The rubber plantations of Malaysia and Indonesia provide the material for our Para Rubber Yoga Mats and Para Rubber XL Yoga Mats. Native to South America, rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) produce latex. Latex is the source material for all rubber products. While more than half the rubber in manufacturing today is synthetic—from petroleum sources—we use only natural tree-sourced rubber in our mats.
Rubber’s name comes from one of its early uses—as an eraser. When latex first arrived in England in 1770, Joseph Priestley observed that it was great for rubbing pencil marks off paper. In other words, the new material was the perfect rubber.
Friction is what makes rubber the ideal material for an eraser. It’s also the quality that makes it a great nonskid yoga mat. Plus, rubber is sturdy, flexible and provides excellent cushioning. We offer two great choices for rubber mats: the Para Rubber Yoga Mat and its longer sibling, the Para Rubber XL Yoga Mat.
Caring for Your Rubber Yoga Mat
Rubber is a sturdy material—think 50,000 miles on most standard tires. But because the surface of rubber yoga mats is spongier than that of tires, they are a bit more delicate. Here are some tips for caring for your rubber mat:
- To clean, dip a fabric towel or clean cloth—not a paper towel—into a warm, 1:20 solution of mild dish soap and water. Wring out the towel, and wipe your mat very gently.
- PureMat Gear Wash—in lemon or lavender scent—is great for cleaning your rubber yoga mat. Spray a small amount of Gear Wash onto your mat and, as above, wipe with a towel or clean cloth.
- Do not use paper towels to clean your rubber mat. Paper towels disintegrate in contact with a rubber surface, so little bits of the paper towel will get stuck on your mat—very annoying!
- Hang to dry.
If You Have Latex Allergies …
Some people are sensitive to latex. ALL natural rubber products are derived from latex harvested from rubber trees. People with latex allergies should not use our rubber yoga mats. Symptoms of a latex allergy can include mild itching or redness, sneezing or coughing, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. The Mayo Clinic‘s website has great information on latex allergies, their symptoms and treatment.
If you have a latex allergy but are interested in using a sustainable Yoga mat, we have lots of great alternatives. Check out these great mats: Earth Elements, Sattva Jute. For details on Earth Elements mats, as well as their “care and feeding,” visit this post.
I just got a new hugger mugger yoga mat…I love the color, the grip, the cushion of the mat, however, it smells quite strongly of rubber…when I do a practice on the mat, my hands smell like rubber as well
Is there a way I’m supposed to treat the mat before using?
thanks
beth
Hi,
Here’s what we suggest:
To clean, use a mat wash or wipe the surface down with a warm, wet towel. Air-dry out of direct sunlight. Do not machine wash or soak in water.
Some people can be sensitive to the smell of natural rubber. It will become less noticeable after the mat has been aired out and wiped down for a few days, and will continue to dissipate over time.
Let us know how this works for you!