A clean yoga mat offers a superior workout experience for your yoga practice. Learn how to clean a yoga mat easily with these quick DIY tips.
How Often to Clean Your Yoga Mat
How often you clean your yoga mat will depend on how much you use it. If you are practicing regularly, then you should wash your yoga mat at least once a week. If not, then every few months is fine.
How to Clean Yoga Mats
There are several ways to clean a yoga mat, but the most effective solution is to use water and soap. If you’re worried about damaging your mat with too much rubbing or scrubbing, you can use baby wipes as well.
Either way, this method will help remove any dirt and grime from your yoga mat so that it doesn’t get into the pores of your mat—which could lead to odor problems later on.
Mix Up DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner
Mixing the ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of white vinegar or lemon juice (or a combination)
- 2 tablespoons of liquid Castile soap (if you’re going to use a lemon-based cleaner, add 4 tablespoons of baking soda instead)
How to mix them together:
In a small bowl or container, combine all ingredients and stir until well combined. You can apply this mixture directly onto your mat if you want, but it’s best to use a spray bottle for easy application. This way, you can clean off more than one surface at once and save yourself some time!
If you want to use a spray bottle, fill it with water first before adding any more ingredients. Then just put in your vinegar mixture from step two and shake well before using!
Baking Soda From Your Pantry
You may be wondering what baking soda has to do with cleaning your yoga mat. Baking soda is often used as an all-natural cleaner and stain remover, so it makes sense that it would be a great way to clean your yoga mat.
Baking soda is safe for all types of yoga mats, and can be used to remove odors, stains, bacteria, and more in the following ways:
- Sprinkle some baking soda on top of the stained area and scrub it until the stain disappears (don’t use this method if you have leather or suede).
- Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture onto your yoga mat then sprinkle baking soda on top of that area before wiping off any excess liquid with a cloth towel or sponge; repeat as necessary until dirt or stains are gone from all sections of your mat
Rinse and Dry Your Yoga Mat
After you’ve cleaned your mat, rinse it with cool water. A clean towel will help remove any remaining residue. Air dry or hang your yoga mat to dry. Do not put your yoga mat in the dryer as this can damage the material and shorten its life span.
If you are concerned about odors on your yoga mat, try placing a few drops of essential oil (such as lavender or tea tree) onto the dirtiest part of the surface before washing and rinsing it clean. If these natural cleaners don’t do the trick, consider purchasing an all-natural odor eliminator spray from a sporting goods store or health shop nearby that offers natural products like Lush Cosmetics & Potions (located online). These sprays work best when sprayed directly onto a dirty surface before washing so that they have time to penetrate deep into fabric fibers where smells tend to linger—that means spraying before hand-washing would be more effective than spraying after hand-washing has been completed!
A clean yoga mat offers a superior workout experience for your yoga practice. Learn how to clean a yoga mat easily with these quick DIY tips.
You should clean your yoga mat after every use, especially if you sweat during your practice. The bacteria and fungi that live on the surface of your mat can create an unpleasant odor and be harmful to your health. To properly clean a yoga mat, spray it with a mixture of water and essential oils or alcohol wipes (alcohol-based sprays are not recommended). You can also use homemade cleaners that include baking soda and tea tree oil to disinfect the surface of the sticky pad. Finally, dry it using an absorbent towel so it doesn’t grow mold or mildew over time.
Conclusion
Yoga is a great way to help you relax and escape the stresses of everyday life. But if your yoga mat isn’t properly sanitized, then you may be bringing more than peace of mind home from the studio. Cleaning your mat regularly is an important part of maintaining good hygiene during your yoga practice. And it doesn’t have to be difficult! Follow these simple steps for how to clean a yoga mat at home, and you can enjoy all the benefits of spiritual, physical and mental well-being without worrying about what bacteria might be lurking on your mat.
