No matter how often you use your yoga mat, it will get dirty and worn with use. Skin and product oils, sweat, and dirt can penetrate the surface of the mat and can expedite deterioration of it. These elements can also make it difficult to practice yoga on your mat because they may make you slide. By washing your mat regularly and keeping up with daily maintenance, you can extend the life of your yoga mat and continue to enjoy a clean and slip-free practice.
Steps
Washing Your Yoga Mat
- Be aware of when to wash your mat. You should wash your yoga mat completely every couple of months, and more often if you don’t practice regular maintenance or you perform yoga every day. This can not only extend the life of your mat, but will also keep it from smelling and transferring bacteria to you.[1]
- If you practice yoga every day, you may want to wash your mat once a month, especially during the summer.
- The more soil you see on your mat, the more likely it needs to be thoroughly washed.
- If your yoga mat is peeling or pieces of it are adhering to your clothes, consider purchasing a new mat.
- Soak your yoga mat. Using a solution of warm water and a mild detergent such as dish soap, submerge your yoga mat in a bathtub and allow it to soak for a few minutes. This will help dislodge dirt, oils and any odors.[2]
- Dish soap or hypoallergenic laundry detergent are two of the best options for mild cleaners for your yoga mat.[3]
- Don’t use too much detergent in the warm water. You don’t want a bubble bath, but just enough soap to clean off your mat. Using too much detergent can make your mat slippery and difficult to practice asanas on.[4]
- Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of laundry detergent or dish soap for every 1 gallon (3.7 l) of lukewarm tap water.
- Some sources suggest using vinegar to wash your mat. Be aware that this can leave a lasting and unpleasant scent on the surface of your mat, which could make practicing yoga less enjoyable. Depending on the material of your yoga mat, vinegar may also degrade the quality of the mat.
- Hand wash the mat with a soft cloth. Once your mat has soaked for a few minutes, use a soft cloth to wash both sides of the mat. Thoroughly wipe each side, concentrating on the areas that your hands and feet touch most often.[5]
- You can tell the areas you use the most because they will likely have a slightly different color to the rest of your mat.
- Make sure you wipe each side gently so that you don’t degrade the mat or pull off any chunks of it.
- If you don’t see bubbles from the detergent, don’t worry. Remember that you only want enough detergent—and bubbles—to clean the mat and not make it slippery.
- Never put your yoga mat in a washing machine. It can significantly degrade the quality of your mat and make it impossible to practice on the mat because it is too slippery.
- Rinse your mat in clean water. Drain the tub in which you have your mat and rinse the washed mat with clean water. This will help remove any residue from the soap and minimize the risk of having a slippery mat.[6]
- Rinse off the mat until you notice that the water is clear.[7]
- If the water isn’t clear quickly, consider washing it off again with the soft cloth.
- Remove excess water from your mat. Shake off your mat to remove water on the surface of your mat. Lay the mat flat on a dry towel and roll the two together to squeeze out remaining moisture.[8]
- Do not wring out your mat! It may cause tearing or warping.
- You can step on the rolled up mat and towel, which is more effective at getting out excess water.[9]
- Hang your mat to dry. When you are done with squeezing out excess water, unroll your yoga mat from the towel. Hang it up until it is thoroughly dry.[10]
- You can use pant hangers to hang up your mat, but understand these may leave marks.
- If you have a laundry drying rack, drape your yoga mat over this, which can effectively dry both sides of your mat.
- Never put a yoga mat in a clothes dryer. Not only can doing this ruin your mat, but may cause a fire.
- Only use your mat again once it is completely dry. Squeezing bits of the mat between your fingers can help you feel remaining moisture.
Maintaining Your Yoga Mat Regularly
- Understand the importance of regular cleaning and maintenance. Dirt, oils, and sweat can quickly degrade the quality of your mat and make it more difficult to practice. Performing simple maintenance tasks on your yoga mat after each use can help extend its life and decrease how often you need to thoroughly wash the mat.
- No matter how often you practice, consider helping to maintain your mat by wiping it off and keeping your feet and hands clean.
- If you practice yoga daily or multiple times per week, it’s important to clean off and store your mat properly after each use.
- Clean your feet and hands. Your hands and feet will constantly touch your mat. Since these two parts of the body are often dirtier than others, wash your hands and feet before you begin any yoga practice. This can help extend the life of your mat and help bacteria from spreading between your skin and mat surface.[11]
- Wipe off your mat. Each time you practice yoga on your mat, wipe it off with either baby wipe, yoga –mat specific wipe, or a cloth with some mild soap. This can help to keep your mat clean and free of sweat, dirt, and oils, but may also extend its life.[14]
- Simple wipe the entire mat with any type of wipe you choose and then let it dry before rolling it up.[15]
- Wipes that are specifically formulated for yoga mats are available at sports stores or online at specialty yoga retailers.[16]
- If you decide to use baby wipes to clean off your mat, buy a gentle version that doesn’t have many detergents or soap on it to keep your mat from being slippery.[17]
- If you decide to use a cloth with some soap, make sure to not douse your mat with soap or water. Ensure that you wipe off any soap so that your mat doesn’t get slippery.
- Place towels on your mat during practice. If you sweat a lot or just want a layer between you and your mat, place a towel on your mat. Towels can absorb excess moisture and make it easier to grip your mat.
- Consider purchasing a yoga towel. These super absorbent towels come with special grips that will keep the material—and you—from slipping all over your mat.
- You can buy yoga towels at some sports stores and at most online yoga specialty retailers.
- Air out your mat regularly. Most people will roll up their yoga mats after each use and cleaning and either store it in a mat bag or in a corner of their home or studio. Allow your mat to air out regularly to help evaporate lingering sweat or moisture and keep it smelling fresh.
- You can hang up your mat on hangers or place it over a laundry rack. You want to make sure you’re airing out both sides of your mat, even if you only practice on one side.
- Consider only using your mat carrier for transport purposes so that your mat can air out thoroughly after each use.
- Keep your mat in a cool, dry, and darker spot. This will also keep it from accumulating excess moisture, which can help bacteria breed.
Tips
- Double check the manufacturer's specifications to ensure your yoga mat can be washed using the above methods.
- Roll your mat up when you're not using it. Yoga mats can attract dirt and dust.
- Consider using your own mat to practice at a yoga studio. If you can't do this, find out from the studio how often the mats are cleaned. If someone has a cold or contagious skin problem and uses a studio mat, you may risk picking up that bug.
Things You'll Need
- Your yoga mat
- Liquid soap
- A shower, tub, or outdoor hose
- Somewhere to hang your mat, like a shower rod
Related wikiHows
Sources and Citations
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