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.
Wash yoga mat.
Wash feet and hands before every yoga session.
There is no denying the positive effects of yoga on the body s ability to stay flexible and the mind s ability to achieve clarity.
But it s hard to relax breathe properly and stretch your nose to the floor when you re dealing with a stinky yoga mat many yoga mats are machine washable but some are not so check the label on the mat or contact the manufacturer before putting your mat in the washing machine.
Spot clean both sides of your mat with either a yoga mat cleaner some mat makers sell these cleaners too or a mix of a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid and two cups of warm water in a spray.
So just how dirty is your yoga mat.
Wipe down the mat after every yoga session.
Porat recommends putting your mat in the bathtub or shower and giving it a good scrub and rinse.
Soap is an amphiphile one end of the molecule is attracted to water and repelled by fats and proteins and the other side is attracted to fats and repelled by water she explains adding that it s this dual.
Practicing yoga is an excellent way to keep your body flexible and your mind clear.
You can clean your yoga mat the same way you wash your hands with water and dish soap.
After squeezing out the excess water lay the mat on a dry towel and roll the mat and towel together.
However it can be difficult to get the most out of your practice when the yoga mat itself is emitting a pungent odor.
Tips to keep your yoga mat clean longer.
Stepping on the rolled up mat will squeeze more moisture out of the mat and into the towel.
While lots of yoga mats are advertised as being.
Try manduka mat wash.
Allow it to dry completely before storing.
Next soak the mat in the solution for a few minutes to dislodge dirt.
According to yang it s important to clean your yoga mat thoroughly.
Hang rather than rolling the mat during storage so that it receives good air circulation.
Thoroughly hand wash the mat and rinse in clean water.
Then unroll and hang to air dry.
To wash your yoga mat start by creating a solution of warm water and mild detergent in your bath.
She suggests taking a sponge and body soap to your mat post workout ensuring that the soap has plenty of suds.
Keep the mat away from direct sunlight which can cause it to become brittle.
After the mat has soaked wash both sides of it with a soft cloth.