Cork Yoga Mat
A yoga mat benefits your practice in multiple ways. Yoga mats are an important accessory in yoga practice either inside or open-air.
The best yoga mats are made of natural, renewable and sustainable resources, like cork yoga mats. Cork yoga mat is usually made up of cork and rubber as supporting materials that are safe for us and our planet, both are effortlessly available in nature and sustainably gathered. The cork yoga mat is one of the most commonly used yoga mat types. These mats are not produced from the PVC or TPE, making them environmentally friendly and non-toxic yoga mats for usage.
Cork yoga mats are the most comfortable, easy to clean and maintain yoga mats. And it makes a promising travel yoga mat, because of the lightweight, it is easy to carry.
Cork yoga mats have a very long life, with the right balance of comfort and support. Cork has an antimicrobial property that absorbs sweat, which would help to get hands dry and avoid slipping or skidding.
Its non-slip property gives a perfect grip that makes doing yoga easier. Cork tends to repel dust, hair, and other small grains from its exterior. Its non-toxic nature does not do any detriment to the body. It is ideal for exercising all forms of yoga, pilates and other exercises.
Cork yoga mats are also eco-friendly and biodegradable, they will break down into the terrain at the end of their life cycle. Eco-friendly mats greatly help you to connect with the surroundings, a better option to appreciate yoga healthily and spiritually.
How To Clean A Cork Yoga Mat?
Cleanliness or chasteness is one of the niyamas that yogis practice on and off the mat. Personalised surface cleaning and disinfection play an important part.
Cork yoga mats are great options for yoga practice as they come with an antimicrobial and tone-drawing exterior, and do not need to be gutted like a PVC or plastic mat. Not all yoga mats can be gutted in the same way. Cork is an open-cell material and takes a unique cleaning procedure.
Quick clean after each practice or one time a week, and an annual deep clean will keep your cork mat fresh and free of origins. No matter how clean the bottom of the gymnasium or home or yoga studio is, there is a chance of infection. Make sure to use your cork yoga mat to assure your safety from varied bacteria. So it is important to know how to cleanse a yoga mat.
Also Read: What are the benefits of Naked Yoga?
Here are some of the smart ways to keep your cork yoga mat clean.
Damp cloth to clean cork yoga mat
The best way to clean a cork mat is to use cold or warm water on a soft cloth. Clean the cork yoga mat using a washcloth or handkerchief that is damp with water to wipe it off rather than using harsh stuff like rough sponges, scrub pads or paper tissues which will break down and leave pieces all over your mat. Soft microfiber cloths are gentle and will not damage your mat. Gently wipe down the cork yoga mat with the damp cloth and also let it air dry before you roll it up and put it down. The mat will stay clean.
Disinfecting or sanitiser wipes to clean the cork yoga mat
To break up sweat and odours as soon as your yoga session is over, a wipe will make the job as easy as possible, without leaving a sticky residue behind. Clean your cork yoga mat with disinfecting wipes or sanitiser wipes every two days. Most yoga mat cleaning wipes safely remove dirt, sweat and bacteria from all styles of yoga mats, leaving the mat looking and feeling tidy. Choose safe wipes, made from natural constituents like vinegar and essential oils of herbs like lavender.
Essential oils to keep your mat clean
Essential oils similar to lavender rose or tea tree oil are much less harsh for the cork yoga mat material. You can also add some other essential oils similar to lemongrass, peppermint and eucalyptus. Make sure to choose 100 pure essential oils, from a trusted brand, to avoid any harsh chemicals that can affect your skin and damage your cork yoga mat. Pour the water into a bowl, additionally pour about two drops of essential oil which has the kind of scents you like. Use it to clean the cork yoga mat with a soft cloth.
Essential oils also encourage a calm and soothing state of being. It reduces stress and promotes inner clarity. They smell nice and keep your mat squeaky clean.
Natural products or mild cleansers to keep your cork yoga mat clean
It’s better to use natural products to clean cork yoga mats than to use harsh chemicals similar to cleansers and detergents. Choose the cleanser that does not contain phosphate or alcohol, so it will not damage your cork yoga mat.
There are several Yoga Mat cleansers on the request and can be found in many yoga studios or online. There are chemical products as well as organic cleansers. It is better to choose an organic cleanser or use a handcrafted cleaner or soap or fruit/ vegetable wash which is made of all-natural constituents because it tends to be a bit milder than other types of detergents available on the market. Vinegar mixed with water in equal quantity can be used to clean a cork yoga mat since it is a natural cleaning agent.
How To Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Solution For Cleaning A Cork Yoga Mat?
You can make your clean solution for your cork yoga mat using purifying and calming essential oils rather than picking up an expensive cleaning product that contains harsh and poisonous chemicals that can wear down the cork yoga mats and break down the material. A cork yoga mat is the best choice for those who are living a minimalist and zero-waste lifestyle.
Here is what you need to make a DIY natural cork yoga mat cleanser –
- 3/4 mug distilled of water
- 1/4 mug vinegar or witch hazel
- 2-4 drops of eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, peppermint and tea tree essential oils
- You may also add a small quantity of bicarbonate of soda.
Combine all the constituents in a reusable spray bottle and shake well before each use. You can also dip a cloth into this mixture and clean the mat with it.
All of these possess their benefits with pleasing aromas which leave you to leave feeling fresh. Each essential oil has its own proper like antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal, which are safe to disinfect and kill bacteria and fungi present in a cork yoga mat.
Vinegar is a natural cleanser. An alternative to vinegar is witch hazel which has antiseptic and astringent properties that can help remove oil and dirt from your cork yoga mat.
How Frequently Should You Clean?
Yoga Mats depending upon the material and use can accumulate dirt. Weekly sanitizing is greatly recommendable. Your body releases sweat on the area of your yoga mat each time you use it. Bacteria can develop on certain exteriors with time. Clean your cork yoga mat after a rigorous, sweaty practice or whenever you feel it needs to be done.
At minimal biweekly, sanitize your cork yoga mat according to the directions using an organic and natural cleaning product. You don’t need to sanitize your mat overly if you exercise at home.
How To Take Care Of A Cork Yoga Mat?
- Avoid drenching a cork yoga mat in water as it absorbs a lot of water and becomes tough to dry. Cork yoga mats aren’t machine washable.
- Avoid putting heavy items on top of your mat while keeping it to maintain it in good shape.
- Keep your feet and hands clean before yoga practice.
- Regularly preserving the yoga mat after each usage can user your mat last longer. Wipe the dirt, sweat and oils with soft Litha or a wipe. Wipe in one direction alone and clean both sides of the mat.
- Precisely run a vacuum cleaner with a run-in attachment on the mat in circuitous movements to take off a reasonable quantum of dust.
- Do not over-clean. Over-cleaning can induce the cork yoga mats to wear out more fast.
- Always keep your cork yoga mat in a bag or shade. Keep your cork yoga mat off from heat and sunshine. The UV beams can dry out the mat and make it rigid or crisp throughout some time cork yoga mat in a dry and cool place.
- While rolling up your cork yoga mat, first fold it in half so the top exterior is facing itself, to avoid transferring bottom dirt to the side you exercise on. Use recommendations handed by the cork yoga mat manufacturer.
Keeping your cork yoga mat clean and taking good care of your mat will make it last longer and conserve its natural grip.
