How to fix a slippery yoga mat

A yoga mat made of PVC can sometimes be a bit slippery when it is new. This has various causes, but the most important is the way these yoga mats are made. In the factory each yoga mat gets a small layer of fat to prevent it from sticking to the machines during the production process. This makes your new yoga mat feel smooth and greasy when you take it out of the package. Fortunately, something is easy to do here. Smoothness can also have to do with the impact of the mat, or with perspiration during your yoga practice, but there are also solutions for that.

How can I make my yoga mat less slippery?

To make your yoga mat stiff you can best degrease it for use. This can be done with a mild detergent such as a water / vinegar solution, shampoo or, for example, dish soap and a damp cloth, sponge or soft brush. Then rinse your yoga mat under a lukewarm hot shower so that you are sure that no soap residue is left behind, and then roll your mat taut in a large towel to express the excess water as much as possible (do not use a high pressure cleaner, as this can damage the mat). Hang your yoga mat for a few days so that it is completely dry before you use it (not in the sun or over a heat source).

You can also degrease the 4mm Love yoga mats by washing them in the washing machine (up to 60 degrees), but with thicker mats this is not recommended because it is too heavy for the washing machine.

Note: Eko yoga mats made of natural rubber or TPE should NOT be degreased. These do not have a layer of fat from the factory anyway, but are also much more vulnerable to cleaning agents, so chances are you will damage your mat rather than make it stiffer.

How do I further develop my yoga mat?

The more sturdy yoga mats such as the Love Generation Yogastudio Mat and the yoga mats from the PRO and PROLite series from Manduka can also be further 'acted in' if necessary. This can be done by scrubbing them with coarse sea salt or with a not too hard scourer. Your yoga mat is becoming stiffer by use anyway, but by scrubbing you can speed up this process.

Note: With the print yoga mats from Love Generation, this working in is not recommended because you can damage the print.

I degreased and worked on my yoga mat but it is still slippery, what now?

If you have degreased and worked on your mat, and it remains smooth, chances are that it will be caused by perspiration during your practice. If that is also the case with you, then the best solution is a yoga towel. This absorbs all perspiration fluid so that you always keep a good grip, even during hot yoga or another intensive yoga practice.

Another option is to choose a different type of yoga mat. Yoga mats made from natural rubber or TPE are often a bit stiffer and have an open cell structure, so they naturally absorb more moisture than a yoga mat made of PVC. If you prefer not to work with a towel, and you do not sweat very much during your practice, then an Eko yoga mat may be the better option for you.