A Clever Way To Repurpose Old Yoga Mats In The Kitchen

Yoga mats are essential if you're a fan of home workouts or if you enjoy taking pilates or yoga classes. And if you've been devoted to your fitness journey for a while, it's likely that you have quite a few old or worn-in mats hiding in a closet somewhere. After about a year of use, yoga mats tend to lose their comfortable thickness and grip, and when it's time for a swap, you might be tempted to trash your old go-to mat to avoid accumulating clutter.

Surprisingly, however, yoga mats have plenty of secondary uses around the home and can easily be repurposed as drawer liners. It might seem a bit strange at first, but after a good clean, your old yoga mat can have a second life keeping your kitchen shelves clean and mess-free. By repurposing something you already have on hand, you'll be able to reduce your environmental impact and update your kitchen, all without spending any extra money.

Creating your own shelf liners out of yoga mats is super simple. First, of course, give your mat a solid deep clean. It's always best to check manufacturers' instructions to ensure you don't accidentally damage your mat by using the incorrect products, but most can benefit from a soak in some soapy water. Fill a tub with warm water and a bit of dish soap, then soak your mat to clear out any trapped dirt and sweat. Wring it out, allow it to dry, and you should be good to go.

After cleaning your yoga mat, all you need to do is trim it to the size of your drawers. Take some measurements, then mark where you need to trim. Cut it down with a pair of sturdy scissors or shears, and simply place it in your drawer. The grip and texture of the mat should prevent it from sliding around, so there's no adhesive necessary.

There are plenty of options for yoga mat materials — recycled rubber, PVC, natural rubber — but they all have similar characteristics that are designed to make yoga easier and more comfortable. They have texture to give you traction, a bit of stickiness to ensure you don't slip around the studio, and a layer of cushion so you're not placing your knees or hands on a hardwood floor. All of these features are intended for use in a yoga studio, but they coincidentally have quite a bit in common with what makes non-slip drawer liners so effective.

Shelf liners are typically made of similar materials, are helpful for keeping all of your silverware or serving utensils in place, and need to be able to stick to the bottom of the drawer to avoid slipping when you open it with force. Additionally, the fact that yoga mats are designed to withstand sweat and dirt means they're easy to clean and water-resistant, which can be especially helpful in the kitchen.