How to Clean Your Yoga Mat The Right Way
Your yoga mat sees a lot of action — hot vinyasa practice, end-of-day sweat, dirty hands and feet, and settling dust, just to name a few. If you’re not keeping up with a regular yoga mat cleaning routine, it’s likely that harmful bacteria and germs will grow and cause less-than-pleasant odors. And with yoga involving a lot of deep breathing ... it’s definitely not ideal.
The good news: establishing a yoga mat cleaning routine is easy, and you can even DIY your own yoga mat spray with materials you probably have at home. We put together this easy guide to cleaning your yoga mat so it can support your practice (and health) for years to come.
Why should you clean your yoga mat?
Where there’s a surface, there’s potential for germs and infection-causing bacteria to fester — especially in areas like yoga studios with high foot traffic, lots of sweat, and warm, humid air. Think about all the surfaces that you touch with your hands and feet during the day. Now think about those germs transferring to your yoga mat. Cleaning your yoga mat can reduce the chance of spreading harmful germs and illness.
Here’s the dirty picture:
A 2014 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health studied the bacterial ecology in a group of fitness centers in a metropolitan area. After analyzing the surfaces (handrails, floor mats, equipment, etc.), they found an abundance of bacterial families and pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, and Micrococcus. Staphylococcus was the most prevalent — aka the bacteria that causes staph infections, which are contagious and can require antibiotics.
A 2020 review of 56 studies was published in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease and found the presence of bacteria and fungi on mobile phones. Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci, and E. coli were present in over a third of studies both in healthcare and community settings. Bringing your hands from your phone to your mat without washing your hands first could potentially transfer some of those harmful bacteria.
While there hasn’t been a specifically established link between yoga mats and fungal infections, fungus tends to thrive in warm, moist environments and spread with direct skin contact. With so much of your skin exposed to your mat during regular practice, it’s definitely worth taking precautions for a cleaner practice.
How Often to Clean Your Yoga Mat
Just like other surfaces in your home, yoga mats benefit from regular light cleaning and occasional deep cleaning. We recommend spot cleaning your mat after every practice, then giving it a deep clean once a month after regular use.
DIY Yoga Mat Cleaning Spray
For daily cleaning after practice, try a natural solution of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can even add your favorite essential oils to lessen the vinegar smell. We love the Alo Sleep + Downshift essential oil blend for chill practice, and Energize & Refresh essential oil blend for active practice. You can also add tea tree oil to give it extra antibacterial power. Always make sure you refer to your yoga mat’s care instructions to make sure the ingredients are safe to use with your mat.
For a ready-to-go yoga mat cleaning spray, we recommend the Alo Total Refresh Mat Spray, which is vegan, cruelty-free, and Leaping Bunny certified.
How to Clean a Yoga Mat
Unroll your yoga mat.
Spray a soft cloth (preferably microfiber) with your cleaning spray and wipe the mat from top to bottom using circular motions. Continue wiping until all visible marks or stains are gone.
Hang your yoga mat to dry over a drying rack, railing, chairs, or strong shower curtain for appropriate ventilation. Roll it back up and store it only when the mat is completely dry to prevent mold or bacteria from building up.
How to Deep Clean a Yoga Mat
If your mat is especially dirty after practice, let your solution sit after spraying for about 10 minutes before wiping it down.
Please note that many yoga mats — such as the Alo Yoga mat — should not be submerged in water. Please refer to your mat’s care instructions for deep cleaning. However, if your mat is safe to submerge, we recommend letting your mat soak in a tub of warm water and a teaspoon of dish soap for about five minutes. Then, wipe it down, carefully squeeze out the water, and allow it to air dry completely.
When to Replace Your Yoga Mat
Sometimes a mat may be beyond the point of return and cleaning won’t do much. If there is deep staining, persistent odor, continual mold growth, loss of grip, or your mat starts falling apart, it’s probably time to replace your yoga mat. Cleaning your mat regularly after every use and making sure it properly air dries can extend the life of your mat and prevent those issues in the first place.
How to Get Rid of New Yoga Mat Smell
Sometimes natural rubber or other materials can release a strong odor when you unroll the mat for the first time. Try giving the mat a regular or deep clean with your preferred essential oil spray or good-smelling mat spray, then air dry it outside in the shade to let the smell dissipate. Avoid leaving the mat in the sun, which can break down certain mat materials or fade colors. It might take some time for the new mat smell to disappear, but it should eventually go away in time.
Can You Wash a Yoga Mat in the Washing Machine?
Most yoga mats are not machine washable because the agitation from the machine can degrade the materials. However, there are many different mat styles now designed to be machine washable. Research your mat’s care instructions to determine if your mat can be machine-washed.
How to make your yoga mat last longer
Clean your yoga mat regularly and allow it to air dry between use.
Practice barefoot on the mat with clean hands and feet.
Rotate your mat and practice evenly on both sides to avoid uneven fading on the mat surface, or practice with a washable yoga towel on the surface.
Avoid leaving your mat in direct sunlight.
Store your mat in a cool, dry place where it can retain its shape.