DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

I've used the same ten Yoga mats for years at school and for two summers for outdoor Yoga events.  I promised myself I'd give them a good cleaning before bringing them back into my classroom.  Well, they have been sitting on my terrace since the summer.  I thought if I brought them into the living room, I'd pop in a movie and I'd clean them.  So I there they sat for two weeks.  They mocked me every time I walked by.  I would try not to look in their direction.  Well no more.  

Tonight I finally sat down (literally) and wiped them down with vinegar, warm water, a touch of soap, and a mix of a few drops each of peppermint and eucalyptus oils.  

J says they smell horrible, but I think the vinegar will evaporate just like when I clean the bathroom mirrors.  This is a no Windex or cleaning detergent household.  We use baking soda, vinegar and Dr. Bronner's soap.

Now they are all over the house, spread open to dry.

I don't smell the vinegar at all, or maybe I'm just used to it.

You might want to try cleaning your Yoga mat as well.  It really doesn't take long.  It was just daunting looking at ten of them and knowing they were not just dirty, but grass-stained and had a few mud stains.  I think yours might be a bit easier to clean.

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray

1 part warm water with 3 parts white vinegar

• Add 8-12 drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, mint, or tea tree oil

Mix them up and put them in a spray bottle.

If really dirty (like mine) first wash down with a few drops of Dr. Bronner's soap in warm water.

Then towel off the whole mat as much as you can, to take out the excess water.  It should dry in about fifteen minutes.  If it doesn't wipe it down one more time with a dry clean towel.

Then enjoy your clean, fresh smelling mat.  (Let me know if you still smell the vinegar.  I swear I don't.)

Many Namastes to you,

Yoga Girl