Healthier Yoga Mats
Healthier Yoga Mats
I love staying active as part of a healthy lifestyle. One of my essential tools for working out is a yoga mat. I researched healthier yoga mat options as many conventional mats contain harmful chemicals such as PVC, phthalates, and DWR. While these chemicals are used to protect your mat from moisture and degradation, they are chemicals I want to avoid due to their negative health impact. I looked for yoga mats that offered support, cleaned easily, and were made with natural materials such as wool, cork, natural rubber, cotton, or hemp. Thankfully, as awareness of the impact of harmful chemicals has grown, so have the options for healthier alternatives for many products, including yoga mats. Here are my top choices:
Image from Bennd Yoga
This Ayurvedic yoga mat is made of 100% ethically sourced raw cotton and dyed naturally with plants and herbs. The mats are hand-loomed and brushed with natural rubber latex on the underside of the mat so that it grips to the floor. I appreciate that the founder of this company was inspired to create these yoga mats after realizing every time she practiced yoga [on basic, most available yoga mats] she was absorbing chemicals and inhaling fumes resulting from mats made with synthetic materials, or even if made with natural materials, most often chemically dyed and treated with toxic binding agents. So Bennd’s mats
are completely chemical free and free of any synthetic fibers, as well as PVC, BPA, carcinogenic, and phthalate free. Bennd’s products are naturally antibacterial, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic. Each yoga mat comes with a travel bag and 2oz of all-natural, powdered soap nut to clean your mat with (their website offers instructions including how often to wash your mat). I love the intentionality of this company, from the organic fertilizer they use to grow their herbs, to composting all leftover organic materials from their plant-based dyes, biodegradable products, and low-impact packaging, and just how unique and beautiful the mat itself is.
Material: 100% ethically sourced raw cotton. Underside brushed with natural latex directly from rubber trees in India.
Product Care: Hand wash with provided soap nut powder and water. Rinse and lay flat to dry out of direct sunlight.
Product Dimensions: 72”L x 24”W
Cost: $170
Image from Brentwood Home
This yoga mat is GOTS certified 100% organic cotton with a non-slip base of 100% FSC certified natural rubber latex for grip. It is super absorbent, lightweight, washable, non-toxic, and biodegradable. The fabric on the topside is woven to be textured and absorbent of moisture, so it is less slippery and offers some cushioned support. These mats are free of any synthetic rubbers, adhesives, PVC, polyurethane foam, or other toxic materials.
Material: 100% GOTS organic certified cotton and FSC-certified natural Dunlop latex
Product Care: Machine or hand wash in room temp or cold water. Use soap scarcely. Washing or tumble drying rejuvenates the cushioning of the mat. See website for additional details.
Product Dimensions: 71”L x 24”W
Cost: $159
Image from Amazon
Natural rubber is a good option for those looking for grip on smooth surfaces such as hardwood and tile, especially if you are taking a hot yoga class or tend to get sweaty. Jade yoga mats are made from entirely toxin-free materials, with no PVC, phthalates, heavy metals, or other harsh chemicals. Nonetheless, the natural rubber does have a very strong smell, so I recommend keeping it outside to off-gas for a few days before using, and for anyone with heightened sensitivities to consider other mat options. Otherwise, this mat holds up well, is easy to clean, and offers good support. I also like that sustainability is top of mind for this company, and for every mat sold, they plant a tree through their partnership with Trees for the Future.
Material: Rubber
Product Care: Hand wash with cold water and mild soap. Rinse and lay flat to dry.
Product Dimensions: 68”L x 24”W
Cost: $84.95
Image from Oko Living
The Oko Living Herbal Mat is a GOTS certified yoga rug and made of 100% organic cotton with a natural rubber coated bottom. It utilizes Ayurvedic plant dyes for coloring (versus typical dyes which may contain chemicals and carcinogens) and is hand-loomed to make a mat that will last much longer than typical mats. Like the Bennd yoga mats, these yoga mats are unique in their aesthetic, as well as incorporation of soothing herbs such as turmeric, neem, and holy basil infused into mat so it has a subtle and sweet smell. It is entirely free of chemicals, heavy metals, PVC, BPA, and phthalates, and the company uses no plastic packaging.
Material: GOTS certified cotton with natural rubber-coated bottom
Product Care: Machine washable but hand wash recommended
Dimensions: 72”L x 25”W
Cost: $174
Image from Nest.ca
The top of this mat is made from 100% undyed merino wool and the bottom has natural rubber upper dots for traction. I like that this one has a Oeko-tex Standard 100 certification so I can trust that the mat is free from harmful levels of toxic substances. The pure wool is breathable, neutralizes odor, and is biodegradable. This mat does have a slight odor from the natural rubber which those on the sensitive side may need to avoid and is not well suited for those with a latex allergy.
Material: Wool, latex, and polyester side stitching
Product Care: Wool naturally neutralizes odors and therefore airing or vacuuming is often enough to keep the mat clean.If washing, hand wash with a gentle soap specified for wool and silk (Nest recommends this soap from Sonnet). Air dry.
Dimensions: 79”L x 29.5W
Cost: $225
Image from Scoria
Cork is a good option as it has natural antimicrobial properties. This mat has natural rubber on the back side to provide traction for smooth surfaces. Natural rubber is not completely chemical-free but is a much healthier alternative than synthetic rubber. This mat is not suited for those with a latex allergy, and it did have a slight chemical smell though it was not as strong as the Jade Harmony Natural Rubber Yoga Mat as the rubber was only on the backside. I found the mat had good traction on hardwood, a good grip, and the material offered enough cushion on a hard surface.
Material: 100% natural cork and rubber
Product Care: Wipe with a clean cloth with soap and water. Lay flat too dry. Store cork side out
Dimensions: 72”L x 24”W
Cost: $89