Q: What can I do with my mat when it wears out?
A: Don’t throw it away! Here are some creative suggestions from other yogis on how to reuse your old yoga mat:
While taking my dog to the vet or groomer or just for a ride with the top down, I noticed her feet would scratch the leather going around curves. So I decided to take an old yoga mat and roll it out over the back seat of my car. Wha la! She is comfy and can do her own version of downward dog without scratching my seats!
L. S., Powell, OH
Drop off your old mat at an animal rescue group. Most of these places need soft, durable mats, rugs, towels, & blankets to line crates. The poor helpless and homeless animals need comfort too!
P. O., Highland Park, NJ
My children love play dough! This mat will be excellent for play dough and other messy projects because it will make cleaning up a lot easier.
F. F., Owings Mills, MD
My old yoga mat makes a great liner under my house plants. It protects my rug from water marks great. You can even cut it to fit each plant!
D. T., Battle Ground, WA
Use it to smother weeds in your garden. Just place the mat over a section of your garden and the mat and the sun’s heat will smother weeds and their seeds. Then when it is time to sew your seeds just remove the mat and move it to another spot in your garden.
J. M., Woodbury, CT
Cut the mat into squares and use them as “bases” while playing baseball with the kids. Easy to carry and easy to clean!
J. C., New York, NY
I made one of those garden knee pads to kneel on by cutting the mat into even sections and binding the ends with twine.
K. F., Manassas, VA
Shred and use for jungle gym at the end of the slide. Ooh, comfy landings!
R. N., Minneapolis, MN
Grip pads to open jars.
A. F., Grapevine, TX
Cut to size and use as foot pads for the bottom of furniture that is on a wood or ceramic floor. Glue on pieces with a non-toxic adhesive. One mat will go a long way!
E. W., Tampa, FL
I like to use my mat at soccer games or anywhere I need to sit. It keeps me from sitting in the wet grass, mud, or bird poop on a bench. I can just hose it off and let it dry.
C. G., Westminster, CA
Camping Mat. Just place it under your sleeping bag for extra padding when enjoying the outdoors. It reduces pack load for those who like to do yoga on camping trips.
S. F., Brooklyn, NY
When traveling with your infant it’s a great idea to take an old mat along for safe bath time. Simply place it on the bottom of the tub and you don’t have to worry about your little one slipping around!
K. S., Spearfish, SD
No more messy packing peanuts! Old yoga mats get a new life as a protector of valuables while moving or shipping. Perfect for glassware or anything else that you don’t want chipped, broken, or otherwise damaged. Simply cut into the appropriate sizes, wrap and voila!
J. F., Dexter, MI
My sweet dog is 13 years old now and cold wooden floors don’t do much for her joints. My old exercise mat makes an instant pad for her when we’re a floor away from her usual sleeping spot.
V. R., Irvington, NY
My pet carriers get sticky mats so my pets have good footing when being transported to the vet, especially my cats who can more easily slide around . The mat pieces give them great footing.
S. L., Indianapolis, IN
Make children’s toys: Cut circles out and make frisbees; cut holes and create masks, hats, costumes and props; cut into shapes and letters for tub and pool toys.
R. N., Minneapolis, MN
Work on your car to avoid high maintenance costs? My dad loves to use one to make the concrete just a little warmer and more bearable. Hose it off afterward to keep it clean.
C. R., Baltimore, MD
Cut to fit closet floors or place in foyers as a place for muddy shoes
J. F., Fort Myers, FL
For garage music studios – hang and tack against walls for a nice aesthetic effect while also providing sound-proofing. It can also be tacked to the back of an upright piano for the same purposes.
C. A., Long Beach, CA
Give to nursing homes for people to have next to their beds so they don’t slip while getting in and out of bed.
P. W., Kennedyville, MD
Keeping an old yoga mat in the car is great for those spur of the moment picnics, keeping groceries from sliding around in the trunk, a padded seat at a sports game or a myriad of other uses limited only to your imagination.
K. H., Lancaster, CA
Used with permission from Barefoot Yoga Co.
