How to Clean Yoga Mats the Right Way

Whether you love hot yoga or have a gentle, therapeutic practice, we all need to know how to clean our yoga mats to get out the funk, avoid damage, and maximize mat lifespan. It's hard to know what's right for your own mat. HEX is here to help you. 

Your yoga mat cleaning options

As you know, there are several kinds of yoga mats to suit each of our unique preferences. Closed-cell mats are thinner and more water resistant, and don't absorb liquid (yes, that includes sweat) as quickly. These are generally more porous than thicker mats.

Thicker, spongier yoga mats tend to have an open-cell construction, so they soak up more liquid (sweat) which also means they retain more bacteria. Here are some cleaning instructions for your specific mat type.

Cleaning my mat after use. While deep cleaning your yoga mat is crucial, it's just as important to maintain your yoga mat and clean it often to prevent bacteria growth. You should always wipe down your yoga mat after your practice with a mat cleaner like HEX Performance Deodorizing Spray or a homemade cleaning solution. 

Bring your cleaner and a clean towel to your practice. Spray the cleaner directly onto your mat or onto your towel. Then, use circular motions to clean your mat’s entire surface. Make sure to wipe both sides down before you roll up your mat at the end of practice.

HEX Deodorizing Spray makes it easy and will fit perfectly into your post-workout routine. It's travel sized bottle makes it a convenient addition to your workout bag, and as a bonus, it can be used on all of your workout gear and equipment.

Then, once a month or so, give your yoga mat a deep cleaning to get rid of gunk that builds up over time. 

How to Wash for a Deeper Clean.

Different materials often call for different cleaning methods. Let's dive in.

Open-cell Yoga Mats

Open-cell mats absorb fluids like a sponge, often have a textured surface to allow for maximum grip when doing sweaty exercises, and are typically made from eco-friendly materials. For this reason open-cell mats are highly popular with heated yoga enthusiasts, as they reduce slippage during sweaty exercises while helping the environment.

As you can imagine, open-cell yoga mats absorb most of your sweat and bacteria due to their porous nature, and can be much more difficult to clean than closed-cell yoga mats.

How to Clean Open-Celled Yoga Mats:

1. Fill a bathtub or sink with some warm water and HEX Performance Laundry Detergent. Don't overpour - use 1 tablespoon of detergent for every gallon of water.
2. Soak your yoga mat for at least 5 minutes and ensure it is submerged as much as possible.
3. Remove and lightly scrub your yoga mat with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
4. Rinse your mat with warm water to get rid of the funk and any remaining detergent.
5. Shake the yoga mat out and lay flat to air dry. Be patient and make sure your yoga mat is completely dry before using it again to avoid unintentional damage.
6. Spray with HEX Performance Deodorizing Spray to protect it from recurring odors caused by bacteria. 

Closed-cell Yoga Mats

Closed-cell yoga mats are thinner and less porous than open-cell mats. While closed-cell mats are usually not made from eco-friendly materials, they are commonly used in yoga studios for members to borrow as they are more durable, less absorbent, and easier to clean. These kinds of mats are not ideal for heated yoga as they can become slippery when sweating.

As you can tell, there is a big difference in the materials between open-cell and closed-cell yoga mats. This means you should approach cleaning them differently as well. So before you clean your yoga mat, be sure to identify what type of material it is made from to ensure you are cleaning it properly.

How to Clean Closed-Celled Yoga Mats:

1. Place the yoga mat on a flat, dry, and clean surface.
2. Spray your yoga mat with HEX Performance Deodorizing Spray. This helps to clean and kill odors almost instantly and also protect from recurring odors.
3. Let the yoga mat sit for a minimum of 5 minutes to let the HEX molecule work it's magic.
4. Wipe it dry with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
5. Keep the mat laying flat or hang it on an air drying rack and allow it to air dry for at least 30 minutes.

Why is HEX Deodorizing Spray the best solution for maintaining a clean yoga mat? Most sprays and deodorizers have chemicals that can actually break down the materials in your yoga mat and cause brittleness and damage. With HEX Deodorizing Spray you get a special formula designed specifically for the synthetic materials found in yoga mats and it's proven to eliminate the odor-causing bacteria, but never harm the mat’s performance material.

Buy HEX to Keep Yoga Mats Clean

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