I sweat. I sweat a lot. I have no idea what it’s like to be one of those pretty girls at the gym who merely glows. I’m too busy adjusting the sweatband at my hairline and toweling off the sweat that is literally rolling off my face and arms. (And that is why I never enjoy and will never again do hot yoga.) But now that I’m a regular yogi committed to three vinyasa classes a week—I love it so!—I realize that I need to take better care of my mat, which is the victim to all that salty sweat.
A yoga mat spray is a great way to keep your mat sterilized and smelling lovely. There are plenty on the market, but it just didn’t make sense to pay so much for something I could easily make myself. After combing through a few recipes, here’s the concoction inspired by Free People‘s that I came up with:
Materials/ingredients:
- Glass spray bottle (essential oils can corrode plastic, so I got this one)
- Distilled water
- Lavender oil
- Tea tree oil
- Witch hazel or white vinegar (optional)
Fill your bottle 3/4 full with distilled water, and then add essential oils. For my mix, I used 35 drops of lavender and 10 drops of tea tree oil. (Store your oils in the fridge to keep them fresh.) Tea tree oil has disinfecting properties, but if you want to get extra clean, add vinegar or a non-alcohol version of witch hazel.
Spray your mat, let sit for a few minutes and then wipe it dry.
All that for about $25, and so much leftover ingredients that I’ll be able to make plenty more sprays. Enjoy!
I can relate, it’s so unsightly but I sweat a lot when I exercise. Though, it sort of makes me feel like I accomplished a lot when I do.lools. This is a great idea, and I might just make a couple of sprays for myself. Can this be used in any surface?