Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Yoga Mat Cleaning Conundrum


I suppose there are two types of people: Those who use metal flatware and those who buy a pack of disposable forks and knives because washing dishes is just too difficult. Not that I've ever heard a yoga instructor read a little verse about this dichotomy at the beginning of class, but it's safe to assume that the way of the yogi is to wash dishes. It's better for the environment. It's a good way to practice discipline. And yoga stands against a disposable culture.

That said, my yoga mat my is filthy dirty and I really want to throw it out and buy a new one. But I know my yoga mat has yet to live its full lifespan. So I will be patient. In the meantime, what's a good way to clean a yoga mat?
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6 comments:

  1. I put mine in the washing machine with a gentle soap and on the gentle cycle every couple of months and then in the dryer. I don't know what of mat u have mine turns out great and even stickier.... in fact I have noticed that a lot of my students have mats that are not sticky so I tell them to wash them and often they are thrilled with the stickiness... I've only had 1 student ruin her mat.
    good luck
    m.

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  2. I bought the cheapest mat that you can buy at Target. I think it is made of plastic or the regular material, whatever that may be. I'm a little afraid that the washing machine would melt it. But I guess that's what cold water is for.

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  3. Use the washing machine! Gentle cycle, cold water, a tiny bit of detergent. Hang dry! DON'T PUT IN DRYER! It can melt on high heat, I've done it. If you must use dryer, use Air setting.

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  4. Try Manduka's chemical free mat washes! www.Manduka.com

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  5. You can spray it with a spray bottle containing detergent and water and blot dry it with a dry soft towel as well. Check out new ones at http://yogamatsforsale.net

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  6. I wash my mat with me when I take a shower. I scrub the mat using a wash cloth and a little bit of laundry soap (preferably Method, 'cuz it's environmentally friendly).

    This doesn't really improve the sticky factor, but it does remove grime and oil from the mat.

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