Experienced as well as brand new yoga lovers need to know; “how do you clean your yoga mat the safe and natural way?”
Steam cleaning has invariably been a good and effective way to maintain the cleanliness of carpets, furniture, tapestries, mattresses, pillows, and even floors. But, have you ever tried it on your yoga mat?
Yoga will keep your mind, body, and soul healthy. however all the trouble exerted to practise those beautiful flowing poses will cause you to sweat heavily on your clothes and your mat. an unclean and malodorous mat is unsanitary and as unsafe to use.
It is important to make sure your mat is hygienic enough for each use with an effective and easy cleaning routine.
Experts recommend a variety of ways for us to compare with steam cleaning.
Wipes and Sprays
Some studios and gyms favour disposable wipes to maintain the cleanliness of their mats and while wipes can clean your mat as well as freshen you up during your yoga sessions, they may contain ingredients that affect the longevity of your mat, and disposable single use products are never the best option for the environment.
If asking students to wipe mats after class, they may fall short in cleaning the mat thoroughly enough to remove stubborn dirt or provide adequate hygiene.
For most yogis, commercial or DIY cleaning sprays are used to clean mat surfaces as a convenient and eco-friendly option.
These sprays, especially those made using natural ingredients, are effective in removing germs and dirt as well as ridding you of any unwanted odours from the mat.
A common recipe for homemade mat cleaning spray is a mixture of water, vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) and essential oils.
Sprays, however, may not be very effective in thoroughly removing dirt that penetrated through the surface into the material of the mat.
Hand or Machine Washing
Washing, with a machine or manual wash using detergent, is very effective in cleaning most yoga mats; however even then, there is no guarantee that the process will remove stubborn bacteria or penetrating germs from the mat. It also takes time to wash off detergent and air dry a water-soaked mat making it impractical for regular washing.
While there is no universal solution or single answer to cleaning a yoga mat that ensures the mat stays clean over time, there is still a highly-recommended resolution to this dilemma which is very popular amongst health enthusiasts.
Experts recommend that for the deepest, most effective and hygienic results, steam cleaning will remove the most dirt build up while also being the safest, more sustainable option for the environment.
Benefits of Steam Cleaning Your Yoga Mat
1. Effective Cleaner
Steam cleaning your yoga mat will sanitise it from bacteria, viruses, mould, skin cells and sweat that accumulated over time from use. Steam is effective in removing germs that cause the foul-smelling odour and contribute to the spread of illness.
Steam is effective in dissolving stubborn dirt, grime and dust mites that penetrate porous surfaces.
Steam also cleans stubborn dirt from your yoga mat much faster when compared to wipes and sprays. It also evaporates quickly so your mat is dry and ready to use almost instantly.
2. Eco-friendly and Economical
A steam cleaner is an investment which pays for itself in a just few uses.
A steamer uses high heat from boiling water to clean and disinfect, so it doesn’t need the addition of soap and other chemicals, making it an extremely eco-friendly and sustainable cleaner option.
Steam cleaners are also effective when used in a variety of cleaning needs around the home such as fabrics, pillows, carpets and mattresses and are especially popular as a bathroom cleaning solution.
3. Convenient
Steam cleaners are easy to use and store. Steam also cleans stubborn dirt faster compared to wipes and sprays. It also tends to evaporate faster so your mat dries quicker.
What to Consider While Using A Steam Cleaner
Steam uses high temperatures so it is important to protect your skin and eyes from hot steam and burns when using a steam cleaner.
Exercise the option to wear protective clothing such as gloves, eye-protection or a face mask in order to protect skin and prevent unwanted inhalation of steam.
Read the instructions on how to properly use the machine before operating it.
1. Type of Cleaners
There are two types of general use steam cleaners – a cool or dry steam system.
Cool steam cleaners generate steam without boiling water, which means more water is used (and a longer drying time). Hot (or dry) steam cleaners use less water and generate steam from boiling water.
A hand-held steam cleaner or a garment steamer are most commonly used for cleaning a yoga mat, although a steam mop if you already have one, may also be effective.
2. Yoga Mat Fabric or Material
The material of your yoga mat plays an important factor when considering which cleaner to use.
Yoga mats are made of a variety of materials including PVC, vinyl or synthetic mixes, rubber, cork, jute or even cotton.
Most mats you buy will come with specific instructions on proper washing or cleaning, including the do’s and don’ts of use and handling. It is important to understand these instructions to ensure your mat lasts as long as possible and isn’t quickly deteriorated by your choice of cleaning product or method. Before opting for steam cleaning your mat, be sure to check the washing instructions don’t warn against the use of heat.
For some yoga mat materials, such as rubber, it is recommended to limit exposure to sunlight and heat which will cause the material to deteriorate. That said, if there is a material covering the rubber, this may be safe to clean. As a precaution, when steam cleaning a rubber mat, use a low or cold setting so as not to damage the material.
If using a cotton or jute mat, try spot cleaning an inconspicuous area first to test if the material is colour-fast and reacts ok to the heat.
When cleaning, keep the machine moving constantly to prevent overheating the material or soaking it, and avoid going over the same spot too many times in a row.
Thicker and more porous mats will require more going over to ensure a thorough clean as compared to thinner, smoother mats.
3. Frequency of Use
If you use your mat daily, it is advisable to steam clean it at least weekly to ensure it is safe and hygienic for use
If you use your mat less frequently, you can clean it with a spray before you store it and steam clean monthly for a more thorough, deeper clean result.
How to Steam Clean Your Yoga Mat
Instructions for Use:
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- Place your yoga mat on a flat, clean surface or hang securely.
- Glide the steamer nozzle in long straight single strokes your mat
- Direct the steam using movements both left to right and top to bottom to ensure full coverage.
- Go over the whole mat twice or more to make sure you have covered all areas of the fabric.
- Allow any moisture to dry naturally. Never use or store a damp mat.
As the most effective, hygienic and eco-friendly methods to clean your yoga mat, steam cleaning is also a quick and convenient option. When steam cleaning, consider the style of machine you will use, the yoga mat material, texture and thickness, and how often you will be steam cleaning your mat.
Now that you know the safest and most eco-friendly way to clean your yoga mat, you can practice with comfort and calm that you are ensuring your best possible health in yoga.