Best Yoga Mats are becoming antibacterial

According to the latest news from the yoga mat industry, more companies are becoming interested in antimicrobial additives for their mats. This article discusses both advantages and possible drawbacks of using new technology to help create maintenance-free yoga mats.

Yoga Mat maintenance

It’s apparent, especially if you read our previous articles on cleaning, that yoga mats require regular maintenance. If you choose a natural rubber or cotton yoga mat this problem becomes especially apparent. Most natural materials are very bacteria-friendly. When you are doing asanas on a porous natural yoga mat and wonder how the surface stays so dry note that most of your sweat is absorbed by the mat. Sweat mixed with dust and skin particles is a perfect living environment for germs and microorganisms. This creates a huge problem if you don’t wash your mat frequently (and most people don’t).

The solution

Recently, yoga mat manufacturers have started adding antibacterial additives, such as MicroBan to their mat material. How does this work? 
According to this excerpt taken from MicroBan’s website:
Microban® technologies are built-in to a product during the manufacturing process and becomes an intrinsic part of the product inside and at the surface. When microbes, such as bacteria, mold and mildew that can cause stains, odors and product deterioration come in contact with the product surface, Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microbe and disrupts key cell functions so that the microbe cannot function, grow or reproduce.
This additive works really well, and many consumer appliance manufacturers have started adding this compound to their new devices. Humidifiers and similar devices can especially benefit from reducing bacterial growth. Does this work with yoga mats? You bet it does. Tests have showed a significant reduction is odor emanating from fitness equipment treated with microban. 

However, we feel that MicroBan using pretty harsh chemicals that inhibit cell growth may somehow cause damage to your skin. No matter what the microban people say, your mat is still treated with chemicals that destroy life. While the manufacturers of Microban also claim their products have been used and tested for over 30 years, we would still be hesitant about the eco-friendliness of this compound.

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Last updated by admin at December 3, 2011.