How to Make Your Own Yoga Mat Spray

As the rainy season approaches, Bali is experiencing a stretch of hot days. Have you noticed any unpleasant smells coming from your beloved yoga mat during practice in this humid climate? Even though you may not see it, sweat and body oils can build up on your mat after each use. Leaving it uncleaned can lead to odors and may even cause your mat to wear out faster. That’s why regular maintenance is recommended. In this post, I’ll show you how to make your own yoga mat spray using essential oils. While natural yoga mat sprays are available in Bali, making your own is more cost-effective and allows you to customize the scent to your liking.

What You’ll Need :

・Spray bottle (light-blocking glass is the best, but if you are using plastic, polyethylene (PE) is recommended)
・Absolute ethanol
・Purified water
・Your preferred essential oils

Instructions :

1. Pour ethanol into the spray bottle, then add appropriate amount of your preferred essential oils. Close the lid and shake well to mix.
2. Add distilled water, shake again, and you’re done! The mixture will emulsify and turn cloudy.

・Be sure to use up the spray within a month.
・The ratio of ethanol to water should be about 1:3〜4 (ex. 50ml ethanol with 150〜200ml water).
・Essential oils don’t dissolve in water, so always mix them with ethanol first before adding the purified water.

How to Use :

Shake well, spray on your mat, and wipe off with a dry cloth. Let the mat air dry completely before rolling it up to avoid trapping moisture.

For a yoga mat spray, I recommend essential oils that have antibacterial and deodorizing properties. Peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus and lavender are easy to find everywhere also here in Bali, and their familiar scents won’t bother others around you. Start with these and blend them to create your own unique scent!

My studio, at Loft Yoga, I make my mat spray by mixing tee tree essential oil with either “Lullaby” by OWELLNESS, a blend of orang, peppermint, frankincense, and lavender or the “Seaside Citrus Botanical Blend” by Sensatia, which includes grapefruit, lavender, and rosemary. Sensatia is a skincare brand that was founded in 2000 in Jasri, Karangasem, a fishing village in Bali, and is truly made in Bali. It is a brand with a natural concept that uses organic essential oils. It is made using high-quality ingredients such as herbs from Bali and Indonesia. Outlets are easy to find in Bali.

If you’re drawn to a particular scent, it’s likely because your body instinctively recognizes its benefits. Practicing yoga surrounded by scents you love can enhance your overall well-being.