You will have chosen your mat for a reason. Maybe you chose the Yogamatters sticky yoga mat because it’s the best value non-slip yoga mat in town – and with so many eye-catching colours to choose from, you’ll have been able to pick your favourite. Maybe you went for the legendary Manduka pro mat with its lifetime guarantee. Or perhaps you decided on an eco-friendly mat from Manduka or Jade, prAna or Liforme, made from sustainably sourced natural tree rubber. It was possibly the Liforme yoga mat that attracted you, with its unique AlignForMe system, an intelligent asana alignment guide etched into the surface of that mat that unobtrusively guides your practice. Or the attractive design of a Gaiam mat or the screen printed pattern of a Milochie mat that aids alignment. Or a travel mat or an extra wide mat or an extra long mat.

For whatever reason, you made a choice. And over time, you will have developed a connection with your mat. Your mat has travelled alongside you on your yoga journey.

We all agree that yoga matters and if yoga matters, then your yoga mat matters too. It therefore stands to reason that you should take good care of your mat.

Manduka Pro Yoga Mats

Just like your favorite pair of jeans, the Manduka PRO requires a break-in process. As you practise, the top surface will naturally wear in, transforming it into one that’s uniquely yours. The more you stretch, twist, sweat and breathe together, the better it gets—just like your practice. So remember you’ll never wear your PRO mat out, you’ll just wear it in.

The best way to break in your mat is practise, practise, practise, but if you want to speed things up a little, try the salt method below.

When you first get your mat, there are steps you can take straightaway to care for your mat. This video shows you how to break in your Manduka mat like a pro.

It may seem like a bit of hassle when all you want to do is get down on your new mat. But think of it like this: this mat is going to last you a lifetime. The least you can do is get off to the best of starts.

Natural Rubber Yoga Mats

Some of the eco-friendly mats do initially have a smell that will pass with time. The odour will disappear more quickly if you are able to leave your mat rolled out on the floor for the first few days. For their eko yoga mat, Manduka suggest wiping your new mat down with a solution of 50/50 organic cider vinegar and water or one of their mat sprays.

The salt scrub should never be used for rubber mats but there are plenty of yoga mat sprays out there to keep your mat fresh and clean. Just do be aware that every mat is different, depending on the materials it has been made with and you need to know your mat to know which is the best mat cleaner to use. You cannot use any mat cleaner on any mat.

Homemade Yoga Mat Cleaner

You could also have a go at creating your own mat cleaner. Our favourite solution is from Oh She Glows

1 cup white vinegar

3 cups filtered water

1 tsp tea tree oil

Essential oil (about 10-30 drops depending preference) peppermint, lavender, and thyme are nice, but use anything you like!

Simply place all ingredients into a large spray bottle and shake before each use.

Your yoga mat will need cleaning, even if you are the only one to use it. Your mat will encounter dirt, natural oils and naturally, sweat. The surface of a yoga mat is designed to ensure a firm grip and so draws moisture away from the surface. Your mat therefore collects this moisture which can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Wiping your mat with a damp cloth dipped in warm water and a natural organic detergent or soap after every time you use your mat will do the trick.

Remember you should never dry your mat outside as the sunshine will discolour your mat or in a tumble dryer as the rubber could warp and not lie flat again. To dry your yoga mat, simply hang it to dry over the shower rail or on an indoor airer.

We started about talking about your mat. Your individual mat. Your chosen mat. Your treasured mat. If you care about your mat, then you need to take care of it. Keeping your mat clean will increase its life. And make getting down on your mat an even more pleasurable experience.

So get to know your mat. Research what it is made of and how best to care for it. And then there is no excuse – just do it!