Kathy's Family
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Recently, I went to yoga class all ready for a much needed bliss session. I settled down onto my mat into a comfortable cross-legged position, closed my eyes, and took a nice, deep inhale and smelled…cat pee. That's right, instead of melting into a state of calm; I couldn't relax until I figured out where the acidic stench was coming from. Was it me? Was it the dude to my right, in downward facing dog? A few sun salutations later, I figured out the source of the stench—which smelled stronger in seated or reclined asanas (or positions), closer the floor. It was my yoga mat, encrusted with sweat and bacteria non-visible to the eye, but certainly recognizable to the nose.
I had two options available; I could either to feel like I was practicing yoga in my cat's litter box, or throw away my mat for a new one (and have it sit in the landfill for years on end). Neither of these seemed appealing so when I heard about Happy Yoga Mat Wash from Kathy's Family, I had to learn more.
The USDA-certified organic castile soap is made from renewable, certified organic vegetable oils, extracts and botanicals like coconut, olive, jojoba, tea tree, lavender and citrus, organic aloe vera and rosemary extract and is based on a antifungal and antibacterial formula free from harsh synthetic fragrances and dyes, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (which makes me break out in hives), phosphates, ammonia, and other chemical nasties.
An added perk is that the mat wash is multi-purpose and can be used on all types of exercise equipment with water safe surfaces, from balance balls to foam blocks to stretching straps. It also wipes away chemical residues found on non-eco-friendly made equipment, like my PVC-laden yoga mat, which I purchased before all of the eco-friendly ones hit the market. I can also use the spray to eliminate germs from public bathroom door handles, instead of guiltily using a piece of paper towel to prop open the door.
If you're like me and you wish to wash away the yoga mat blues, pick up a 4-ounce spray bottle for $7.95 or the studio size 32-ounce bottle for $16.95. (If you love the product, a gallon refill bottle is available as well.)
The instructions are easy. Spray a damp cloth 3-4 times with Happy Yoga Mat Wash and lightly scrub. Then wipe away the wash with a clean cloth and air dry. Take a deep inhale, and say "Ahhhhh."::www.kathys-family.com
Difficulty level: Easy

























