How To Clean Yoga Mat At Home

Dirt and even bacterial growth on yoga mats are almost inevitable when used regularly.

You're certain to sweat a lot while you practice, especially if you are practicing a more active pose like power Vinyasa or Bikram.

So, when perspiration spills on your yoga mat, and it is not clean afterwards, this can promote bacterial growth and unpleasant smell within your home.

For this reason, it's worthwhile to clean your yoga mat short after each session, as well as to deep clean it once a month or so.

Cleaning eliminates dirt and perspiration accumulation on your mat, which may keep it sticky and lengthen its life.

So, in this blog post, we'll teach you how to clean your yoga mat right in the comfort of your home.

Best Way To Clean and Disinfect A Yoga Mat At Home

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There are several cleaning methods that can be used to disinfect yoga mats such as using clean water, white vinegar, and a few drops of tea tree oil as a typical organic disinfectant

However, these tips mentioned below are very beneficial to those who would want to clean their own mats at home.

1. First, consult the manufacturer's instructions to see if your yoga mat will degrade when soaked in water.
2. Fill a bathtub halfway with water sufficient to cover the mat then add approximately a spoonful of dishwashing soap.
3. Allow the mat to soak in the soapy water for around five minutes. Then scrub the entire mat with a soft cloth, paying special attention to dirty spots.
4. Drain the bathtub. Rinse the mat thoroughly, then gently squeeze any excess water until the water is clear. This may need some muscular effort.
5. Afterward, shake the mat a bit. The mat should then be spread out to dry completely, on a strong shower curtain pole, hanging rack, or balcony railing most preferably out of the sun because of UV rays.

Depending on the circumstances, this might take up to a day.

How To Disinfect A Yoga Mat After Each Use

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Sprinkle the vinegar solution on either sides of your yoga mat and brush it away with a clean towel. This will kill germs that are present on either sides of your mat and refresh its odor.

Cleaning the mat's two sides is necessary because, when it is rolled up conventionally, bacteria can move from the area having much filth to the cleaner area.

Spraying the whole surface of your mat is necessary to prevent dirt and microorganisms from coming in contact with your body.

The disinfectant wipe is excellent for preventing diseases such as athlete's foot, warts, and bacterial infections.

For a disinfectant wipe to be effective, the liquid must contain alcohol or organic-based disinfectants like those found in a mild detergent.

However, the disinfecting wipes will not clean your mat completely.

When your mat's unpleasant odor and dirty appearance become a serious issue, nothing rivals thorough scrubbing using dish soap and warm water.

Because dishwashing soap contains ubiquitous chemicals like chlorine, which is very useful for cleaning every yoga mat.

However, always be careful to use a few drops of dish soap—using too much soap might leave your mat's surface slimy.

Scrubbing your yoga mat clean with a damp towel is the gentlest on its materials, although the waxy texture of a soft cloth is perfect.

The Best 3 Effective Disinfecting Solutions

1. Apple cider mat cleaner

Fill a spray bottle halfway with water and apple cider vinegar. Spritz liberally on your yoga mat. The vinegar will dissolve any oils on it and sanitize it.

With a moist towel, wipe away cleaner, then let the mat air dry.

2. Essential oil Cleaning solution

Eucalyptus and Melaleuca essential oils possess antifungal and  antibacterial properties; you may produce appealing scents by mixing 20 drops of these oils with clean water.

Wipe your yoga mat once a week with this spray.

3. Deodorizing yoga mat cleaner

This spray will make your yoga mat appear and smell brand new, no matter how perspiration-filled the session is.

To clean your mat, mix 15 drops of patchouli and peppermint oils in spray bottles half-filled with clean mater.

How To Deep Clean a Yoga Mat

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If you want to give your yoga mat a deep cleaning, here are some of the steps to achieve this at home.

1. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and a tablespoon of dishwashing soap.
2. Spritz the solution on your mat and brush it thoroughly with a damp washcloth. However, don't scrub too hard since you want to maintain your mat's naturally sticky condition. Ensure to spray and scrub both sides.
3. Finally, rinse your yoga mat with warm water and let it air dry.

At least once every month, wash your yoga mat with soapy water. However, you ought to do this quite often if you attend a few intense yoga sessions.

Even though the mat's odor is a helpful measure of how often it would need to be washed, by the time it begins to stink, it has been saturated with a significant portion of the sweat and dirt that your body picks up with each use.

By maintaining your mat and cleaning it monthly, you can prevent it from ever becoming too smelly.

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Frequently Asked Questions- How To Clean Yoga Mat At Home

Can you put a yoga mat in the washing machine?

Most yoga mat manufacturers advise their customers to hand-wash their mat and never put them in the dryer to avoid potential damage from the washing machine.

It's possible to deep clean certain mats in a washing machine. But it's best to avoid cleaning your mat with a washing machine unless it comes with explicit instructions to do so.

Can you use disinfecting wipes to clean yoga mat?

I highly advise against utilizing disinfectant wipes to clean a yoga mat due to the possibility of damage, to prevent coming into touch with harsh chemical reagents, or even due to the disagreeable chemical smell it may leave behind on your mat.

If you do choose to use a disinfectant wipe or chemical, ensure the mat has been thoroughly cleansed to eliminate any dirt.

Check the label for instructions on how long to leave the disinfectant on the surface of the mat for maximum effectiveness.

How often should a yoga mat be cleaned?

To keep your mat in excellent condition and to keep the environment clean, especially in public yoga studios, you should at least wipe clean your yoga mat every couple of usage.

If you have a record of skin diseases, such as plantar warts or athlete's foot, clean your mat well after each usage.

If you use your mat regularly and notice that it becomes dirty rapidly, think about doing a monthly spot-cleaning in combination with regular conventional wipe-downs.

What is the best way to dry and preserve your yoga mat?

Before storing it, be certain that your yoga mat is dry. the breeding ground for bacteria is a warm, wet environment. Your mat should be hung over a hanging rack or a balcony railing to air dry.

Yoga mats should never be dried in the dryer. When the mat is dry fully, roll it up firmly and keep it in a well-ventilated area.

Even when not in use, unroll the mat once every two weeks to enable air circulation. 

Summary – How To Clean Yoga Mat At Home

A dirty yoga mat indicates that it has been utilized, it implies you're placing your energy and soul into your yoga practice, thus sweat stains and dirt on your mat ought to be regarded as a source of pride.

After each yoga session, you can either use a clean towel and cleaning solution to softly scrub each side of your mat or place your mat in the bathtub and give it a good scrub and rinse.

The later can be done once every month. Then allow it to dry before rolling it up.

The importance of having a clean mat cannot be overemphasized. There is a higher chance of enjoying your yoga practice and staying healthy if you follow this cleaning process after usage.