Yoga mats can get very dirty from sweat, oil, and dirt. Especially if you have a sweaty mat, you’ll want to clean it. Here is how to clean a yoga mat at home.
How to clean yoga mat at home- 3 best cleaners inside
Jump to the 3 best yoga mat cleaners!
How to disinfect your mat
Get a spray sanitiser of lifebuoy or savlon and spray all over. This is the quickest way to disinfect the yoga mat. But once it’s dirty you better clean it first.
Using readily available sanitiser spray is the most effective way to disinfect your yoga mat.
Another way to disinfect your mat is by using a diluted mixture of water and bleach. Mix one part bleach with nine parts water in a spray bottle, shake well and spray the mat with the mixture. Let it sit for five minutes and then scrub the mat thoroughly using a sponge or cloth and rinse off all of the bleach solutions.
Also, you can rub white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to clean the germs as well.
And tea tree oil is a great choice to disinfect the mat. But it will be costly.
You can also clean with soap which will kill bacteria and germs.
How to clean yoga mat at home
Here are a few easy, non-complicated ways to clean your yoga mat at home!
Soap & Water
Make a solution with two cups of water for every four drops of dish soap. Be careful not to use too much soap! Using too much will leave a slippery residue on your mat, making it more difficult for you to practice safely.
In this case, you’d want to use about 6-8 drops of dish soap per cup of water. Then, just spray the mat with the solution and let it air dry. This method works well for everyday cleaning.
Dry It
My favourite way to dry a yoga mat is to hang it to dry. I find that this process works best for that are either damp or completely dry. If your mat is damp, you can speed up the drying time by rolling it up and placing it in the sun.
If your mat is completely dry, you can speed things up by wrapping it in a clean, dry towel and leaving it in a well-ventilated area.
Mat drying is easy! Just roll your mat up, squeeze out any extra water, and hang it up to air dry. Then unroll it and hang it up to dry. You can also put your mat in front of a fan.
Best yoga mat for Surya Namaskar
Keep It Clean
Depending on your practice routine, you should wash your mat every couple of months. Instead of rolling up your mat between lessons, hang it. Usage a professional mat-cleaning spray or your own solution to spray it down after each use. It only requires a small spray after each exercise; you don’t need to soak it every time you perform yoga.
How often should you clean your mat?
It is important to clean your mat after every use. In order for the mats not to get a bad smell, it’s best to wipe them down with a dry cloth or towel and spray them with a disinfectant spray.
Otherwise, the bacteria that build upon the mat can make you sick.
Yoga mats are easy to clean daily. Here is what you should do!
A few drops of dishwashing liquid/cloth washing soap and two cups of water can be used in a spray bottle to clean mats.
The mats should be sprayed on both sides. Rub the yoga mat with another cloth to rub the dirt off.
Let the mat dry and then roll it for storage in between uses. When you are ready to use it again, simply hang it out to air dry.
Or you can do the following –
Dip a cloth in clear water and wring well if the yoga mat is made out of cotton!
Then, spray the mat with a non-alcohol based cleaner. Wring out the cloth and repeat steps 1-3 until the mat is clean. Note: Always test a small area first. If you find that the cleaner stinks, you can use a different cleaner. Just be sure to rinse the mat thoroughly after each application.
How to clean a yoga mat naturally?
Mat stains can be hard to get out, so I recommend testing a cleaning solution on a hidden spot first. If it removes the stain, then you can use a stronger solution. If not, stick to a bar of mild dish soap. Or just use surf excel and some water. This will clean the yoga mat.
how to clean a yoga mat in washing machine
In order to clean a yoga mat in the washing machine, you should first check if it is eco-friendly. Eco-friendly mats will say that they are “washable” or “machine-washable” on the label. If it is not eco-friendly, then you can use a mixture of warm water and mild soap to clean your mat by hand. This will remove sweat, dirt, bacteria and other contaminants from the mat. Use a sponge or rag to scrub your mat down thoroughly. Rinse off all the soap and then hang it up to dry in an area.
Check with the manufacturer’s website before tossing your mat in the machine.
Some yoga mats are machine washable.
Some eco-friendly mats are meant to only be hand-washed.
Those that are not meant to be machine washable can get damaged or destroyed by the tumble cycle. Many eco-friendly mats are made of natural fibres that cannot be machine washed or dried
Top 3 best yoga mat cleaner in India
Surf Excel Easy Wash Detergent Powder
This is an all-in-one stain and odour remover. It removes odours caused by food and cigarettes and also fights stains like ketchup, chocolate, and curry.
The powder dissolves easily in hot water. Just add 2-3 scoops of the detergent to the wash. Machine wash is recommended for coloured garments.
Since this is an all-purpose stain remover, it will remove any dirt, stains from your yoga mat.
HealthKart Natural White Vinegar
HealthKart Natural White Vinegar is a natural white vinegar. It is 100% natural, made from 100% pure corn syrup.
White Vinegar is a stronger chemical that can kill germs and clean your yoga mat. You should mix water and vinegar in equal amounts to clean the yoga mat. Rub it on the yoga mat and it should work.
HealthVit Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It’s been used to treat digestive problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more.
And you can use this to clean and kill germs on your yoga mat.
Just mix 50:50 of ACV and water and rub it on both sides of the yoga mat with a clean cloth.
FAQ
How to clean your own yoga mat?
Here’s how to clean your yoga mat: First, dampen a cloth with water and wipe down your mat. Then, add a small amount of mild soap to the cloth and rub it in a circular motion. Rinse well and pat dry.
How to clean a yoga mat in a bathtub?
Fill your tub with warm water. Add a small amount of mild soap to the water. Mix well. Dip your mat into the mixture and allow it to soak for 10-15 minutes. Remove your mat from the water and allow it to drip-dry on a towel.
Cleaning tips for a yoga mat?
Wipe down your mat with a clean, damp cloth. Soak your mat in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water for 15-20 minutes. Mix 1 part baking soda with 2 parts water and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
How to Clean a yoga mat after each session?
Wash your mat in hot water with detergent (like Tide/Surf Excel). Hang it to dry in the sun. What to do with a “stinky” yoga mat? If you find that your mat has a strong, musty smell, you can wash it in hot water with laundry detergent. Hang it up to dry. It should be fine then.
Can we clean a yoga mat regularly?
Since there’s no “best” way to clean a yoga mat, it’s really up to you. Some people clean their mats every week. Others only clean it when it looks gross. There’s no “right” way.
However, I do recommend cleaning your mat at least once a month. That way, the dust and debris that accumulates over time will get removed.
How to roll up your yoga mat correctly?
Start at the edge of the mat and gently roll up your mat. Do not press hard otherwise foam mats tend to get wrinkles and tears pretty fast. For jute, fabric-based mats you can even fold them up instead of rolling up!
How to clean a yoga mat with apple cider vinegar?
Create a 50/50 mixture of water and apple cider vinegar to cleanse your yoga mat. Hang it out to dry in a well-ventilated area (or expose it to the fresh air). You might even use white vinegar too, vinegar is stronger than apple cider vinegar. But these are not strong cleaning agents. These might disinfect the yoga mat, but they will not remove strong stains.
Will using a yoga towel help you avoid the process of cleaning the yoga mat?
Positively! A yoga towel will absorb excess oil and sweat from your mat. This prevents the mat from getting oily and grimy. In fact, I personally use a towel every time I practice yoga. It also makes your mat look nice and new 🙂 But you do have to wash the towel twice a week, otherwise it will smell bad.
Conclusion
Yoga mats can last for years if properly taken care of. However, they require regular maintenance to avoid build-up of dirt and bacteria. Also, keep an eye out for dark patches on your mat, as these could be a sign of fungus infestation. This is how you can clean your yoga mat at home. I personally use a mixture of both, and it works well.
