Discover the Secret to Yoga Mat Maintenance

Are you having trouble getting traction on your yoga sticky mat?
Maybe it's time for yoga mat maintenance.

If you are just beginning yoga and you have a brand new yoga mat -- here's a little secret -- it's common for a new sticky mat to be slippery until it is broken in. If you are okay slipping and sliding a little, the problem usually resolves itself with some time and use.

If you want a yoga mat with more traction immediately, check to see if you mat came with any yoga mat maintenance instructions and follow them. If not, most yoga sticky mats just need a little soak and scrub to remove their slippery coating.

Are you ready for my new yoga mat maintenance secret?
Give your new yoga sticky mat a bath! Put it in the tub with some water and then rub it with a cloth or sponge and a drop or two of mild dish soap.

Rinse your mat well, making sure you remove all the soap residue completely.

Then, roll it up in a large towel to remove some of the water, and hang it over your shower curtain rod, a towel rod, or clothes rack to drip completely.

Alternatively, if it's warm out, you can put your yoga sticky mat outside to dry. It will probably take a day or two to dry all the way through, unless you live in a nice, hot, sunny climate like I do.

Once completely dry, you can roll it back up and you're ready to go.

Periodic ongoing yoga mat maintenance is all that's required to keep your mat fresh. Frequency of maintenance depends on how often you practice yoga and the amount of sweat your mat is exposed to. My step-son engages in vinyasa flow yoga several times a week. After class, he brings hist mat home and unrolls it to let it dry and freshen up.

When I come face-to-face with my yoga mat, usually during child's pose, and realize it's taken on a funky smell, I know that my yoga mat is long overdue for some maintenance.

I like to give my mat a spray with an all natural disinfectant, wipe it down, and let it dry completely before re-rolling and storing it.

You can make your own all natural disinfectant spray -- combine distilled water with a few drops of tea tree, lavender, and/or grapefruit seed extract essential oils -- all have antibacterial properties. This is an economical alternative if you have the essential oils on-hand, since all you need is a small spray bottle.

If you don't have the essential oils you can do what I do -- buy a natural yoga mat maintenance disinfectant like Super Yoga Mat Wash. Or these new and convenient Yoga Mat Wipes. With consistent use, your yoga mat will remain clean and fresh.

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