Alright, it’s time to drop a major truth bomb. Despite using my yoga mat every single day, I rarely wipe it down. Gross? Yep. Ashamed? Very much so. But thanks to a germ-fighting spray that only requires three ingredients to make, I’m officially out of excuses. It’s time to get down to business.
Even though it doesn’t seem like your yoga mat would get too disgusting—especially if you’re the only one using it!—past data has shown they’re a breeding ground for bacteria and skin infections thanks to all the sweat, dirt, and grime that builds up on them. To make sure you’re flowing through your favorite poses on a squeaky-clean surface, Loren Miche, the low-waste wellness blogger behind Chickpea Wellness, created a non-toxic mix that can take care of the problem without the use of harsh chemicals.
In her yoga mat cleaner spray, Miche combines some must-haves you probably already have at home: a cup of water, 1/3 cup witch hazel—which works as a gentle cleanser—and 10 to 20 drops of the essential oils of your choice, like tea tree oil for its anti-bacterial properties. After shaking up the ingredients, you can spray it right onto your mat just like you would in class, then wipe it down with a towel.
Here’s to never being judged about your yoga mat cleaning habits ever again.