When I opened the package, there was a very strong chemical smell to the mat. Think noxious fumes invading the entire level of my house. This was anything but faint. I loved the quality and pattern too much to return, so I looked on other reviews to find a solution. I'm new to yoga, so I don't have the fancy mat cleaners. I used Mrs. Meyer's Basil cleaner twice on both sides, but it still stunk up the room. I then moved it to the garage for a day and washed it down with Clorox wipes - better, but not something I'd want to be around, let alone put my face on. At this point I'm 2 days in and still haven't gotten rid of the smell, so I put it outside, hosed it down with water and let it dry outside all day over a chair. The smell was finally gone! I also purchased the Gaiam blocks and there's a reason they ship those wrapped in plastic... those reeked too! But this time I went straight outside, hosed them down and let them sit on my patio table for the day. By night, they were free of smell too. FINAL SUGGESTED REMEDY: Completely drench in water and let sit outside for the day.
I'm new to yoga, but have horrible joints and was apprehensive of a 6mm mat being thick enough. It's very comfortable! I can do gate pose on hardwood without knee pain and tree pose without feeling like there's too much give to balance on. It rolls up and out nice without curling of the corners. I'm only a week in, so I'm definitely not as graceful, or gentle, on the mat as I will be eventually. My mat doesn't seem to care and takes the beating with grace for me. It's a very sturdy and patient mat. The colors I chose are no longer available (Mandala Mantra), but I love the navy and red mandala pattern. When I get tired of it I can turn it over, but not any time soon. I love the versatility!
| Color | Be Free |
|---|---|
| Brand | Gaiam |
| Material | Polyvinyl Chloride |
| Product Care Instructions | Printed yoga mats release a very strong but harmless odor when first unwrapped. Please unroll and air out your mat for 2-3 days before use. Spot clean with our Yoga Mat Wash or damp cloth with cold water and mild detergent. Dry flat. The mat may fade and become brittle and unusable if exposed to the sun for extended periods of time. We recommend storing your mat in a mat bag when not in use. |
| Product Dimensions | 68"L x 24"W x 0.24"Th |
| Item Weight | 1.13 Kilograms |
| Manufacturer | Fit For Life |
| UPC | 018713620316 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00018713620316 |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 25.04 x 5.51 x 5.2 inches |
| Package Weight | 1.57 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 68 x 24 x 0.24 inches |
| Brand Name | Gaiam |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Part Number | 05-62031 |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| Size | 68"L x 24"W x 6mm Thick |
