An unwashed yoga mat is likely to contain bacteria, fungi and dust mites. Among them, bacteria can cause folliculitis, fungi can easily cause tinea corporis and beriberi, and the biggest threat of dust mites to people with allergic constitution is to induce allergic dermatitis and asthma.
So far, no research has confirmed that unclean yoga mats are related to skin diseases, but some doctors privately point out that there is indeed a relationship. Dr. Mamour, director of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, said that in the past year and a half, young women who usually do yoga and pilates had a large number of skin infections, and dirty mats should be the source of infection.
According to the statistics of Yoga magazine, the yoga population in the United States reached16.5 million last year. Cleaning the yoga mat regularly is laborious and expensive, and most operators don't pay attention to it. Many people began to pay attention to the hygiene of yoga mats. In the United States, there are many kinds of yoga mats, such as cleaning wipes and sprays, as well as gloves and foot covers for yoga. Many bodybuilders encourage consumers to bring their own yoga mats. The yoga teacher suggested that it is best to clean the yoga mat every other week to ensure hygiene. Cleaning methods of daily yoga mats All friends who do yoga know that cleaning yoga mats after each yoga session is a headache. Washing with detergent is afraid of skin allergy, washing with water is afraid of uncleanness, and it always smells when opened the next day. Every time I lie on it to exercise, I feel uncomfortable and always feel unclean. Ordinary simple cleaning, you can put two glasses of water and four drops of detergent into the sprayer, spray it on the yoga mat, and then dry it with a dry cloth.
If the mat is dirty, scrub the surface of the mat with light soapy water or shower gel, rinse it with clear water and dry it. The same is true for the maintenance of floor mats in the future. Note: The less lotion, the better, because any residue will make the yoga mat slippery in the future. In addition, be sure to wash the mat with a wet cloth. It is best to roll up the yoga mat with a dry towel, absorb excess water and put it in the shade to dry. Don't expose yourself to the sun, it will damage the mat. Another good way is to buy a yoga towel and spread it on the mat. It's convenient to wash towels when they are dirty. Besides, it absorbs sweat in summer and keeps warm in winter. Yoga practitioners, be kind to your yoga supplies. When you go to the yoga studio to practice, you will have a happier mood and practice yoga more comfortably and safely.