When was the last time you properly cleaned your yoga mat? :: crickets ::

Join the club if you answer is ‘never’! Saying it out loud is a little embarrassing, considering where my yoga mat has been over the last eight (gasp!) years. In order of the nastiest to cleanest places, my yoga mat has made frequent visits to a:

1. College gym floor
2. Public gym floor
3. Yoga studio floor
4. Private gym floor
5. My apartment floor (ok, this one is clean)

I’ve sprayed my mat down a few times over the years, but never thought to put it through the washer. So, in honor of yesterday’s March 4th (MARCH FORTH!) initiative to make a healthy commitment that you’ll carry the rest of the year, I vowed to spend a minimum of 30 minutes working out (with my clean yoga mat in tow!) 6 days a week. The reason is simple: I’ll feel better about myself, which will then radiate into everything else I do in my life.

Shout out to my work bestie, Shannon, for introducing me to the “March Forth” concept. I absolutely love it. Now, let’s all end each work day with a pep talk to get our a**es to the gym!

DIY Cleaning Your Yoga Mat

Supplies

• 1 dirty yoga mat
• 1 cap full of laundry detergent
• Washer machine
• Optional: Splash of bleach

Directions

1. Put your dirty yoga mat in a washer machine.
   
2. Set the temperature to “hot” and fill the water to the highest level. Set to “normal” cycle.
   
3. Pour in 1 cap full of laundry detergent and add the bleach (if using).
4. Let the washer run its cycle. Then lay the yoga mat flat to dry.