How to Clean Your Yoga Mat

by: Jennifer Carter Avgerinos

If you find yourself in child’s pose and smell something funky, it might be your yoga mat. Yes, it’s true. Regular use combined with sweat, dust, dirt, body oil, and other debris can really pile up, leaving an odor on your mat that you would probably like to avoid. After all, you are standing on it with your bare feet.

Never fear. There are solutions available for the most busy or lazy among us. Depending on what style of yoga you practice, you may not need to clean your mat after every session, but you should try to clean it once a week. Regular cleaning will keep odors at bay and prolong the life of your mat.

The Natural Approach

You can easily make a DIY solution of 50/50 water and vinegar. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for added effect and easy breathing. I prefer lemon and lavender.

Cleaning Solution:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 2 to 3 drops each of essential oils like eucalyptus, lemon, lavender, mint, or tea tree

Directions:
Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle. Spray your yoga mat cleaner liberally over the surface of your mat. If your mat seems especially dirty, let the cleanser sit and soak in a bit before rubbing it off.

Wipe the yoga mat with a microfiber or cotton cloth. Now repeat on the other side.

Allow your mat to air dry, which should take only about 5 to 10 minutes. If it takes longer, try rubbing your mat down one more time with a dry microfiber or cotton cloth to remove the excess water and speed up the drying time.

Quick Cleaning

If making your own solution isn’t appealing, try ready-made sprays or wipes. Many mat manufacturers, retailers, and consumer brands now offer several options.

• Manduka Mat Renew - $8.99 
• Gaiam Mat Wash - $9.99
• Jo-Sha Yoga Mat Wipes- $12.95

Keep in mind that baby wipes may be too soapy to be effective and may dry out your mat over time.

Really pressed for time? Just throw your mat in the washing machine by itself without soap once a month and then toss it into the dryer on medium or let it air dry—not in the sun. It will hold up.

Word to the wise: Clean your yoga mat on a regular basis and your next child’s pose or down dog will be a pleasant one.