How to clean and disinfect your yoga equipment?

As the lockdown is behind us and yoga studios are filling up with yogis again, we can feel that the Coronavirus has significantly changed our lifestyle and the way we practice yoga, especially the hygiene of the yoga equipment we use.

The fear of contracting the virus in places like yoga studios is real.

Here are some tips for effectively cleaning and disinfecting your yoga accessories.

First of all, we advise you to use your own yoga equipment and mats to avoid any risk of Covid19 transmission. The mats in the rooms are often only cleaned briefly and can be real breeding grounds for germs. Especially if they are old and of poor quality.

Why clean your yoga mat?

When using your yoga equipment, you can quickly notice that it gets dirty very quickly due to several factors such as sweat, odors and white particles. Nothing very appetizing and especially can make the practice more complicated because the mats become very slippery very quickly.

All these factors are linked to the fact that when you practice you leave dead skin, sebum, microbes and sweat. In addition, in the gym, several people follow one another and hygiene is often basic, if done by the students.

The same obviously applies to the bricks , towels and straps that you may use during your yoga session.

This is why we suggest that you disinfect your yoga mat after each session.

Information and prevention about yoga equipment following Covid19

• If you are using your mat at home, do regular cleaning by hand or in the washing machine, depending on the material of the yoga mat. Remember to read all the manufacturer's care instructions as some yoga mats are not made to be machine washed such as natural rubber and TPE mats.
• If, on the other hand, you go to studios open to the public and you do not have your own yoga mat , we recommend a preventive cleaning with an eco-responsible disinfectant to protect the environment. To do yourself in a spray with Sanytol, water & a drop of essential oil for the smell; spray that you take with you to each session.
• If you have been infected with Covid19 and you have practiced yoga in a room open to all on a collective mat, we advise you to quickly notify your studio so that they can take the necessary measures.
• It is best to have your own yoga mat with you, this avoids a lot of stress and complications.

Each yoga mat material has its own cleaning process

How to clean your yoga mat

After each use, you can use a detergent or baby wipe on your equipment. There are also special products for yoga mats such as MANDUKA universal yoga mat cleaning spray.

If you use detergent, note that the length of time the product is left on your yoga mat is essential. The cleaner must remain on your mat for at least 5 minutes to act effectively. You must also rinse with clear water to avoid risking skin or respiratory problems.

You can also disinfect your yoga mat with a homemade spray. Take 300 ml of water, 100 ml of white vinegar, 1 drop of tea tree essential oil, 1 drop of lemon essential oil and 1 drop of lavender essential oil, all mixed in a plant spray. These last three ingredients are antiseptic.

Simply mix everything together and spray on the carpet then wipe with a microfiber cloth or let dry.

Tips for cleaning your yoga mat by hand

Here are two methods for washing your yoga mat by hand.

Method 1

• Wet the carpet with lukewarm water.
• Rub it with Marseille soap and insist on the stains if necessary.
• Rinse it until all traces of soap disappear.
• Do not put your rug in the dryer, in the sun or on a radiator.
• To wring it out, wipe it with clean towels and then put it to dry on a drying rack.

Method 2

• Place your rug in warm water with a little mild detergent, soap or dishwashing liquid (about 1 tablespoon of detergent for 4L of water)
• Soak it for a few minutes
• Remove it from the water and gently wipe it with a soft cloth.

• Rinse your mat with warm water until it is streak-free and no longer slippery.

Drying your yoga mat

To dry your mat effectively, we recommend that you first shake it over a sink or bathtub to remove as much water as possible. Then, place it on clean, dry towels and roll up the mat to absorb the rest.

As a final step, simply hang it in a healthy environment, without dust or light, to limit the aging of the fibers.

Can you use bleach on yoga mats?

It is strongly recommended not to use bleach. It is one of the most aggressive products for the carpet and for you. As a general rule, you should avoid using products based on solvents or aggressive chemicals because they accelerate the degradation of the product.

Why is it not recommended to wash your yoga mat in the washing machine?

The washing machine damages the rugs because they are not suitable for the materials used to make rugs. This is why we advise you to always wash them by hand with gentle and eco-friendly products to respect the environment as well as your health.

How do I clean the rest of my yoga equipment? 

Towels and clothes can be machine washed normally and do not need to be washed at a higher temperature. 30 degrees is recommended. It is recommended to wash them directly after use, as this will limit any possible exposure to the virus with other materials and objects.

The cushions , bricks and straps can also be machine washed according to the information provided by the manufacturer.