning TPE with Your Own Solution
Another way is to make your own cleaning solution. Then use a gentle and natural cleaning agent that you mix with a large dose of water. Do not use vinegar, because neither natural rubber nor TPE react well to it.
Yoga mat of 100% Cotton or Jute
These yoga mats are suitable for all yoga styles and are widely used in Ashtanga, Bikram and Vinyas. Because the mats of this material are thinner, they are often used as an extra layer on a PVC, natural rubber or TPE yoga mat. Instead of cotton or jute yoga mats, you can also Buy Yoga Towels.
Cotton And Jute Yoga Mat Open Cell Structure
It probably comes as no surprise, but these yoga mats also have an open cell structure. Due to the high absorption, the mat becomes stiffer as it becomes moister. That is why it is often used in more intensive yoga styles! The jute yoga mat has a more fibrous structure, is slightly rougher than cotton and absorbs less moisture.
Longevity Cotton and Jute Yoga Mat
The disadvantage of a cotton yoga mat is that it lasts shorter than yoga mats made of other materials. Cotton fibers wear out a lot faster than PVC, natural rubber or TPE. With a jute yoga mat, your relationship will last a little longer. This yoga mat mainly consists of PVC, and that is one of the stronger materials!
Cleaning a Cotton Yoga Mat in the Washing Machine
A cotton yoga mat can be washed. It is best to do this by hand at 30 degrees. You can also easily put the mat in the washing machine on a short and gentle cycle. To prevent unsightly folds, hang the yoga mat completely out on the clothesline.
Cleaning Jute Yoga Mats with a Special Yoga Mat Cleaner
The cotton yoga mat gets cleanest in the washing machine. It is better not to put the jute yoga mat in the washing machine, because it consists largely of PVC. And you guessed it: The jute mat is best cleaned with a special yoga mat cleaner. Nice and easy!
Yoga Mat Cleaning with Mat Cleaners from Spiru
At Spiru you can buy special yoga mat cleaners that dry quickly and do not stick. This means that after a quick cleaning you can go straight to the next session. Your yoga pal doesn’t have to take a long time to dry. Perfect for a yoga school with back to back classes! These are the benefits of the yoga mat cleaners from Spiru:
- Fast and easy to use
- Nice scents
- Natural and organic
- Disinfecting
- Large and small packages
Fast and Easy to Use
Need a quick clean before the next class starts? Then our yoga mat cleaners are your lifesaver! Point the bottle downwards and spray the spray onto the mat several times. Let the spray act briefly and wipe the mat with a cloth. Your beloved mat is immediately clean and non-slip. You can then quickly roll up the mat again or leave it for the next yoga class. Ready to go!
Nice Scents
Not only are the yoga mat cleaners practical to use, they also smell nice! Ideal if you regularly sweat during your yoga exercises, in hot weather, or intensive hot yoga exercises. The fresh scents will ensure that your mat smells like new every time. You can choose from blood orange, rosemary, lemongrass, gingergrass and lavender.
Natural and Organic
The yoga mat cleaners at Spiru are of an organic quality mark. No less than 95% of the active parts come from controlled agriculture. The other ingredients are purely natural. This is not only beneficial for the condition of your yoga mat, but also for the environment!
Disinfecting
The combination of powerful organic ingredients such as rapeseed, essential oils, and other natural substances disinfect the mat. As a result, bacteria, unpleasant odors, and sweat residues do not stand a chance. In addition, it removes all kinds of dirt that you would rather not get on your hands and feet when borrowing someone else’s yoga mat!
Large and Small Packages
If you want to last longer with the yoga mat cleaner, you can opt for a larger bottle. With these bottles you can purchase a spray head yourself. For the yoga studios we also have large-scale mat cleaners with a capacity of 10 liters. With the tap you can dose efficiently. So it will last you a very long time, even if the mats are used intensively!
Top 5 Yoga Mat Cleaners
Here you will find an overview of our top 5 most sold yoga mat cleaners:
- Yogamat Cleaner Rosemary (510 ml)
- Yogamat Cleaner Blood Orange (510 ml)
- Manduka Mat Wash Lavender (237 ml)
- Manduka Mat Wash Gingergrass (56 ml)
- Manduka Mat Wash Lemongrass (56 ml)
Choosing a New Yoga Mat
If the relationship with your beloved mat is beyond salvaging, it’s really time for a new one. Sometimes you need some help choosing a Yoga Mat. It is very useful to know whether a yoga mat is more suitable for Ashtanga or Yin Yoga. You will notice that the right choice also ensures that your relationship with your mat is a long one. You can use a Yoga Bolster for extra support during your yoga session. This way you and your loyal friend can relax extra well!
How do you get the most out of your yoga mat?
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