Is Jade yoga mat worth it?
It's grippy yet soft, padded yet pliable, and, yes, it most certainly stands up to dog nails. Perhaps the best part of all is that it's made in the U.S. out of natural rubber with no PVC or EVA. Jade also uses emissions-free manufacturing and plants a tree for every mat sold.
As a general rule, a Jade yoga mat should last between 1-2 years if you have a daily dynamic yoga practice. If you practice a gentle form of yoga twice a week, then expect your Jade to last much longer, around 4-5 years.
Unfortunately, many cleaning products (alcohol, petroleum based solvents, soaps, or high concentration essential oils) on your mat. These products adversely impact the natural rubber in our mats, causing it to break down, dry out, and become discolored. Essential oils also may cause your mat to become slippery.
JadeYoga mats are made of natural rubber which carry their own typical smell. This odour is completely harmless and fades over time. Air the mat regularly to speed up the process. However, a certain residual odour will remain and will be perceived differently by each person.
Yoga Mat Thickness and Weight
If you're not sure where to start, choose a mat that's about 1/8-in. thick (or 3.175 mm), a pretty standard thickness. These mats are excellent for those in a strong, flowing practice. They allow solid contact with the floor, which helps with stability during a variety of poses.
To make your yoga mat more sticky by hand
You can either use a few drops of dishwasher detergent in a couple of cups of water or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. The acidity of the vinegar will help to melt away the greasy surface film but will be gentle enough not to penetrate the mat and do any damage.
Wipe the top of the mat with a microfiber cloth after each use. You can also use a solution of either oil-free soap or vinegar and warm water in a 1-to-20 ratio. Apply the solution to the cloth when wiping rather than directly to the mat. Don't machine wash.
Yes. Jade mats can be cleaned in a front loading washing machine with hot water and no detergent.
The Jade Harmony mat is overall a nice, lightweight travel-sized mat. It holds up fairly well in a Hot Yoga class, but is not as sticky as some of our competitors. We recommend you use a Yogitoes towel or other sticky mat towel over this one to avoid slipping.
Applying sea salt to the upper layer of your mat is the ideal way to remove a bit of a layer that causes slipperiness. Mix a teaspoon of salt with water and spray the mixture over the mat. Leave it for 12 - 24 hours and make sure to wash it with plain water afterward.
Does quality of yoga mat matter?
A quality yoga mat is extremely important to help maintain your balance and enable you to have the correct posture. If you are in a yoga practice that makes you sweat, you want a yoga mat that is sticky enough that you don't slip on the it.
If you are a dedicated yogi, investing in a more expensive yoga mats are worth it, especially if made in an environmentally responsible way. Yoga is not just about practicing asanas but also about living in a way that does not bring harm to life on this planet.
