Yoga Mat
How to Break in Yoga Mat: Complete Guide
A most common question by several new yogis who initially bought a new yoga mat is How to Break in Yoga Mat. A yoga mat is an essential part of yoga not only for comfort but also for health. However, we normally face different obstacles such as mat stiffness, slippery with an unpleasant odor when we purchase a new mat.
In one of my articles, I have already explained how to fix a slippery mat. Today we will explore the breaking in yoga mat, eradicating their smell and stiffness. Lastly, I will try to figure out some helpful ideas on, how to gift wrap a yoga mat.
Let’s see
Breaking in Yoga Mat
Stiffness or slipperiness are the most common problems that we can find in a new yoga mat, especially in a branded yoga mat built with durable material, for example, PVC or rubber material. PVC material is naturally slippery whereas rubber has its specific odor. But no problem, these things can be reduced through some processes, let’s see them in detail
Use it Regularly
Try to use it regularly, it’s the most effective and the simplest way to break in your yoga mat. What’s the logic behind it? A few of the companies use a special layer over the yoga mat surface to secure it during travel or storage in the warehouse. That layer normally becomes the cause of slipperiness that can be faint easily by regular use. Secondly, with our regular use, we put pressure and friction through our different exercises or poses that improve the mat grip with time.
Clean It Properly
If you don’t want to use it as a new due to their issue, no worries, you can clean it or wash it to boost the break-in process. Wash your yoga mat a few times, this thing will remove the upper slippery surface as well as its unpleasant odor. I already explained how to clean or wash yoga mat, you can read it here in detail. Whether you are using a branded mat or a regular mat, the article will help you a lot.
Sunlight Exposure
If you don’t have enough time to clean or use the mat, you can get help from sunlight. Yeah, sunlight exposure will also work for you to break in yoga mat. This trick is perfect for a natural rubber mat. Place your yoga mat in direct sunlight for a couple of hours to soften your mat. But don’t put it on for a long time because more heat and sunlight can damage or fade the color of your mat.
How to Break in Manduka Yoga Mat?
If you have bought a brand new Manduka yoga mat due to its high-quality and long-lasting performance and now you are feeling that it is a bit stiff and slippery you can fix it. Let’s move to the steps for how to break in a Manduka yoga mat:
Salt Scrub Method
Have you tried a salt scrub method for breaking in a Manduka yoga mat? Yes, if you want instant benefits for your Manduka’s PRO mat use this process:
What & How to do?
Get a little amount of coarse sea salt and sprinkle it over the surface of the mat. Now leave the mat for at least 24 hours. After that, use a yoga mat towel or cloth and scrub it lightly. Now use the water to clean it. Now you just need to dry your mat and it is ready to use.
You will notable changes in your mat grip and odor and better traction.
Frequent Use
If you don’t want to use the scrub method then you can use any of the above methods to boost the break-in process. Regular use and cleaning are the best ways to break in Manduka yoga mat with time.
Avoid Excessive Heat
If you are using sunlight exposure, make sure it will not remain in contact directly for a long time as excessive heat and ultra-violet rays can damage your mat or reduce its longevity
How to Get Rid of New Yoga Mat Smell?
All the above methods also work to get rid yoga mat smell. But if your mat has a great grip and it’s not much slippery then you should take help with very little things to reduce or eradicate its smell or odor instead of the above processes. What you can do for how to get rid of new yoga mat smell?
Air it Out
No need to do anything special for a brand new yoga mat just unroll your mat and let it let it air out for a couple of days. Just make sure the area is well-ventilated without direct sunlight contact. This will reduce the smell and doesn’t harm your mat’s durability and longevity.
Use Essential Oils
You can also get help from a few drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil to reduce its smell. Just slightly spray it with water as these essential oils have antibacterial properties they can easily reduce the odor of your mat. Make sure, you have diluted the oil to stay safe from stains or damage
Natural Deodorizers
A natural deodorizer such as baking soda can also help us to reduce the yoga mat smell. Baking soda can easily absorb its odor.
How to Get Dents Out of Yoga Mat? / How to Flatten a Yoga Mat?
If you have not rolled your mat properly for storage and it remains in the same condition for a long period, you will see a lot of dents on your mat due to heavy pressure. Let’s take a look at How to Get Dents Out of Yoga Mat or how to flatten a yoga mat:
Allow it to Rest
Keep your mat flat for a day or two on the floor to remove its dents. After this, you will notice that all the dents become smooth naturally over time.
Apply Slight Heat
We can also use the slight heat to dents out your mat. A good option for slight heat is the sunlight you can place your mat flat under sunlight for a few hours. And you will see all the dents turn to smooth due to heat and now you can bounce back to their original shape. Make sure, the heat is not excessive otherwise your mat can be damaged.
Rolling in Opposite Direction
If you see your mat dents are not too much, dents just due to improper rolling, you can use rolling in the opposite direction to remove them. Simply, just roll your mat in the opposite direction from the dents and tie it with a band for a couple of hours to restore its shape. Whether the mat is refusing to lay flat or has a curl at its edges. Rolling in the opposite direction will fix the issue.
Use of Weight
We can also use the weight to remove the dents or flatten a yoga mat. First of all, unroll the mat and put a little heavy-weight object on it such as dumbbells or books and leave it for a couple of hours. It will help a lot to soften the dents or flatten the yoga mat.
How to Gift Wrap a Yoga Mat?
Are you planning to gift a yoga mat to your friend on any special occasion? It’s a good choice. Just wrap the yoga mat cleverly and creatively and you can also give a personal touch. Let’s see some ideas for gift-wrapping a yoga mat:
Use a Yoga Mat Bag
A yoga mat bag is also a good option to ready your gift. Just choose a stylish bag or as per your friend’s liking that complements the mat. It will not only become presentable but also your friend can use the bag to carry the mat for travel or yoga classes.
Fabric Wrap
Now if we are talking about wrapping, you can use fabric Instead of traditional wrapping paper. Because it will provide better care and a tremendous look. Just roll up your mat with fabric and use the ribbon to bind it.
Decorative Ribbon
It is not necessary to use ribbon to bind it but if you will use the ribbon, it will increase the beauty of presentation along with simplicity. You can also use different types of nodes to enhance the beauty.
Conclusion
Several ways that we have shared can easily be used for breaking in a yoga mat as well as to get rid of odor. Even if your mat is refusing to flat or has dents you can easily fix it. If you are using a Manduka yoga mat, you can use the salt scrub.
Be happy and healthy! And fix your yoga & yoga mat-related issues with us like How to Break in Yoga Mat.