Yoga is a great way to stay healthy, both in the mind and physically.
To maintain a balanced wellbeing, breathing exercises and strategic poses are done to help you focus on yourself, and where you are at present.
Unlike in other sporting activities, you do not really need a lot to get started with yoga, however, because of the positions that are done throughout, you may want to use your own mat.
Because of this, you will need to know how to clean it. Some people use a Jade mat, which just like a lot of others, are very porous.
This means that it is best to keep on top of cleaning all the sweat and grime off it otherwise it will begin to smell.
Fortunately, it is very simple to do so. You can use various things, from just using a damp cloth to going that extra step by adding in some dish soap.
In this article we shall take a look at the various simple ways to clean a Jade mat, as well as why it is really important to keep the yoga mat clean.
What Are The Various Ways To Clean A Jade Yoga Mat?
Fortunately, it does not take long to clean a yoga mat. It can be done as soon as you get home from practice, or later in the day after a morning yoga session at home.
In fact, you do not even need to clean it every day because once a week is fine.
However, do make sure that you are not going to be doing yoga again that day because the mat will need time to dry.
Also, you might want to clean the mat in the bathroom where you can clean up any water and soap spills quickly.
Damp Clean Cloth
A simple way of maintaining a Jade yoga mat is by wiping it down every so often to make sure sweat is removed.
All you need to do is to place the clean cloth under a hot tap and let it soak. Then ring out the cloth to remove excess water.
Once the above step has been completed, all you then need to do is wipe the full surface of the mat on both sides.
After wiping the mat down, take a dry clean cloth and wipe away any excess moisture.
You will then need to let it air dry outside by either hanging it on a line out of direct sunlight, or placing it on a chair.
Dish Soap
Using soap, either dish soap or a liquid hand soap, is a great way to give the mat an extra bacteria-killing boost.
Whilst it can remove some of the nasty micro-organisms, just bear in mind that it cannot kill them all, but it will do a good job just generally.
Before starting this method of cleaning, make sure you are using something like a bathtub and a bucket. It can be messy if you are not careful!
Begin by filling a bucket (placed in the bathtub) with hot water and then adding a number of squirts of your chosen soap. Place the yoga mat in the bathtub too.
Submerge a clean cloth into the bucket, and then once you take the cloth back out, wringe it ro remove all of the excess water, but not so much that it just appears damp.
Wipe both surfaces of the yoga mat. If there are any stains, try to remove them.
Once you are satisfied with the job at hand, use a dry cloth to remove any excess water from the Jade mat, and line dry it outside out of direct sunlight, or over a chair.
Why Should You Clean A Yoga Mat?
If you think about it, whilst you are using a yoga mat, you sweat. This is especially true if you have taken up hot yoga!
Not only that, it is something that you are using daily, if not everyday, at least a few times a week.
This means that you are handling it, putting your feet all over it, and just giving the Jade mat many possibilities of picking up bacteria and germs.
Even just whatever you put on your body will go onto the Jade mat. Things such as moisturizer, deodorant, and general oils.
It all mounts up on the mat over time. If left, it could create an infection.
Because Jade mats are made of natural rubber, they soak in anything that you put on it. This means that you will want to clean it regularly if you use the mat a lot.
Even if you only use it once a week, you need to get into the habit of cleaning the mat.
If you do hot yoga, we recommend cleaning the mat after every use, otherwise, once a week is absolutely fine.
Should You Use The Jade Yoga Wash For A Mat?
If you are a little unsure of doing the above steps, you could just buy Jade’s own mat wash which has been designed to fully clean rubber-based yoga mats.
The spray itself is completely plant-based and safe to use. All you need to do is spray it onto the mat, wipe the mat with a dry and clean cloth, and then let it air dry.
How Many Times Should You Clean A Yoga Mat?
It all depends on how often you use your yoga mat. If you partake in hot yoga, then it is advised that you clean your mat after every use.
If you practice regular yoga a few times a week, then cleaning it once a week should be fine.
Unless you are a heavy sweater of course. If you are, then think about cleaning it a few times a week to keep it looking and being its best.
Final Thoughts
A yoga mat is something that can harbor bacteria and germs. The Jade rubber-based mat is no different.
So long as you get into the habit of cleaning it, it can last a long time. Otherwise, you risk it becoming smelly, and potentially causing you harm.
The positive effect yoga had on me was indescribable. Every aspect of my life improved, from social to mental, physical to emotional.
I want my website to help more people get into the world of yoga and teach them how to be present for themselves - even if that’s just for a few minutes a day.
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