Cleaning by Yoga Mat Type
Different materials are used in the production of yoga mats. If you know what material your yoga mat is made of and what kind of surface it has, you can apply the best cleaning method. The maintenance style of each model differs according to the surface structure and components.
High Permeability Open Cell Mats
When open-celled yoga mats sweat, they take the liquid in and away from the surface of the mat, thus providing anti-slip properties. Of course, this feature applies not only to sweat, but also to other liquids. The permeable surface takes in the cosmetic products such as moisturizing cream on the body along with the sweat. This degrades the structure of the mat over time and shortens its life. Therefore, if you have a mat with an open-cell surface, you should clean it frequently.
You can clean an open-cell permeable mat with dish soap diluted with plenty of water. You can simply clean the surface of the mat from dirt with a soft cloth moistened with the detergent solution you have prepared. However, you should avoid over-cleaning and wetting your mat with too much water. In addition, you should make sure that your product is thoroughly dry before putting it away.
Closed Cell Surface That Does Not Contain Liquid
Unlike open-cell mats, the closed-cell structure keeps fluid out. These mats are simpler to clean than open-cell ones. Since they are not permeable, they do not want too much sensitivity in liquid control. However, after cleaning, you should dry it in the open air in the shade.
Manduka Yoga Mats Cleaning
Manduka yoga mats have both closed and open surface structures. There are yoga mat cleaning solutions that the brand produces specifically for yoga mats and have all-natural ingredients. You should choose the one suitable for your mat from these special cleaning waters, which differ according to the structure of the mats.
It will be enough to wipe the product with a soft cloth after spraying the product on the surface of your mat in sufficient amount. If you don't have one of these solutions on hand, you should only clean the Manduka yoga mat with a soft cloth lightly dampened with water. Open-cell yoga mats require deeper cleaning. Adding 2-3 drops of organic apple cider vinegar to the water will help the mat's cells to be cleaned better.
Liforme Yoga Mats Cleaning
You can also use a small amount of dish soap diluted with plenty of water for cleaning Liforme yoga mats. With the help of a non-abrasive sponge, you can thoroughly clean the mat surface and let it dry. You should not use chemical mat cleaning solutions or oily sprays for cleaning Liforme yoga mats. Because these types of products can erode the surface of the mats over time.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mat?
The more often you use your mat, the more often it is recommended to clean it. The surface of the mat gets dirty depending on the practical number. Weather conditions also affect the frequency of mat cleaning. If you're practicing in hot weather, you'll sweat more. This causes the mat to come into contact with more sweat. In hot weather, it is useful to clean your mat after each use. In normal weather conditions, it will be sufficient to clean the mat once a week depending on the frequency of use. If you use the yoga mat less, you can adjust the cleaning frequency according to you.
Do's and Don'ts of Mat Cleaning
There are cleaning recommendations and maintenance instructions specific to the type of material the yoga mats are made of. Usually, these instructions are detailed on the package of the product you purchased or on the promotional page of the product's website. Cleaning the yoga mat in your hand in accordance with the recommendations preserves the quality of the mat and ensures its long-lasting use.
- Do not wash the yoga mat in the washing machine unless otherwise instructed.
- Do not leave your product in water
- Avoid using hard and abrasive tools such as brushes or wires to clean the surface of the mat.
- Do not expose your mat to direct sunlight.
- Do not fold and remove the mat when the surface is damp, first let it dry in a suitable environment.
- Avoid using products containing harsh chemicals to clean the mat's surface. These types of products spoil the color and texture of the mat and reduce its durability. In addition, the use of these detergents is harmful to the environment and human health.
- Never leave your mat wet
- Dry the damp mat outdoors in the shade, not indoors.
- Do not leave your mat uncleaned in very hot weather or when you are sweating excessively. Otherwise, bacteria will form on the surface of the mat, which will cause bad odors.