How to Clean Your Yoga Mat: Easy Tips for a Fresh Practice

December 11, 2024

Keeping yoga mats clean is an important but often forgotten task for most yoga practitioners. Your mat comes into close contact with you every time you practice, so it must be hygienic and disease-free. Choosing the right type of solution is also tricky.

Using harsh chemicals might eliminate bacteria, but it could damage your mat and leave harmful residues to your health.

This post’ll show you how to clean your yoga mat properly. From the right cleaning solution, frequency, and methods for different mat types to deep cleaning them. Keep your mats clean and your body healthy with these tips!

Key Takeaways

Cleaning your yoga mat regularly can help you stay healthy and make your yoga mat last longer.
Several natural ingredients, such as vinegar, witch hazel, baking soda, and salt solutions, can act as yoga mat disinfectants.
There are two different stages of cleaning: weekly routine cleaning and monthly deep cleaning.
Your materials will determine your cleaning solution and methods.
Open-cell mats can be soaked during deep cleaning, closed-cell mats shouldn’t.
Dry your mats properly indoors with lots of air movement and avoid direct sunlight.
Store your mat properly by rolling it tightly and keeping it in a cool, dry place.
Sensu's extra-large yoga mats feature a non-absorbent surface, making them easy to clean—simply wipe with a cloth to keep them fresh and hygienic.

How to Clean Yoga Mat: Why It’s Important

You're not alone if you ever find your mat smelling a little off. Yoga mats can be the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria. We use them almost every session, letting dirt and sweat get into them.

All these buildups can make our mat give off unpleasant odors and less grippy or harder to use. Not to mention, the contaminants can harm our health, leading to skin irritation or infections.

That’s why regularly cleaning them is important, especially for those practicing outside a public studio. Communal settings make it easier for cross-contamination to happen, increasing the need to disinfect our mats. Luckily, cleaning your yoga mats is not as complicated as it sounds.

Read on and learn how to properly do it for a healthier yoga session and longer-lasting mats.

Natural and DIY Alternative Solutions to Clean a Yoga Mat

First, let’s start with cleaning solutions that can help you get rid of foul odor and bacteria. Most yoga mat cleaning products use natural-based ingredients, and for good reason. Your mats will be in close contact with you, and dousing them with chemicals is not a good idea.

Aside from natural cleaning products, you can also make a DIY cleaner at home. It’s a great alternative because you can avoid harmful ingredients and adjust the contents as necessary. Here are some DIY cleaner recipes that you can try yourself:

1 part vinegar + 4 parts water. The vinegar will act as a disinfectant, while water will keep the vinegar from being too strong. Increase the vinegar concentration if you want a more potent solution.
1 part vinegar + 4 parts water + few drops of essential oils. If you want an aromatic element and eliminate odor, try incorporating essential oils. You can also increase its potency by using antibacterial essential oils like tea tree oil.
1 part witch hazel + 4 parts water + a few drops of essential oils. Witch hazel is another alternative if you don’t like the smell of vinegar. It can break down grease and oil and has mild antibacterial properties.
4 spoons of salt + 500 ml of water. The salt solution can remove bacteria and fungi, as well as dampness, from your mat.
1 teaspoon baking soda + a squeeze of lemon juice + 1 cup water. Baking soda is a great solution for odor. This mixture is also anti-bacterial and has a pleasant smell.

Sometimes, you might need to use store-bought or stronger cleaners. For example, to get rid of tough stains and strong odors or to deep clean. You can use diluted mild dish soap and scrub the mat with a rag or a soft brush.

Different Types of Yoga Mats and How to Clean Them

Different types of yoga mats may require different kinds of cleaning solutions. Here’s an explanation of common yoga mat materials and which solution is suitable for them:

PVC Mats are the easiest mats to clean. You can use the mild soap, vinegar, salt, or baking soda solutions we mentioned earlier to clean them regularly. Avoid machine washing the mat, as it can destroy the structure.
TPE Mats: The best solution for TPE is the vinegar, water, and essential oil mixture. Avoid machine washing, soaking, and direct sunlight, because it can deform the mat.
Rubber Mats: Rubber mats are more delicate than the previous two. The best solution for rubber mats is a saltwater mixture or, occasionally, baking soda mixture. Don’t dry them under direct sunlight; soak them or machine wash them. Also, avoid using too many essential oils, as they may make the mat too slippery or break down the rubber.
Cork Yoga Mats: The best solution for cleaning a cork yoga mat is the vinegar or witch hazel mixture we mentioned. Don’t dry it under direct sunlight; soak it or machine wash it.

Here’s a recap of each material and how to clean:

Materials	Best Cleaning Solution
PVC	Soap, vinegar, salt, or baking soda solutions
TOP	Vinegar and essential oil solution
Rubber	Salt water solution
Cork	Vinegar or witch hazel solutions

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Clean Your Yoga Mat

Mats for Communal Sessions May Need More Frequent Cleaning

Now that you know the right solution for your yoga mat, it’s time to clean it. There are two different ways to clean yoga mats: basic cleaning during regular use and deep cleaning every month.

Basic Cleaning Routine for Regular Use

You can use This cleaning routine regularly or right after your sessions. The frequency of cleaning will depend on your habits and situation. If you practice daily or several days a week at home, then clean your mat weekly. You can also clean it after a particularly heavy session, such as hot yoga.

On the other hand, if you’re practicing outside, you need to clean it after every session. Another case is if you’re using a borrowed mat at a studio, you must wipe it down with a cloth or use a yoga towel.

Here’s a simple guide for a basic cleaning routine:

Prepare your cleaning solution (choose from one of our natural mixtures) and place it inside a spray bottle.
Other tools you’ll need are microfiber cloth or other non-abrasive wipes.
Spray your mat entirely with the solution on both sides, then wipe it down with your microfiber cloth.
Hang it to dry indoors to avoid direct sunlight.
After it’s dry, you can store the mat inside your closet or roll it into your bag.

Deep Cleaning Your Yoga Mat

Another cleaning method you should use is deep cleaning. You should do this at least every month to get rid of the dirt that’s been accumulating over time. You need to be aware of your yoga mat type for deep cleaning. There are open-cell mats with porous surfaces and closed-cell mats that are less absorbent with smaller surface pores.

Here’s how you can clean open-cell yoga mats:

Soak your yoga mat for 5 minutes in a gallon of warm water and one tablespoon of mild dish soap.
Take out your mat and scrub with a soft brush.
Rinse with clean water until there’s no more soap residue.
Shake it and air dry it indoors.

Here’s how you can clean closed-cell yoga mats:

Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap.
Dip your microfiber cloth into the solution and start rubbing the mat thoroughly.
Grab another damp cloth after all surfaces are cleaned and rinse the mat.
Wipe the mat clean with a towel.
Shake it and dry it indoors.

Tips for Maintaining Your Yoga Mat’s Longevity

Besides cleaning it properly, there are additional steps to taking care of your mats to ensure longevity. Here are some tips you can follow:

Ensure your hands, feet, and clothing are clean when you use them. You don’t want germs or stains to get into your mat.
Dry properly. Always ensure your mat is completely dry before storing it to avoid mildew or bacteria growth. Dry it indoors, where there’s lots of air movement. Avoid direct sunlight as it can compromise the materials.
Store properly. When your mat is dry, roll it tight to avoid creases and wrinkles that can result in premature cracking. Then, store it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, preferably inside a yoga mat bag, to keep it in prime condition.
Use a yoga towel for particularly intense sessions, such as hot yoga. It will act as a barrier between the mat and debris or sweat and improve your grip.

Yoga Mat Recommendation for Easy Maintenance

Sensu Large Yoga Mat

Do you need an easy-to-maintain yoga mat? Then you should try Sensu’s versatile large yoga mat, made with a non-slip, antimicrobial, and odor-free material. The surface is also non-absorbent, so you can easily wipe it with a cloth.

This mat comes with a practical waterproof carry bag, which makes storing it much easier.

Here’s a quick info on the Sensu Large Yoga Mat specifications:

Size	6’ x 4’ or 7’ x 5’
Material	16P-ECO Material with Anti-Tear Mesh Layer
Thickness	9mm
Price	US$99.99

FAQs

How Often Should You Clean Your Yoga Mat?

The frequency will depend on your usage and habits. If you practice at home, once a week is good. But for those who practice outside, clean them after every session. Use disinfectant spray method for light cleaning, then deep clean them every month.

Can I Use Household Cleaners to Clean My Yoga Mat?

No, using household cleaners to clean your yoga mat is not recommended. They may contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach, which could easily destroy the integrity of your mat and make it wear out faster. They could also leave chemical residues that could be harmful for your body.

How Do I Clean Odor from My Yoga Mat?

You can use the vinegar or baking soda cleaning solution to remove the odor from your yoga mat. Wipe it clean and rinse with a damp cloth, then hang dry.

How Do You Clean a Rubber Yoga Mat?

To clean a rubber yoga mat, use salt water or baking soda solutions for routine cleaning. For deep cleaning, gently rub the mat with water and mild dish soap mixture, rinse it, and hang it dry.

Can You Machine Wash a Yoga Mat?

Although some yoga mats can be cleaned using a washing machine, we don’t recommend it as it can destroy the structural integrity of most. Check the tag or instructions of your mat to see if it’s machine washable.

Final Take

There are two different stages of cleaning: weekly routine cleaning or after-use cleaning and deep cleaning every month. Remember to check our guide to see which solution and method fits your yoga mat requirements.

Lastly, properly dry, store, and protect your mat to maintain its quality. Try to establish a consistent cleaning routine based on your habits and type of mat so you can stay healthy and make your mat last longer.