Bare feet and sweat, what more do I need to say? Your yoga mat is going to need a clean.
The type of mat you have and how often you practice yoga will be crucial when deciding on the best method to clean your yoga mat. In particular, whether your mat is closed-cell or open-cell.
From spot clean to disinfection, we’ll explore different ways of cleaning yoga mats and will also give you a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
Let’s begin!
How to Spot Clean a Yoga Mat?
Depending on how often you practice yoga and which version of it, you’ll undoubtedly have to deep clean your yoga mat at some point (once every month, or every couple of months). So, what to do in the meantime? Do you just not clean it? Well no. You can spot-clean your yoga mat after each session. Here’s how you do that:
- Get a yoga mat cleaner or mix a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid with lukewarm water in a spray bottle.
- Spray both sides of the mat with either the yoga mat cleaner or your homemade “brew”.
- Wipe the surface of the mat with a clean cloth until you feel you’ve cleaned it.
- Get a damp cloth and rinse the mat with it. Remember to wring the damp cloth before you begin rinsing.
- Leave the mat to dry out.
- After it’s dry, roll the yoga mat back up and store it.
How to Disinfect a Yoga Mat?
Spot cleaning a yoga mat won’t always kill the bacteria on it; it may remove them, but only if cleaned thoroughly. If you want to add an extra step of precaution, between spot cleaning and deep cleaning your yoga mat, you should think about disinfecting your yoga mat.
Here’s how to disinfect your yoga mat at home:
- Mix equal parts distilled water and white vinegar. White vinegar is great for disinfecting as it has both antifungal and antibacterial properties.
- If you want, you could add a dash of tea tree oil.
- Spray both sides of the mat, and wipe them down with a clean cloth.
- Leave the yoga mat to dry.
- Roll it back up and store it.
Disinfecting your yoga mat is the best way to prevent conditions such as plantar warts, staph infection, ringworm, and athlete’s foot.
How to Thoroughly Clean a Yoga Mat?
If it’s been a month or a couple of them since you’ve started using your yoga mat, it’s probably time to deep clean your yoga mat.
Yogis that live in warmer climates, or practice yoga more often, should definitely consider deep cleaning their yoga mats every couple of weeks, as opposed to months or even every month.
The following cleaning method should only be used on open-cell mats, and never on closed-cell ones.
Closed-cell mats are thinner and could break down if put through a deep clean. If you have a closed-cell mat, you should stick with spot cleaning and disinfecting it.
If you don’t recall whether your mat is closed-cell or open-cell, an open-cell mat will be thicker, more absorbent, and stickier. In comparison, a closed-cell mat will likely be thinner, not absorbent, and more slippery.
Here’s how you deep clean an open-cell yoga mat:
- Fill a bath or a sink with water. Refrain from using hot water as it may damage your mat irreversibly.
- Add dish soap- the ratio should be one tablespoon for each gallon of water.
- Put your yoga mat into a bath or a sink filled with water and dish soap.
- Immerse the yoga mat in water and leave it to soak for 5-10 minutes.
- After 5-10 minutes have passed, start scrubbing your mat with a washcloth.
- Rinse the mat with warm water to remove the soap.
- Shake it and leave it out to dry.
FAQ
Can You Wash a Yoga Mat in the Washing Machine?
Some yoga mats can be washed in the washing machine, but only on a cold and gentle cycle.
Don’t put closed-cell yoga mats in your washing machine.
After the spin cycle, you should leave your yoga mat to dry out naturally. Don’t use a dryer, as it can damage your yoga mat and make it completely unusable.
How to Clean Yoga Mat Naturally?
There are numerous ways to clean your yoga mat naturally. But, before you begin, do a patch test to ensure you don’t accidentally damage your yoga mat.
Anyways, here are a couple of natural methods to clean your yoga mat:
- Use lemon juice- it has antimicrobial properties and a nice citrus smell. Squeeze the juice and use it to wipe down your yoga mat.
- Baking soda– it’s a natural disinfectant and a really good natural way of removing bad odors. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of water, mix it, and use the mixture to clean your yoga mat.
- White vinegar– Mix white vinegar with equal parts water and add that mixture into a spray bottle. Use the mixture to clean your yoga mat. If you are not a fan of the way vinegar smells, you can add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to improve the smell.
Can You Clean a Yoga Mat With Lysol Wipes?
You could clean closed-cell yoga mats without causing any damage to them. On the other hand, if you own an open-cell yoga mat, you should avoid cleaning it with Lysol wipes, as they may cause damage to the yoga mat.
How to Clean a Rubber Yoga Mat?
To clean a rubber yoga mat, use a mixture of natural soap and water. Wipe the mat down using a soft cloth and leave it out to dry naturally.
How to Clean a Peloton Yoga Mat?
Peloton yoga mats are made of rubber. They may also contain latex. You could clean them like you would any other yoga mat- use a mixture of natural soap and water, and wipe down your mat with a soft cloth.
How to Clean a Lululemon Yoga Mat?
Lululemon yoga mats are made of natural rubber. They are open-cell mats, and you should only use natural cleansers when cleaning them. You should also avoid putting them in direct sunlight.
The best way to clean a Lululemon yoga mat is with a solution of natural soap and water. Soak a soft cloth into the mixture, wring it and use it to wipe down your Lululemon yoga mat.
How to Clean a Manduka Yoga Mat?
Depending on the specific type of Manduka yoga mat you’re using, this is how you should clean it:
- Manduka mats from the PRO series are closed-cell yoga mats. To properly clean them, you should spray both sides of the mat with either a store-bought or homemade solution. Afterward, wipe the mat with a washcloth, and leave it out to dry before you roll it back up.
- GRP series is made from PU with a rubber construction. These yoga mats are made to absorb sweat, so they should be cleaned thoroughly. Check out the “How to Thoroughly Clean a Yoga Mat?” section above, for more information.
How to Clean a Jade Yoga Mat?
Because Jade yoga mats are open-celled, cleaning them with a mixture of natural soap and water is the way to go.
Avoid leaving your Jade yoga mat in direct sunlight, and don’t use chemical solutions when cleaning it, as they can damage your Jade yoga mat.
How to Clean an Alo Yoga Mat?
To clean an Alo yoga mat, you should use a mixture of natural soap and water in a 1:20 ratio. Gently wipe down your Alo yoga mat with a soft cloth and leave it to dry. Make sure the yoga mat is completely dry before you roll it back up.
How to Clean a Liforme Yoga Mat?
Liforme yoga mats are open-celled. To clean one, you should use a mixture of natural soap and water. Wipe your mat with a soft cloth and leave it out to air dry.
Remember not to leave it in direct sunlight. The heat from the Sun can damage your Liforme yoga mat.