Q: Do you know what is living on your yoga mat right now?
A: Some of the contaminants currently living and growing on your yoga mat include; sweat, dust mites, bacteria, dirt, fungi, hair (animal and human), skin cells (not just yours) and the list goes on!
The more you use your yoga mat without cleaning it thoroughly, the greater the chances are of infecting yourself with something unpleasant. This is counter-productive when practising yoga to improve your health.
Thankfully, making your own mat cleaner at home couldn’t be easier, cheaper or simpler. Here’s how.
Benefits of Using an Apple Cider Vinegar Yoga Mat Spray
Cleaning with a DIY spray is quick and easy. You just spray it on the yoga mat, wait a few seconds, then wipe it clean.
When you have more time to spare (once per month or depending on use), you can simply soak your yoga mat in some solution, and air dry it outside.
A natural apple cider vinegar yoga mat cleaner is not only great for yoga mats, it has many more versatile uses for cleaning around the home, as you’ll see.
Apple cider vinegar is famous for its multitude of uses as a natural remedy, including its eco-cleaning properties. Acetic acid makes up about 5–6% of the apple cider vinegar, which is an active cleaning and disinfecting agent. This makes it very effective against moulds and also assists in removing the stains from materials.
CAUTION – never mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia. Mixing these creates a chemical reaction which gives off a toxic gas which can cause respiratory damage and burn the eyes.
How to make eco-friendly Apple Cider Vinegar Cleaner at home
Try this quick and easy guide to make your own yoga mat cleaner using apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients:
- Clean empty reusable spray bottle
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- Optional – 10-30 drops of essential oil (suggested – lemon, tea tree or eucalyptus oil for cleaning and disinfecting, add either lavender or orange oil or peppermint oil for a fresh calm fragrance)
Directions:
Step 1 – Mix one cup of filtered water with one cup of apple cider vinegar, ensuring a one-to-one ratio.
Step 2 – Add 10-30 drops of your chosen essential oil/s. (Start with a little, add more as required)
Step 3 – Combine well.
Any essential oil will work as a fragrance, although some of the most commonly used for their deodorant, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties are; eucalyptus oil, lemon oil or tea tree oil. Once completely mixed, transfer the liquid mixture into a spray bottle and label clearly. Now, it’s ready to use.
How to use your natural apple cider vinegar mat spray
Cleaning a yoga mat with homemade apple cider vinegar solution couldn’t be easier.
As a multi-purpose cleaner, there are also many other ways to use this versatile product including;
- Clean and disinfect smartphones, tablets or laptop keyboards with a cloth dampened with apple cider vinegar spray
- Clean and disinfect scissors and prevent rust from forming. Try soaking the metal part of a pair of scissors in the solution overnight, wipe clean and then dry.
- Use the apple cider vinegar solution for polishing stainless steel kitchenware, surfaces or appliances. Simply dip a cloth in the solution and polish lightly over the kitchenware to return its shine.
- Remove germs or mold from kitchen counters, bathroom tiles, or carpets by spraying some DIY cleaner on to the surface, leaving a few minutes or until the dirt starts to shift, then wipe with a clean cloth.
- To remove stains from carpets simply rub the solution on to a stain to lift it out of the material. Following with some bicarb soda is an especially effective trick (but never mix and store together).
- A few spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar mixed with water will effectively clean and remove pesticides from fresh fruit and vegetables
- Yellow-stained white clothes and colours can be brightened by soaking them in hot water with 2 cups of vinegar. Allow to soak before washing normally
Try it yourself!
This recipe makes an endless supply of safe, effective, and natural cleaner to keep your yoga mat clean and cared for, and remove unhealthy pollutants.
You’ll be amazed how much more you can achieve with this simple apple cider vinegar DIY cleaner recipe. Just add some water and you have the perfect eco-friendly cleaner and disinfectant for your yoga mat and beyond.
Cotton Yoga Strap Natural
Lavender Eye Pillow
Meditation Cushion Zabuton
Yoga Strap and Block Set
100% Pure Essential Oils Blend 3 Pack
Reusable Amber Glass Bottle 500ml (2 pack)
Tea Tree Oil 100% Pure Antiseptic Natural 50ml
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar 473ml
100% Pure & Natural Essential Oils Gift Set (6 x 10ml Pack)
Natural Astringent Witch Hazel Face & Body
100% Natural Lemon Essential Oil 10ml
100% Natural Eucalyptus Essential Oil 10ml
