Because you’ll be working so close to the floor, think of you and the mat as one. You certainly wouldn’t wear clothing full of dirt and sweat when practicing, so of course, you should ensure your mat isn’t full of old sweat and bacteria either.
Why Is It Important to Have a Clean Yoga Mat?
Because you’ll be working so close to the floor, think of you and the mat as one. You certainly wouldn’t wear clothing full of dirt and sweat when practicing yoga, so of course, you should ensure your mat isn’t full of old sweat and bacteria either.
A build-up of dirt (and sweat!) can not only cause nasty odors, but it can also make way for a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus, and germs. There’s even a chance that a dirty mat can become hazardously slippery over time.
How Do I Clean My Mat Properly?
Fortunately, there's no need to purchase an expensive yoga mat cleaner. Instead, you can make your own with simple household ingredients!
We’ll go over our easy DIY yoga mat cleaner recipe below. Once you have it made, here’s how to wash a yoga mat:
- Spray 3-5 spritzes over your mat after every session.
- Wipe clean with a towel.
- Let dry for a few minutes before rolling ‘er up for storage!
DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner
To create your DIY yoga mat cleaner, mix together the following in a 16 oz. spray bottle:
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- 5 – 10 drops tea tree oil (or another essential oil)
Tools to Use When Cleaning Your Yoga Mat
All you need is your yoga mat spray, a yoga towel (or clean cloth), and your yoga 
mat! For reference, here’s a quick shopping list for the yoga mat cleaner DIY recipe:
- 16 oz. Spray bottle
- Distilled white vinegar
- Essential oils — choose from:
- Tea tree
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Peppermint
How to clean a yoga mat?
Dirty, sweaty yoga mat? Clean your yoga mat with an easy DIY cleaner. Mix 1 ½ cups of water with ½ cup of distilled white vinegar, then add approximately 5 to 10 drops of an essential oil like tea tree oil. Lavender, lemon, or peppermint oils also work well for yoga mat cleaner. When you're ready to clean your mat, simply spritz a few sprays onto the mat surface and wipe off the liquid with a clean towel. Let the mat air dry for a few minutes before storing.
How to clean a Lululemon yoga mat?
Most Lululemon yoga mats can be cleaned like any other Amazon yoga mats or those purchased from your local studio. The Lululemon website says to wipe their mats with a damp cloth and let air dry. You can use a cloth that is damp only with water, or you can create your own DIY yoga mat cleaner. Simply mix together ½ cup of distilled white vinegar with 1 ½ cups of water and 5 to 10 drops of an essential oil like lemon, peppermint, lavender, or tea tree oil.
How to clean a cork yoga mat?
When cleaning yoga mat material like cork, you’ll use the same cleaner you would with most any other yoga mat. Simply mix ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 1 ½ cups of water, and 5 to 10 drops of tea tree essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake and spritz onto your mat, then wipe dry with a clean towel.
How often should I clean a yoga mat?
With your natural yoga mat cleaner, give your mat a quick wipe down after every session. Wash the yoga mat material more intensely once every few weeks. If you’re using a shared mat at a studio, be sure to bring along your own homemade yoga mat cleaner, and give it a few swipes with the cleaner before each use.
Can I use wipes on my yoga mat?
Yes, some pre-moistened yoga mat wipes can make cleaning your mat quicker and more convenient. Just make sure they don’t contain harsh chemicals. Not only can some disinfecting cleaning wipes harm your mat’s surface, but they can also be abrasive and harmful to your skin.
Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.
― Yogi Bhajan
Love What You Read? Download Our FREE How To Clean a Yoga Mat Guide!
