Practicing yoga can help you gain flexibility, strength, and good posture, among other health benefits. However, are you in the habit of putting your yoga mats away without sanitizing them after practice?
Besides the visible grime from sweat, dirt, lotions, and body oils, you may be surprised to learn how much bacteria, allergens, yeast, and viruses are also lingering on a used yoga mat.
So, what’s the best way to keep your mat clean and odor-free? To help you get started, here’s a guide on cleaning a yoga mat.
Cleaning a Yoga Mat
Cleaning a yoga mat is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of supplies. You can simply use diluted dish soap made with a ratio of two cups of warm water to four drops of soap. After scrubbing the mat with a sponge or cloth, rinse it thoroughly with hot water and air dry it completely before rolling it up to put away.
If you need to disinfect a mat that perhaps others have used, you can create a simple yet effective sanitizing solution right at home. Natural products like witch hazel, baking soda, and tea tree or lemon essential oils can effectively keep your mat from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. They’re not only safer to use, but they have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Here are a few more yoga mat cleaning tips you should keep in mind when sanitizing your mat:
- Avoid using too much soap because it leaves a slippery residue
- Don’t use any coarse scrubbers like steel wool
- Don’t use the dryer or dry your mat in direct sunlight
- Use a yoga towel to protect the mat during practice
So whether you’re practicing at home or in a session at your yoga teacher training program, take time to clean your yoga mat.
FAQs on How to Clean a Yoga Mat
If you follow those cleaning tips, you can prevent unwanted germ invaders from taking over your mat and possibly getting you sick. For further guidance on how to clean a yoga mat, here are some frequently asked questions:
Can a Yoga Mat Be Cleaned in the Washing Machine?
It depends on the type of mat you have, as some are machine washable. Check the care instructions before throwing it in the machine; otherwise, you may end up with a misshapen, unusable mat.
If your mat is machine-safe, make sure not to use the spin cycle or any harsh detergents.
How Often Should a Yoga Mat Be Cleaned?
It would help to wipe down yoga mats with either a mild cleaning solution (store-bought or homemade) or microfiber cloth and warm water after every yoga session. A deeper cleaning should take place once a month.
Are Clorox Wipes Safe to Use?
The chemicals in Clorox wipes may be too harsh for your yoga mat. But if you prefer to use them, make sure to wait long enough for the disinfectant to kill the germs, and then rinse and wipe off your mat to remove the chemicals.
More Yoga Mat Cleaning Advice
Before sanitizing your mat, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Also, you may want to do a patch test first to ensure your cleaning solution doesn’t damage your yoga mat.
And finally, if your mat is starting to peel, it may be time to get a new one.
Now that you know more about how to clean a yoga mat make cleaning your mat a priority and set up a routine. Share this yoga mat cleaning guide with your friends, so they can also enjoy their yoga practice on a spotless, germ-free mat.