Lululemon Yoga mats can get smelly after a Bikram or Vinyasa class, so in this guide, we’re going to help you clean your yoga mat properly.
Cleaning Lululemon Yoga Mats
Cleaning a yoga mat is hugely beneficial for limiting the spread of bacteria. This is especially important in open-cell PVC mats as they have pores where the fungi can grow and multiply. That might sound gross but it’s certainly true and something that you need to be mindful of especially when you’re buying a new yoga mat.
We also recommend that you always bring your own yoga mat to a studio. Avoid renting or using mats already in the studio as you won’t be entirely sure if they are clean or have germs, bacteria or diseases.
When it comes to Lululemon, their yoga mats are of high quality and generally don’t require as much cleaning as cheaper yoga mats. However, as you want your mat to last years and years, it’s something that you should really be focused on maintaining so has to not trash the earth.
How to clean Lululemon Yoga Mats
It’s actually quite easy to clean the most popular Lululemon yoga mats. Here are 3 great ways:
1. Use yoga mat wash spray
There are numerous types of mat wash sprays which are natural and won’t ruin your mat. Unfortunately, Lululemon doesn’t actually makes their own yoga mat spray but there are other commercial alternatives in the market such as Mind Over Lather, Manduka and Black Diamond Stoneworks which is USDA Certified BIOBASED.
2. Use natural disinfectant
There are numerous types of natural disinfectant that you can use. We can recommend Australian eucalyptus oil spray though there will be a strange (yet natural) smelling odor that’s left afterwards. These plant-derived sprays are perfect for the vegan yoga enthusiasts who are looking for a cruelty-free way to clean their Lululemon Yoga mat without commercial solvents with chemicals which are tested on animals.
3. Use Lavender and Tea Tree Oil
You can also buy these two essential oils and mix them together while diluting them in a lot of water. Essentially you’re merely creating an organic spray with the resources you probably have in your quiver of natural healing scents and oils.
Things not to do
Now that we’ve covered the 3 core ways to clean your mat, let’s cover things you shouldn’t do.
- Never leave it in the sun. Never leave your Lululemon yoga mat in direct sunlight for an extended period of time. 10 to 20 minutes maximum just to kill bacteria is enough.
- Never use harsh chemicals. Don’t use harsh chemicals on any type of yoga mat. This isn’t necessary to kill germs and the natural alternatives in the market do just fine.
- Never throw your mat in the shower. You don’t need to get your yoga mat wet. if it’s sandy, simply look for a vacuum cleaner or simply brush it all off. If it’s muddy, then again just use a damp cloth to clean the mud and dirt away.
- Never use a carpet cleaner. Don’t use carpet cleaner on a yoga mat. These chemicals aren’t necessary and will only degrade the surface of your yoga mat in the coming weeks.
- Never use a towel. Wiping your yoga mat with your towel is unnecessary and often pointless. If it’s the same towel you just used in a yoga class, you’re potentially transferring bacteria on to your yoga mat which isn’t helping the situation.
How often should I clean my Lululemon Yoga Mat?
After every sweaty yoga class, you should be cleaning any yoga mat. The sweat and bacteria will be present and will be alive when you next go into a class. For slow flow or Yin Yoga classes, cleaning your yoga mat will in most instances be unnecessary as you’re merely stretching.
Also – avoid over cleaning your mat. It shouldn’t take more than 30 sections of spraying with a natural yoga mat wash spray to get the desired result. We prefer these products the most as they are unscented and you’re less likely to annoy others nearby at your next yoga class which might be sensitive to smells.
Where do you get yoga mat spray from?
You can buy natural yoga mat spray from Amazon and eBay in the United States as well as most other countries, but it’s often easier to buy some from your local yoga studio. They often stock it. Likewise, local sports stores will have similar products that work well.
As an alternative, use the essential oils or natural disinfectant spray that we’ve mentioned here. You’ll find them available in most supermarkets and some convenience stores. Be mindful to check their ingredients first.
In summary
The proper hygiene and cleaning of a yoga mat is important but not something that you should spend much time thinking about. Your main focus should be on enjoying yoga for health and vitality, and a quick spray after each class is more than necessary to do the job.
Got questions? Let us know in the comments! 🙂
