This cleaner recipe is from our sister magazine OptiMYz.
As a fitness enthusiast, you likely use your yoga mat for yoga, home workouts or even stretching. Maybe you roll it out regularly at home, at the studio or even your local park, but how often do you actually take the time to clean it?
In a study conducted by ABC13 News they sent a series of mats from local gyms and studios to a lab. The findings were surprising. One of the mats had a form of staph on it, while a few others had yeast build-up and even fecal matter (GROSS!). Basically, just like your sweaty workout gear, your mat should also get a good cleaning.
Here is a DIY yoga mat cleaner with two simple essential oils: tea tree and lavender. Tea tree essential oil is antibacterial and antifungal, while lavender essential oil has antibacterial properties paired with a calming sent that is great for unwinding.
You can switch out the essential oils if you are not a fan of these. For example, if you don’t like the scent of tea tree, try lemongrass, eucalyptus, or peppermint instead, all which also have antibacterial properties. The witch hazel or white vinegar in this recipe provide the spray with additional antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Yoga Mat Cleaner Recipe
Ingredients:
- » Small spray bottle
- » Spring water (fill 3⁄4 of spray bottle)
- » 1 drop pure lavender essential oil
- » 2 drops tea tree essential oil
- » Witch hazel or white vinegar (fill al-
most 1⁄4 of spray bottle) - Add ingredients to your spray bottle and shake until blended. If you would like more scent, add another drop of lavender essential oil or oil of your choosing. Spray generously onto your mat and wipe down with a soft cloth (can take up to 48 hours to dry completely).
Be sure to clean your mat once or twice a week, depending how often you use it.
More Inspiration: Check out this article on the importance of daily movement.
Author: Charmaine Millaire was the editor for Optimyz Magazine for women’s wellness and is a graduate of King’s School of Journalism in Nova Scotia.
