It's time to wash up. Follow these steps to easily clean your yoga mat - CNET Leer en español

Whether you're practicing hot yoga or streaming a vinyasa class at home, your yoga mat will eventually get dirty and smelly.

Yoga mats appear to be quite durable, but they are made from materials that can spoil quickly if cleaned incorrectly or used with the wrong products. Follow these simple steps to keep your yoga mat long lasting and fresh and germ-free .

But first ! Because yoga mats are made from many different materials, it's always best to get cleaning instructions from the company that made your mat. If they are not available, follow the tips below.

So you know when to wash your yoga mat

Lots of downward dogs and vinyasa currents can cause your yoga mat to accumulate sweat, lint, skin oil, and other debris. They also get that weird smell of bacteria on their skin and sweat.

Once dirt, grime, or a bad odor builds up on your yoga mat, it's time to clean it. Depending on how often you practice, you'll reach this point every few weeks or every month.

It's important to note that yoga mats are designed to be sticky. This provides the support you need to hold your position in slippery poses - a downward-facing dog can be impossible to hold on a slick carpet. When cleaning, be careful not to rub so hard that you remove the sticky surface.

Hand wash your yoga mat

You can always wash your yoga mat by hand. This is like:

1. Mix two cups of warm water with two drops of mild dish soap in a bucket.

2. Dip a cleaning cloth into the mixture and wipe both sides of the mat to remove dirt or stains. Do not use scrubbing brushes as they can abrade the material.

3. Then rinse the rug with lukewarm water and hang to dry. Be sure to hang it in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight. Sunlight can also damage the material.

4. When the yoga mat is dry, spray it with a disinfectant specially formulated for yoga mats. Some spray options include Luna Cleansing Spray and Aurorae Yoga Mat Wash Cleaner . Read the label carefully before applying the spray to your carpet.

5. You may need to air dry the spray for a few minutes or soak it in the carpet to kill bacteria.

Fitness equipment smart enough for your smart home

see all photos

Yes, you can put it in the washing machine.

If washing your hands seems like too much, you might be able to throw your yoga mat in the washing machine.

1. Use a mild detergent such as Woolite or Dreft. Make sure you wash it with warm water on gentle or hand wash cycle.

2. When cleaning is complete, allow the mat to air dry and then spray with the disinfectant spray.

3. Again, check your yoga mat manufacturer's cleaning tips before proceeding as washing could damage your yoga mat, especially if you have a top loading machine. The agitator can nick or tear the carpet during washing.

What to do if you don't clean thoroughly

Since you only need to deep clean your carpet a few times a month, you'll need to do a little cleaning in between on the other days.

After each use, spray your mat with a mat sanitizing spray after each workout. This will keep your mat from smelling like sweat and help prevent the spread of any germs you may have collected on your yoga studio floor.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about any medical condition or health goals.

Try Adblock (Why?)