Whether you’re thinking of buying a yoga mat or some other natural rubber product or you already have one, you may be wondering what is the best way to care for and store it so that it lasts you a long time and remains usable.
What is natural rubber and what is it made of?
Natural rubber is obtained by tapping the tropical rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis, also known as the rubber tree. Another name for natural rubber is natural latex. It originates from Africa, Southeast Asia and South America.
Workers extract the latex from the bark of the rubber tree. It’s made up of one-third rubber and the rest of water. The raw rubber is separated from the water, rolled into sheets and dried.
Natural rubber consists of long polyisoprene chains that can be cross-linked together under pressure and heat by adding sulphur. This process is called vulcanisation. The mass is heated under pressure to about 150°C for about 10 minutes. This gives the material its elastic properties.
What makes natural rubber so special?
The fact that the latex comes from rubber trees alone makes it special. This is because trees are renewable and latex can be extracted from them for many years without having to cut them down. Natural rubber is also biodegradable. This indicates that the material has a good environmental performance.
Yoga mats are not only environmentally friendly, but are also extremely slip resistant and durable when taken care of.
Can natural rubber cause health problems?
Latex products, i.e. rubber or natural rubber, are generally non-toxic and PVC-free. However, chemicals such as plasticisers, some of which are hazardous to health, may be added during the vulcanisation process.
In addition, the term natural rubber is not protected by law. Products containing a high proportion of synthetic rubber may still be called natural rubber. It’s therefore important to find out where the manufacturer sources its raw materials.
What styles of yoga are natural rubber mats suitable for?
Natural rubber mats are suitable for all yoga styles, but especially for sweat-inducing styles such as vinyasa yoga, ashtanga, power yoga or hot yoga. The extreme slip resistance gives you a secure grip and also prevents injuries. The secure stability takes the strain off your back and joints.
Natural rubber yoga mats have a strong rubber smell at first, but this wears off considerably within two weeks. The quickest way to get rid of the odour is to air the yoga mats out or to clean them with a suitable product.
In addition, there are different types of surface structures. For example, there are yoga mats with a closed cell structure that prevents sweat and bacteria from penetrating. On the other hand, there are open cell mats that provide a good grip.
How do you care for and clean your natural rubber mat?
Due to the natural nature of the material, the mats are high maintenance. This is because sweat, dirt and bacteria can penetrate the open-pored surfaces of the mats. If you take good care of your mat, you will enjoy it for a long time.
For example, there are special plant-based cleaning agents designed for natural rubber mats that you can use to wipe down your mat.
Alternatively, you can also make your own vinegar and water solution. Simply add a few drops of vinegar to a large bowl of lukewarm water, wipe your mat with it, then wipe it with a damp cloth and allow the mat to dry thoroughly.
Ideally, hang your yoga mat over a drying rack or the back of a chair for at least 24 hours to make sure that it’s completely dry. Vinegar is used because it has an antibacterial effect and prevents changes in the material. This is why manufacturers’ sprays for natural rubber mats usually contain a small amount of vinegar.
Incorrect or prolonged storage may cause the colour to fade and damage caused by sunlight or heat. You should only roll up your yoga mat when it’s clean and dry.
If you’re storing your mat for an extended period of time, you should place it in a yoga mat bag and store it away from light to prevent your mat from becoming porous or discoloured. If you’re not going to use your yoga mat for a long period of time, it would be advisable to unroll it from time to time and wipe it down with a damp cloth.
What not to do with your natural rubber mat
Do not use soap, detergents or other cleaning agents to clean natural rubber mats as these can reduce their slip resistance.
In addition, essential oils should not be used for cleaning. If oil is to be used at all, then it should only be applied one drop at a time with plenty of lukewarm water.
Direct sunlight and too much light can cause the material to become porous and discolour. This light or oxidation damage can also occur if you do not move the mat enough or do not use it for weeks.
In addition, do not put the yoga mat in the washing machine as this will damage the material and the mat will soak up water like a sponge.
In general, the following applies to natural rubber yoga mats: never treat with alcohol or other disinfectant solutions.
Finally, we should also mention that signs of use are inevitable. The more you use your mat, the quicker signs of wear will appear on the surface. For example, the abrasive movement of the heels can wear down the surface.
Generally speaking, the surface can wear down due to external mechanical influences. This is normal and part of it.
As you can see, it’s not too difficult to properly care for and store a natural rubber yoga mat. If you pay attention to a few things, you’ll be able to use it for a long time.
If you don’t have the right care product or would like to buy a natural rubber mat, then take a look at our shop to see if you can find something suitable.
