Caring for Your Yoga Mat Bag
Yoga mat bags are very important because not only will it hold some of your personal items when you are going to yoga classes but these bags also protect your yoga mat from tear and dirt.
For the budget conscious, a yoga mat bag that is made of cotton or linen is already a good deal. Although linen and cotton are not as durable as the more expensive leather material, they will do especially if owners will learn to take good care of their mat bags.]
In fact, some even prefer cotton and linen yoga mat bags because they are washable and easier to carry compared to leather that you cannot wash. Still, leather yoga mat bags are recommended for people who will practice yoga on the long term as leather-made bags are more durable and will not wear out.
In caring for your cotton and linen yoga mat bags, you should remember to always abide by the washing instructions. This is important as some materials may not be machine washable. Also, if you have chosen yoga mat bags that are colorful, make sure that you wash them with clothes that are also colored.
Before putting your cotton and linen yoga bags in the dryer, make sure that the material is not the kind that will shrink. To be on the safe side, when drying press the cool setting or just let it naturally dry by laying it flat under the sun.
Leather may be durable but it does not mean that you will take it for granted and not care for it. Leather mat bags are trickier to take care of because you cannot wash them except through dry cleaning, which can be awfully expensive when done frequently.
As prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, it is important that you already anticipate the problem and put some water and stain repellent in the leather immediately after purchase. These are available in your local hardware stores.
Stuff your leather bag with tissue paper when you are not using it. This is done to maintain the shape of the bag. Another way to preserve the appearance of the bag is to wipe away dust after use. You can use a dry cloth or a slightly wet cloth. Leather needs to be stored in places where there is open air. Never ever store your leather bag mat bag in a plastic bag because this will only increase the possibility of moisture and molds settling in.
You should also avoid exposing it to too much heat or humidity by putting it directly under the heat of the sun. People often make the mistake of leaving their leather yoga bags inside the car for weeks. Heat from the sun when the car is parked can be damaging to the leather.
Another kind of leather which is even trickier to take care of is suede, which can be very high-maintenance. Wiping it dry can be very hard as the surface can turn rough and hard when not done properly. If you suddenly spill something on suede, try to wipe off as much of the stain as you can. Use a suede brush and gently brush the stain off. Do this until the leather is completely dry. This will loosen and soften the material.
|
