How To Make A Quick And Easy Yoga Mat Cleaning Spray (And Why You Should)
This essential oil-infused spray kills bacteria you’ll inevitably pick up in a gym or studio—and it smells great.
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This story originally appeared on Rodale’s Organic Life in February 2017.
When you lay down on your back for a nice relaxing corpse pose, do you ever think about all the bacteria that your feet have transferred onto the mat? And for that matter, that your mat is now transferring onto other parts of your body? You will now! Your yoga mat isn't the cleanest of places, judging by everywhere your feet have recently been, especially if you take your mat to class on the regular. (For example, athlete’s foot, staph infections, plantar warts, and ringworm are a few of the nasty things you can be exposed to in the studio.) But don’t worry—it’s easy (and cheap) to make an antibacterial cleaning spray that has the added bonus of essential oil aromatherapy. Here’s how to get started.
What You Need
The ingredients are simple—all you need is water, witch hazel, and essential oils, as well as a spray bottle. I decided to go with lemongrass and lavender oils because they’re two of my favorite scents and because both have antimicrobial properties. Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, and citrus oils are other good options for killing bacteria. Choose at least one of these as well as one scent that you find calming, invigorating, or just plain lovely. (By the way, here are 6 times you should never use essential oils.)
Step 1
Fill the spray bottle three-quarters of the way full with water. If you do vigorous yoga daily, you’ll probably want to go with a larger spray bottle than the one I chose so that you’re not constantly making new batches. If you dabble in yoga in fits and starts like me, a smaller size is probably fine.
Step 2
Fill the rest of the bottle with witch hazel for more cleaning oomph. If you don’t have witch hazel, you can use white vinegar instead (though it won’t smell as nice).
Related: The Only 10 Things You Need To Buy To Make All Your Own Natural Cleaning Products
Step 3
Now it’s time to add your essential oils of choice. I used about ten drops of each lavender and lemongrass oil, but you may need more or less depending on what size batch you’re making. If your spray turns out too strong, dump some out and add more water. Customize it exactly to your liking!
Step 4
Clean away! Shake up the mixture before using, spray evenly over your mat, and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. Be sure to let your mat dry before you roll it up for storage. How often you clean your mat is up to you, but it’s nice to do it every few days to keep your mat smelling fresh and clean. You can also use your spray as a room freshener before the practice for a little aromatherapy goodness! (Plus, try this 3 ingredient room spray that boosts your mood in seconds.)
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