There’s nothing like a great yoga session on a fresh mat to clear your mind and relax your body. Nothing to worry about or smell, just flow. However, many are not aware that their mats need regular cleaning and also wear out. Skin cells, germs, odors, and other contaminants quickly find a home within their cracks and crevices. Imagine flowing into the Child’s Pose on a germ and odor saturated mat. GROSS!
Before you run to the cleaning cabinet and throw harsh chemicals on your mat there are a couple things to consider: material construction and your skin. There are several materials mats are constructed from, we will be focusing on the super popular PCV, natural rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) mats.
PCV mats are probably the most popular because of price. Natural rubber and TPE and growing in popularity because of their environmentally friendly compounds. All these mat come either open or closed cell and this does affect cleaning.
Closed Cell: These are arguably the most common because of price. Often found in general your big box gyms stacked in the corner (GROSS) and as rental in yoga studios. These mats don’t absorb well, are super light weight, and are more slippery when wet from sweat. The pro is that they don’t trap the Funknasty’s as easily as their open cell sister. Still they must be deep cleaned regularly. Once a week depending on use and disinfected before and after each session.
Open Cell: These mats are typically found for sale and used in quality yoga studios, specially hot yoga. They are super absorbent making them idea for hot yoga or with people who sweat excessively. The down side, these mats are more expensive, heavier, and hold moisture. So if you are someone that just rolls up your mat after use and forgets about till next time which is gross, avoid these mats at all cost. They are not for you.
Note that open cell mats should never be shared (best practice never share any mat). Even in the yoga studio, rents will typically be closed cell for hygienic reason. Just like the closed cell they too need to be cleaned routinely, but with greater care. Since open cell mats absorb well, the cleaners you use can also be absorbed and trapped. Greater care must be exercised allowing them to hang and thoroughly air dry.
Cleaning Process (Closed Cell)
• Use skin/environmentally friendly spray cleaning products directly on the mat. (We recommend our Power Shield, also for daily maintenance post-training)
•Wet your mat and with a soft towel or sponge lightly scrub.
•Rinse off (never submerge)
•Air hang dry your mat in sun light
•Never ever roll your mat until fully dry
Cleaning Process (Open Cell)
•Thoroughly wipe down with a dry towel after class.
•If you use a cleaner on the mat, put the cleaner on a towel then apply. This will prevent the products from seeping into the mat and becoming trapped. (We recommend our Power Shield, also for daily maintenance post-training)
•Air dry, but not in direct sunlight
•Never ever roll your mat until fully dry
Finally thought. Mats are unique so check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, which are often listed on the packaging or website.
Happy yogaing, 🙂
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