Last year, my new year’s resolution was to start a daily yoga practice. I’d been practicing yoga for over a decade (humble brag), but there’s something about committing to a daily routine. Practice makes perfect, as they say. Luckily, the pandemic did not throw me off course since I was doing yoga in my living room.
As you can imagine, my yoga mat started to get gross after bare feet being on it every day. I developed a bindi-like zit in the middle of my forehead from where my head came into contact with the mat in child’s pose. That was not exactly the third eye I was going for.
I didn’t want to use a harsh cleanser on the rubber, but obviously, the mat needed to be cleaned somehow—hopefully in a way that left it smelling nice so I wouldn’t mind getting up close and personal with it. Thankfully, my virtual yoga teacher posted a video on how to make homemade yoga spray. Here’s how to make your own yoga mat cleaner.
Ingredients
Laura Bennett/Oola
- Distilled water
- Witch hazel
- Essential oils (5 drops each, see below)
Essential Oils
Laura Bennett/Oola
Everyone’s favorite YouTube yoga teacher, Adriene Mishler, offers two formulas in her homemade yoga mat spray video. A combo of cleansing tea tree oil and lemongrass has the zip to wake you up in the morning, while eucalyptus and lavender pair up for calm vibes. What essential oils you choose to use is up to you. Even though I practice yoga in the morning, I went with the eucalyptus/lavender duo because I just like the smell of lavender.
Supplies
- Small spray bottle
- Small funnel (optional)
Directions
- Fill spray bottle 3/4 full with distilled water. A small funnel is handy for this, but not necessary.
- Fill other quarter of the bottle full of witch hazel.
- Carefully drop five drops each of your chosen essential oils combo.
- Shake to mix.
- Spray generously on yoga mat and wipe with microfiber cloth.
