How to Clean and Sanitize a Yoga Mat

In general, aim to clean your yoga mat at least once a month if you only practice a couple of times a week. However, if you practice yoga every day, aim to clean your mat more often, about once every couple of weeks.

If you are practicing hot yoga in a heated room, you'll need to clean and sanitize your mat more often and vigorously to wash away excess sweat and discourage the growth and spread of bacteria and fungi, which thrive in humid environments.

Spot cleaning your mat after every session is a best practice that can help prevent the accumulation of bacteria altogether.

There are some great and efficient ways that you can keep your mat clean regularly:

• DIY cleaner: Create a DIY cleaner with a spray bottle, equal parts witch hazel and warm water, and a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil. These oils are both antifungal and antibacterial but only use a few drops at a time—using too much can compromise the innate stickiness of your mat and cause you to slip.
• Yoga mat cleaner: If you want to invest in a commercial cleaner, online stores and specialty brick-and-mortar retailers sell cleaners specifically designed to disinfect yoga mats. These cleaners often feature eco-friendly ingredients and non-alcoholic essential oils that won’t damage your mat.
• White vinegar: White vinegar, which has antibacterial properties, is a popular natural cleaning solution that yogis use to disinfect their mats. Just mix equal parts white vinegar and water, spray it on both sides of the mat, and gently wipe it off. Some yoga studios will have a spray bottle handy for students to use at the end of class.

After each yoga session, spot clean your mat to stave off bacteria between deep cleans. Use a microfiber towel (or any clean towel) to wipe off each side gently. Ensure that you clean both sides, as the bacteria from the floor on the backside of the mat can get on the front when you roll it up. When you’re finished cleaning the mat, ​set it aside, and allow it to dry fully.

Aim to deep clean your yoga mat once a month or once every few months, depending on how often you practice. Avoid placing your yoga mat in the washing machine unless the packaging states that it's machine-washable. Also, avoid drying the mat in the dryer; placing the bulky rubber in a hot dryer can be a fire hazard.

• Pick a location. Clean the mat in a place where you can easily rinse it off, like in the backyard or inside your bathtub or shower.
• Select your cleaning solution. There are many different solutions that you can use to clean your mat, including dish soap, a mild detergent mixed with water, yoga mat cleaner, or white vinegar. Select the solution of your preference.
• Apply it to a soft cloth. Next, apply a few drops of cleaner to a soft cloth and scrub the mat from top to bottom in a back-and-forth or circular motion. Make sure that you give each side a thorough clean.
  
• Rinse off the solution. Rinse the clean mat with water. Use a dry towel to remove any excess water. You can also ring the mat out by squeezing and twisting each side, depending on the type of mat.
• Hang dry. Allow the mat to air dry in the sun, whether it’s over a railing, a clean fence, or a wall. Sunlight is naturally antibacterial, so it will also help kill any leftover bacteria you may have missed during the cleaning process.

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