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Cleaning a Mat Regularly
Choose the right cleaner. It is best to choose a cleaner from JadeYoga or make your own. All-natural rubber is porous, and over time it can trap excess oils and sweat. Choosing an all-natural cleaning spray is recommended. You can make your own by combining 1 cup water, 3 drops tea tree oil, 2 drops eucalyptus oil (or lemongrass, thyme, lavender, or clove), and ¼ cup white vinegar or alcohol-free witch hazel. For routine maintenance, you can even clean it with water. Avoid petroleum-based products or those with alcohol in them, as they can cause your mat to dry out and prematurely degenerate. #*Essential oils can cause your mat to become slippery, so avoid using any cleaners containing essential oils, to preserve the use and wear of your mat. Avoid using vinegar or tea tree oil, as these can cause premature decomposition in all-natural rubber.
Spray the mat after workouts. After your workout, spray the length of your mat with cleaner or water. Regular cleaning will prolong the life of your JadeYoga mat and keep it grippy. How often you clean your mat depends on how often and how vigorously you work out on your mat. If your workouts are intense or you do hot yoga, clean your mat after each workout. If your workouts are less intense, clean your mat weekly. Wipe end-to-end to ensure that all sweat, dirt, and oil is removed.
Dry your mat with a towel. You can air dry your mat, or you can wipe it down with a towel. Using a Microfiber cleaning cloth can help to ensure that fibers don't transfer onto your mat. Always be sure that your mat is dry before rolling it, otherwise, this can damage to the mat.
Using a Front-Load Washing Machine
Use a front-load washing machine. Do not use a top-load washing machine as the agitator could damage your mat. Even if you clean your mat regularly, you should periodically deep clean it to remove excess sweat, dirt, and oils trapped in the pores. If your workouts are high intensity, then you should deep clean more frequently.
Set the cycle and correct water temperature. Always use the gentle cycle in order to avoid unnecessary degeneration and to keep your mat in tip-top shape. You can wash your mat in hot or cold water.
Choose a detergent when washing your mat in cold water. If you wash your mat in hot water, you can skip this step. If you wash in cold or just prefer to use detergent, add 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 teaspoon non-abrasive laundry detergent to the wash. Skip the vinegar if the vinegar smell bothers you, or rinse your mat in hot water to get rid of the smell.
Washing the Mat in a Bathtub
Fill a clean bathtub with a few inches of lukewarm water. When completing this step, make sure that there is enough water in the bathtub to completely cover your mat. You can also wash your mat in the shower and hang it up to dry when you are done.
Add your chosen detergent. You can add a tablespoon of PH neutral soap, gentle diluted detergent, or bath or dish soap, or try a mixture of 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar. Immerse the mat and soak it for 15-30 minutes.
Rub the mat gently with a washcloth. This will help remove set-in dirt and oils. Some people have had success when using very soft brushes, but stiff brushes should be avoided as this could cause damage to your mat.
Remove the mat from the water before draining. This will ensure that dirt and oils in the bathwater do not re-contaminate your mat as the water drains. Drape the mat over the shower stall or curtain rod and drain and rinse the tub.
Rinse the mat with clean water. Rubbing the mat as you rinse will help get the soap out of your mat to keep your mat undamaged and residue-free.
Drying the Mat
Lay the mat on a large towel and roll it up. You may want to let your mat drip-dry over the bathtub before doing this to cut down on some of the drying time.
Push down firmly on the roll using your hands or knees. By doing this, you are transferring as much water as possible from the mat to the towel to help the mat dry completely.
Unroll the mat and hang it indoors for 24 hours. Do not dry your mat outside or in direct sunlight. UV rays can dry it out and break down the natural rubber.
Store the mat in a bag away from high temperatures. Once your mat is fully dry, you should roll it up tightly and store it in a bag to keep it in good condition. This will help to protect the natural rubber and prevent premature degeneration. Avoid storing your JadeYoga mat in the car.
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