Yoga sessions are great for your health and fitness. This form of exercise can improve your muscle strength, flexibility, and posture. It increases blood circulation throughout the body and is highly beneficial for the heart. Given all these benefits it’s easy to see why yoga is so popular among the Indian fitness enthusiasts.
As with any other physical activity, you need to select the right gear for a rewarding yoga experience. First and foremost, you should select the right kind of clothing. Your yoga wear should be flexible, soft, and comfortable. It should allow you to perform all the poses without any discomfort. Secondly, you need a yoga mat. These mats have many practical uses. Yoga mats provide cushioning for people performing the workout on the hard floor, it prevents the possibility of slipping (which can happen when you have sweated a lot), and lastly, it marks a space where no one will move in. Though there are some gyms that let you use their mats, you should rather buy one because it would be hygienic.
Why do you need to wash yoga mats regularly?
It makes great sense to clean the yoga mats regularly, after all, you will be sweating on it. It would come in contact with your sweat and if the mat is left unattended there are high chances of bacteria growth that would, in turn, lead to odors. If you use the yoga mat outdoor then it will also accumulate mud and dirt. This dirt, if not cleaned adequately will be transferred to the clothes while performing different poses. Considering all these factors, it is essential to wash the mats regularly. Depending on the material, the mats can be machine washed whereas some others might require hand washing.
Washing your Yoga Mat in Machine
As we mentioned earlier, some brands of yoga mats are machine washable. If you have any doubt, do care to check the care tag attached on the side of the mat. Start the washing procedure by placing the mat inside the washing machine. Try to arrange the mat neatly by avoiding any folds or bumps. Once you have done that put in some scoops of Safed detergent powder inside the machine’s soap tray. Now select the gentle wash setting and use cold water for the cycle. Now, press start and wait for the machine to complete its cleaning. Once done, you have to layout the mat to dry on a flat and well-ventilated area.
Note: Do not put the yoga mat in the dryer or in direct sunlight for drying.
Handwashing the Yoga Mat
As the yoga mat is larger in size, it won’t fit into a bucket. So, use a bathtub instead. Fill it with warm water and add 1-2 scoops of Safed detergent powder. Place the mat in the soapy water and let it soak for 15-20 minutes. Once the time has passed, use a soft cloth to wash both sides of the mat. You need to pay special to the dirty (diagnosed by a change of color) areas of the mat where your hands and feet come in constant contact. Gently wipe off the dirt and then rinse off the soapy water. Make sure that all the soapy water is removed before moving forward. Now, remove the mat from the bathtub and place it on a dry towel to soak up any excess water. Do not twist or wring the mat with your hands as that may cause a tear. Hang it up for air drying.
For best washing and odorless cleaning, use Safed detergent powder.