Natural Yet Effective Ways to Clean Your Yoga Mats

Out of 2,435 cases of pesticide poisoning within a one year period, over 40 percent of them were due to exposure to household disinfectants and cleaning products. Yoga may be great for reducing anxiety and stress, but if you’re worried about the spray or wipe you last used to clean your mat, it kind of defeats some of the purpose. Luckily, there are natural ways to both clean and disinfect your mat to keep you healthy, and your mat in good shape. 

Sanitizing Your Mat

While many people fall prey to the idea that only harsh chemicals can kill bacteria and germs, this actually isn’t the case. In fact, many commercial cleansers contain chemicals that do more harm than good, particularly for those people with sensitivities. For those same individuals as well as the eco-conscious, tea tree oil is the go-to natural option for disinfecting due to its natural ability to kill bacteria. Easily mix up your own solution by combining one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of warm water in a spray bottle (preferably glass for added eco-friendliness) and giving it a good shake before each use. Spray down the top of your mat, wait 2-3 minutes, and then wipe dry. Repeat for the other side.

De-Gunking Mat Material

When it comes to maintaining the beauty and overall integrity of your mat, you’ll need to do more than just free it of germs. Removing dirt and grime build-up from frequent use takes a little more effort, but it’s well worth it. Many commercial soaps that say they’re green still contain irritating chemicals, so it’s best to make your own healthy alternative with castile soap. Mix together two parts water to one part soap. Use this solution with a washcloth to give your mat a good scrub, and then follow up with a plain wet cloth to rinse. Make sure you give the mat plenty of time to air dry, or go in with a dry towel.

Deodorizing Yoga Gear

Along with cleaning and disinfecting, deodorizing might be a concern for things you can’t toss into the wash, like your mat, blocks, and other frequently used gear. Just spray down your blocks, mats, etc, with a mixture of vinegar and water and let dry. Vinegar kills odor-causing bacteria and absorbs bad smells, which then evaporate with the vinegar, leaving your belongings fresh.

Clearly mother nature has armed us with everything we need to keep things clean. All we have to do is learn how to use them.