FAQ'S
FEATURES
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE EKO® MAT AND OTHER ECO-FRIENDLY YOGA MATS ON THE MARKET?
Durability and Performance: Typical rubber eco-friendly yoga mats can be spongy and have an open-cell surface, due to the process that natural tree rubber goes through. Because they are open-cell, the durability of the mat is compromised and most rubber eco-friendly yoga mats break down fairly quickly, especially when exposed to humidity and/or sunlight.
In order to solve these problems, Manduka created the eKO® mat with dual layers, each having unique material properties to provide superior durability and the ultimate combination of cushion and grip. The top layer is sealed-cell and imprinted with a slip resistant pattern, making it more durable than typical rubber mats and also grippy. The bottom layer is thick and spongy to provide comfort and cushion on any surface.
The eKO mat is made from natural, non-Amazon forested tree rubber. Unlike typical rubber eco-friendly mats available today, no toxic chemicals have gone into the manufacturing process to make the rubber spongy. Therefore, when the eKO mat is disposed of and biodegrades, it will leave behind no toxic residue.
HOW DO THE DIFFERENT EKO® MATS COMPARE?
Manduka is proud to currently offer the eKO® mat in distinct sizes:
I HAVE A LATEX SENSITIVITY, CAN I USE AN EKO® MAT?
Through Manduka's manufacturing process, the eKO® mat is 99% latex free. If you know you are sensitive to even traces of latex, we recommend you purchase a mat from our other mat series.
IS THE EKO® SERIES COVERED BY THE LIFETIME GUARANTEE?
As the Lifetime Guarantee only covers PRO® Series mats, the eKO® series is not covered under the Lifetime Guarantee.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE LIFESPAN OF THE EKO® SERIES?
The eKO® Series is made of bio-degradable material and is more sensitive than the PRO Series and other mats that are made of more synthetic materials. Since the rubber used for the eKO® Series is all natural and eco-friendly, it will break down and oxidize over time and with use. How fast an eKO® Series wears out can depend on different factors, like environment, use & care and frequency of use.
The benefit of natural rubber is that it has a nice grip, does not need to be “broken in”, is a bit soft for the joints, and is a natural material. However, the trade-off is that since it is natural, it will not have as long of a lifespan as other mats.
If you have a vigorous practice, for example Ashtanga, then we do not recommend the eKO Series. A vigorous practice will speed up the wear process of the eKO Series. For this reason, we recommend yogi's with a vigorous practice the PRO Series.
To maintain the performance of the eKO® Series, use Manduka's Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore.
DO YOU RECOMMEND THE EKO® SERIES FOR VIGOROUS YOGA PRACTICES?
No - The eKO® Series is made of natural tree rubber and are therefore more sensitive compared to mats that are made of more synthetic materials. For this reason we do not recommend this mat Series for vigorous daily practices (e.g. Ashtanga) as the mat will start to biodegrade faster. We recommend that vigorous practitioners use a PRO Series, as it is designed for durability and will withstand these practices much longer.
THE EKO® SERIES IS CONSTRUCTED OF A CLOSED-CELL (NON-ABSORBENT) SURFACE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The eKO® Series mat is constructed of a closed-cell catch-grip surface (non-absorbent), which prevents bacteria and moisture from being absorbed. The catch-grip technology provides a perfect balance of grip and drag, which allows you to flow effortlessly between poses.
- Pair the eKO mat with one of our eQua® or Yogitoes® hand yoga towels to absorb moisture and increase grip when starting to sweat.
- During a more warm/sweaty practice pair the eKO mat with one of our eQua® full mat towels or Yogitoes® full mat towels.
- Manduka Yoga Grip Gel is a grip enhancer and evaporating gel that creates a moisture barrier between your skin and your yoga mat. It is specifically designed to support new yogis learning to develop their grip through regular practice.
eKO Series Care
Daily refresh: Mat Wash & Refresh
- Use this product for a daily wash to keep your mat smelling fresh
Monthly restore: Natural Rubber Mat Restore
- Use this product monthly to maintain the performance of the natural rubber material
Thorough clean: Botanical Cleaner
- This product contains Thymol, with natural antiseptic properties. Use this product when your mat needs a thorough clean. Recommended after studio use
Useful Tips
- A Guide to Yoga Towels
- A Guide on How To Clean and Maintain Your Mat Safely
- A Complete Guide to Less Slip In Yoga
- A Few Things To Consider Before Buying A Mat
- New To Yoga: First Essentials
- Meet the eKO, eKOLite and eKO SuperLite
MEET THE EKO SERIES
Learn more about the eKO® Series here!
MY MARBLED/STRIPED EKO SERIES MAT LOOKS DIFFERENT COMPARED TO THE IMAGES ONLINE - IS THIS NORMAL?
The marbled and striped colors are hand-processed and have unique patterns. We can't guarantee the mat will match the image exactly.
USE & CARE
DOES THE EKO® MAT OXIDIZE LIKE OTHER RUBBER MATS ON THE MARKET?
Oxidation, or changes in colour and texture, is a byproduct of all-natural rubber products. Storing your eKO® mat in a dry environment out of sunlight, will prolong the life of the mat. For optimum care, wipe down your mat with water before each use and clean as needed with Manduka’s Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore.
WHY DO I KEEP FROM SLIPPING ON MY EKO®?
Regularly cleaning the eKO® Series with our Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore will keep it in the cleanest and grippiest condition. Natural tree rubber often gets “thirsty” and a good cleaning can make a world of difference in appearance and grip.
If you sweat a lot, there still might be a slight amount of slip in some standing poses and poses like down dog, but if you keep your awareness and energy moving towards, instead of away, from your center of gravity, the "slippage" stops and one can stay firm in the pose. Actually, a little slippage comes in handy in some poses. For instance, during shoulder stand or plow pose, when it's nice to allow the head to slide and the neck to lengthen.
For more tips check out our guide on how to slide less in yoga!
WHY IS A VINEGAR BASE BETTER THAN A WATER BASE FOR NATURAL RUBBER MATS?
Natural rubber yoga mats break down and oxidize over time and with use. This happens with any natural rubber yoga mat on the market. Vinegar restores the rubber and adds moisture and grip back to the mat, while prolonging its lifespan. Use Manduka's Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore to maintain the performance of the eKO® Series.
What makes Manduka Care Solutions better than home solutions?
To put it simply: ingredients and preparation. It’s true, our product, just like homemade solutions, is built on water and essential oil. But, as we all know, water and oil don’t mix – at least not without a lot of help. That’s why we add a bio-based fragrance solubilizer that not only helps our cosmetic level organic essential oil spread evenly through our purified water, but also ensures it stays there (versus separating and floating to the top). Then we thoroughly mix our three simple ingredients in an industrial mixer at 1700 rpm (a home stand mixer tops out at about 280 rpm). That ensures every spray from our bottle delivers the right balance of water and essential oil to your mat.
CAN I DO THE SALT METHOD ON MY EKO® MAT?
No, the salt method is not intended for the eKO® Series. Due to its sensitive material it may cause damage to the mat if the salt method is done on an eKO Series mat.
WILL EXCESSIVE SUN EXPOSURE HAVE AN EFFECT MY EKO SERIES?
Yes - prolonged sun exposure can damage the eKO® Series. Since the rubber used for the eKO® Series is all natural and eco-friendly, it will break down and oxidize over time and with use and exposure to direct sunlight speeds up this process. Once the mat has started to oxidize and dry out, it is not possible to bring it back to its original grippy condition.
To maintain the performance of the eKO® Series use Manduka's Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore.
HOW DO I STORE MY EKO® MAT?
Do not leave the mat exposed to direct sunlight. If wet, allow the mat to dry before rolling up. For best performance, when not in use, keep the eKO® Series rolled and in a bag or cover, as prolonged air and sun exposure can damage the rubber on the mat.
Do not store the eKO Superlite Travel Mat folded. Only fold the mat for traveling purposes and keep the mat rolled together for regular storage.
HOW DO I CARE FOR THE EKO® SERIES?
Without soaking or submerging, use a Manduka's Yoga Mat Wash & Refresh for daily use to maintain a basic level of mat care.
Once a month apply a generous amount of Manduka’s Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore over the entire surface, paying close attention to any areas of decolorization. Allow the cleaner to sit for 5 minutes and then gently use a clean cloth to wipe mat dry before rolling or using.
We do not recommend cleaning your mat with a garden hose, putting it in the bathtub, shower, washing machine, or using a vacuum cleaner, as any of these will likely damage the mat beyond repair. Do not leave the mat exposed to excessive amounts of sunlight. Do not use any type of soap for cleaning, as it will compromise the performance and integrity of the mat. The salt method is not intended for eKO® mats.
What makes Manduka Care Solutions better than home solutions?
To put it simply: ingredients and preparation. It’s true, our product, just like homemade solutions, is built on water and essential oil. But, as we all know, water and oil don’t mix – at least not without a lot of help. That’s why we add a bio-based fragrance solubilizer that not only helps our cosmetic level organic essential oil spread evenly through our purified water, but also ensures it stays there (versus separating and floating to the top). Then we thoroughly mix our three simple ingredients in an industrial mixer at 1700 rpm (a home stand mixer tops out at about 280 rpm). That ensures every spray from our bottle delivers the right balance of water and essential oil to your mat.
THESE MAT CARE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THE EKO® SERIES
The following mat care products can be used on the eKO® Series:
- Yoga Mat Wash & Refresh for daily refresh
- Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Wash for monthly conditioning and restoring
- Botanical Mat Cleaner for thorough clean
Sustainability
ARE THERE TOXIC CHEMICALS USED TO MANUFACTURE THE EKO® SERIES?
The eKO® Series is a natural yoga mat made from sustainably harvested tree rubber. Unlike other rubber mats available today, the foaming agents used to create the eKO® are non-toxic. What this means is that no toxic chemicals have gone into the manufacturing process to soften the rubber. Additionally, instead of using synthetic polyester for reinforcement, we have chosen to use a blend of polyester and natural cotton.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE ABOUT THE EKO® SERIES?
The eKO® Series is a natural yoga mat made from sustainably harvested tree rubber. Unlike other rubber mats available today, the foaming agents used to create the eKO® are non-toxic. What this means is that no toxic chemicals have gone into the manufacturing process to soften the rubber. eKO® Series mats are the most durable natural rubber mats on the market, which means the mat will last longer before you have to replace it, therefore creating less waste. Crafted in Taiwan.
IS THIS NORMAL?
MY EKO® MAT SMELLS - IS THIS NORMAL?
All natural rubber yoga mats have a scent that can be especially strong when the mat is new. The smell is not a result of off-gassing chemicals, as no toxic chemicals have gone into the manufacturing process. Your eKO® mat's natural rubber smell will fade, but not completely vanish due to it's eco-friendly composition.
To make the smell fade more quickly, leave your mat unrolled in an airy, shaded area and wipe the mat down with Manduka’s Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore.
MY EKO® MAT HAS BECOME LESS GRIPPY - IS THIS NORMAL?
When the mat is starting to become less grippy it is due to the rubber drying out. How fast the mat wears out depends on practice and environment. Since the rubber used for the eKO® mat is all natural and eco-friendly, it will break down and oxidize over time and with use, this happens with any natural rubber yoga mat on the market.
To prolong the lifespan of eKO® mats we recommend using our Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore. It contains a vinegar based solution and the vinegar helps keeping the rubber moisturized and in a grippy condition.
MY NATURAL RUBBER MAT HAS WHITE SPOTS ON IT - IS MY MAT RUINED?
Natural rubber experiences a process known as oxidation and can lead to change of color (discoloration) and texture. This is a by-product of all natural rubber products and can occur over time and with use. Oxidation can also happen prematurely due to reasons such as; exposure to sunlight, rolling a wet/moist mat together, or washing it with the wrong type of products. We do not recommend leaving your mat in direct sunlight over an extended period of time or submerging or soaking the mat in water. Discoloration or white spots can occur as a result of this too. White spots on the backside of the mat are usually a result from having practiced on damp ground or grass.
If this occurs, don’t worry your mat can be cleaned with our Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore that is manufactured specifically to renew your mat to it’s natural state.
Picture of eKO Series mat before being washed with Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore:
Picture of eKO Series mat after being washed with Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore:
The rubber is wearing off where I place my hands/feet - is this normal?
With regular use, the mat will over time display patches where the rubber is wearing out. These patches can usually be found on the top and the bottom of the mat, where the hands and feet are placed over and over during a yoga session, slowly wearing down the material. Over time, this can also lead to pieces of rubber coming off in those places. This is not a manufacture defect but rather the natural progression of a mat well used.
MY EKO® MAT HAS SMALL PIECES OF RUBBER COMING OFF - IS THIS NORMAL?
When the mat is put into use, it will slowly start to show signs of usage. A normal experience of wear and tear is where the hands and feet are regularly placed which can look like small pieces of rubber falling out or a change of texture which makes the surface looks smoother compared to the rest of the mat. Small pieces of rubber can also fall off along the edges of the mat as a result of friction during storage and/or transportation.
MY EKO® MAT HAS BECOME STICKY - IS THIS NORMAL?
When the mat starts getting sticky it is usually due to warm environment or exposure to sun which affects the material so it starts to dissolve and therefore becomes sticky. The mat can also turn sticky if it has been cleaned with products not suitable for natural rubber or if the mat has been rolled together while moist/wet. Due to the bio-degradable nature of the material, the mat can also turn sticky by itself over time. When the mat turns sticky it can also lead to color transfer.
Unfortunately once the mat has become sticky it can not be brought back to its former condition.
I WASHED MY EKO SERIES MAT AND NOW IT IS DISCOLORED/ TURNED STICKY - WHAT NOW?
Natural rubber is a sensitive material. If the mat is washed with something not suitable for the material it can lead to discoloration and that the material start breaking down. If the mat is only slightly affected we can recommend the Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore to help give the mat grip back and remove discoloration. If the mat has been severely affected during the wash, chances are that the damages are too big.
If the mat has been rolled together while still slightly moist, it can turn sticky. Unfortunately this process cannot be reversed.
MY EKO SUPERLITE TRAVEL MAT HAS MARKS ON IT AFTER BEING STORED FOLDED - IS THIS NORMAL?
The eKO Superlite Travel Mat should only be folded for the purpose of traveling, to make it easier to fit the yoga mat in your luggage. As soon as you and your mat are no longer on the go, it should be stored rolled together, away from direct sunlight and heat and if possible with a cover.
If the mat is stored folded for a longer period of time, it can lead to permanent folding marks in the material and even that the rubber beomes brittle and cracks in the folds.
