How long do Jade Harmony mats last?
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.
Live Science Verdict. The Jade Harmony yoga mat is an excellent buy if you're after a sustainable and earth-friendly mat without compromising grip and durability.
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.
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.
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.
Jade Yoga. Wipe down with a damp cloth weekly, or after every sweaty or hot yoga session. Mats can be machine washed, but don't use detergent. This should only be done infrequently for a deep clean.
It's the smell of natural rubber. It will smell more if the mat gets hot, so don't leave it in the car. And you probably wouldn't like it for Hot Yoga/Bikram style.
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.
A good mat should last six months to a year before it's time to replace it. Some fabric mats can last longer, years in fact, but they can begin to see wear as well. The more you use your yoga mat, the faster it will need replacement.
Always air dry your mat after practice and after cleaning to prevent mold and odors.
Should yoga mat be smooth side up or down?
The smooth surface should face down
When practicing yoga, you will find that the yoga mat has two sides, one side is striped and the other side is smoother. The smooth side of the yoga mat should be placed downward and the Striped side should be placed upward.
Try a salt scrub: Giving your new mat an "exfoliating" treatment can help break down the initial layer and help you find stability in poses. Sprinkle your mat with a mix of sea salt and warm water, and either wipe it down with a stiff-bristled brush (if you have one) or a cotton washcloth.

Blue is very comforting, which is why it is a fabulous choice for a yoga mat. All shades of blue promote serenity and peace, as the color blue is very cooling and soothing for most people.
manduka.com's top 5 competitors in December 2022 are: prana.com, aloyoga.com, shop.lululemon.com, zappos.com, and more. According to Similarweb data of monthly visits, manduka.com's top competitor in January 2023 is prana.com with 866.3K visits.
Tacky mats should be changed when they are visibily dirty. How often tacky mats are changed depends on the area. The more foot traffic there is the more often tacky mats will have to be changed or replaced.
Watering: Refrain from overwatering your trailing jade. About once a week, insert your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle to check the moisture level. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
An initial slippery texture in a new yoga mat is not a sign of bad quality or defect. In fact, many high-end PVC mats like the Manduka Pro have this protective layer. This film wears off naturally with use, so your new mat will gain more traction over time.
Disinfectant wipes or sprays are generally not recommended for use on yoga mats. Harsh disinfectants, like bleach and alcohol, have the potential to degrade a mat over time. (Though the acidity of vinegar has the potential to do so, too.)
You can use any commercial all-purpose cleaner to wipe a mat free of grime and sweat and bacteria.
To deep clean a closed-cell yoga mat:
Mix warm water and a few drops of dish soap in a bowl. (Be careful not to add too much soap.) Dip the rag into the soapy water, then clean the mat from top to bottom, prioritizing dirty spots, using a circular motion. Wipe the mat clean with a towel.
Are Manduka mats worth it?
Should You Buy the Manduka PRO? The Manduka PRO is one of the most expensive mats in our review but well worth the money if you're looking for a long-lasting yoga mat. The closed-cell construction's lack of absorbency keeps the mat moisture, sweat, and dirt free.
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.
The smooth side of the reversible mat is softer and my personal choice of side by default. The textured side is grippier and therefore a better choice if you sweat a lot, or are looking for a reliable non-slip yoga mat for hot yoga.
The way you store your mat matters too.
Since microbes like bacteria and fungi thrive in warm, damp environments, so ensure your mat is dry before you roll it up, says Dr. Theel. This can help prevent mold and mildew, prolonging the life of your mat.
Pick a mat that's too thin and you may experience a lot of discomfort in your knees, wrists and ankles when you hold poses for a long time. At the other end of the spectrum, one that is just too thick for you can slow down your movement and keep you from feeling 100% supported – you'll just hopelessly sink into it.
Extra thick mats generally fall within the range of 6mm to 12mm, the thicker end of the spectrum being as thick as a regular woolen blanket and may be overkill for the needs of many users. We also typically don't recommend extra thick mats because they are often made from foam or PVC, so aren't at all sustainable.
If a mat is too thin, your ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows will definitely feel that difference. Many classes take place in a studio with a hard floor, and if you have a mat that is too thin to the point where you can feel the floor beneath you, this will negatively impact your practice and make your body feel sore.
Any public location – like a yoga studio, health club or recreational center – can be a potential ‟hot spot” for bed bugs. That's because bed bugs hitch rides from infested homes, apartments, offices and hotels on your classmates' clothes, gym bags and other personal belongings – yoga mats included.
- Kneepads! We hear many people tell us about how they have some knee pain when the surface is hard. ...
- Donate to Animal Shelters. ...
- Donate to your local retirement community. ...
- Give out gently used mats to someone new to yoga. ...
- Shelf liners. ...
- Camping. ...
- Heat blocker in the car. ...
- Mouse Pad.
In general, aim to clean your yoga mat at least once a month if you only practice a couple of times a week. However, if you practice yoga every day, aim to clean your mat more often, about once every couple of weeks.
Should I use a towel on my yoga mat?
Why do I need a yoga towel? It absorbs your sweat and increases in grip so you don't slide on your mat, risking injury. Yoga towels can also prevent your mat from moving because it prevents sweat from seeping within. Plus, a yoga towel can protect you from a dirty mat if you are using one from the studio.
Vinegar is not suitable for some mats, like certain ones from Manduka; others may become slippery if you use too much essential oil in your cleaning mix.
- Step 1: In a spray bottle, mix a solution of vinegar, baking soda, and a few drops of tea tree oil. ...
- Step 2: Spray the solution onto a microfiber towel or cloth—some mats should not be sprayed directly—and wipe down the mat.
- Step 3: Allow the mat to dry completely before storing.
You're sweating enough to make the yoga mat slick.
Some people naturally sweat more than others. Or maybe you're doing Bikram yoga and the room is 105 degrees F with 40% humidity. A wet mat can easily become a slippery mat.
The alignment lines help with body positioning to ensure correct poses and avoid injury.
Yoga is most often done with a yoga mat on an even, sturdy, hardwood floor. This is an ideal stable surface for staying grounded and balanced while holding yoga poses. For many, practicing yoga on the carpet is more convenient but many yoga practitioners caution against it.
How long should a yoga mat last? A good mat should last six months to a year before it's time to replace it. Some fabric mats can last longer, years in fact, but they can begin to see wear as well. The more you use your yoga mat, the faster it will need replacement.
Our favorite yoga mat, Lululemon's Reversible Mat, is said to last for many, many years, and you can expect a somewhat basic, generic mat to last 6–24 months with frequent use.
After hours and hours of performing all kind of yoga poses on your mat, you'll need to replace your yoga mat. People usually replace their yoga mats every six to twelve months, depending on the intensity of their sessions. Performing yoga on a worn yoga mat can negatively impact your body and lead to serious injuries.
Replace your mat every six months.
Additionally, the longer your mat remains at the front of your home, the more foot traffic it sees, which can wear it down and prevent it from doing its primary job: keeping dirt out for good.
Should you wash your yoga mat?
It's worth taking the time to wipe down your yoga mat briefly after every practice, as well as to give it a deep clean every month or so. Cleaning removes the buildup of dirt and sweat on your mat, which can keep your mat grippy and extend its life.
The grippy surface is just what I need to feel strong and stable in my home and community practices. With it, you will get a mat that truly feels like it fits into your routine, especially if you'll be carrying it around with you. The Mat retails for $98, and I think it's well worth the money.
Lululemon's mat has two sides: a smooth, “sticky” polyurethane side that makes your hands and feet adhere to the mat, and a spongy, natural rubber “grippy” side that instead provides traction via a textured surface.
DIY = repurpose old yoga mats
Cut your mat in half, glue on some pretty stones, and use it as a doormat. If you have a few extra mats, stack them securely, cover the stack with a patterned cloth, then throw some pillows on top to make a 'down-to-Earth' lounging cushion.
Try a salt scrub: Giving your new mat an "exfoliating" treatment can help break down the initial layer and help you find stability in poses. Sprinkle your mat with a mix of sea salt and warm water, and either wipe it down with a stiff-bristled brush (if you have one) or a cotton washcloth.