Once upon a time, yoga helped you find purpose, but now you’d like to repurpose your old yoga mat. Whether your mat has seen better days or you simply have your eye on a shiny new one, you’re moving on and you don’t want it to namast’ay in a cluttered closet or—even worse—a crowded landfill.
Don’t just kick your old yoga mat to the curb! After all, the two of you have shared many hours of sweat and sun salutations. Instead, try one (or a few) of these creative ideas for breathing new life into your no-longer-needed yoga mat:
1. Shelf liner
Grab a tape measure, a pair of scissors and a pen or pencil. Measure your shelves and mark and trim the yoga mat to match their specifications. Position and voilà—instant shelf liner!
2. Anti-skid pads
Use your old yoga mat to protect your furniture and flooring! Simply cut the mat into small circles or squares and position them beneath the legs of chairs, tables and even sofas to prevent your furniture from scuffing or scratching the floor.
3. Holiday ornaments
For this transformation, you’ll need a pen or pencil, scissors and string. Cookie cutters, glitter, other embellishments and glue are optional. Use your imagination to turn your mat into fun and festive holiday ornaments!
4. Jar opener
Have a tough time loosening stubborn jar lids? Your old yoga mat can help with that! Use a round object that is a bit larger than a standard circular lid, such as a mixing bowl, to trace a circle onto the mat. Then cut it out and test it out on a particularly stubborn lid!
5. Bulletin board
A previously loved yoga mat also makes a great bulletin board! Trim the mat to your desired size and hot glue decorative ribbon along its edges. Mount it on the wall, add some pretty push pins and use it to display photos and important info.
6. Napkin rings
Dress up your next meal with your former yoga mat! Cut the mat into thin strips and hot glue the edges together to form a circle, using a cloth napkin as a guide. To add visual interest, adorn your new napkin rings with beads and/or rhinestones!
7. Hair ties
Have some thin strips of yoga mat left over from that time you made napkin rings? Use them to secure your pony tail or bun. These recycled hair ties will be a hit at your next yoga class!
8. Sports bases
Is your child a sports fan? If you answered in the affirmative, cut your yoga mat into bases for an impromptu game of softball or baseball. Don’t forget to include home plate!
If these ideas for going green simply aren’t speaking to you, not to worry! We have some additional suggestions for those who have purchased a new yoga mat or moved beyond their days of downward dog:
9. Trim your old mat and transform it into mouse pads
10. Fashion it into a cushion for bleachers
11. Use it as a floor mat in the kitchen or—if it’s a little worse for wear—the garage
12. Place it beneath your pet’s food bowls
13. Use it to cushion your sleeping bag while camping (a.k.a. sleeping pad)
14. Place it underneath your cat’s litter box
15. Use it as a trunk liner for your car
16. Put it under your dish drying rack to absorb excess water
17. Use it as insulated sleeves for beverages (a.k.a. drink cozies)
18. Kneel on it to protect your knees while gardening
19. Sit on it at your child’s sporting events
20. Place it under your child’s car seat to protect upholstery
21. Use it in lieu of a picnic blanket
22. Trim it into fun shapes and hide around the house—instant scavenger hunt!
23. Position it beneath your plant’s drip tray
24. Place it inside your car’s windshield to block heat from the sun
25. Use it as a drop cloth for painting
