What’s the best way on how to clean a yoga mat? How often should you do it? What kinds of cleaning materials should you use? Get all the answers you need right here.

When it comes to yoga, it’s not only your body that needs some loving. Your yoga mat does too! However, a lot of yogis, especially beginners, are not even aware they ought to clean their mats frequently. You should because over time it stinks, and any material that smells isn’t great to use. It means bacteria, which may potentially harm you, are lurking there. But how do you exactly clean a yoga mat? I’ve got easy and practical tips right here.

How To Clean A Yoga Mat Quick And Easy

5 Easy Quick Steps To Give Your Yoga Mat Some Loving

Why do you need to clean a yoga mat? One reason: hygiene. When you do yoga, you sweat, and beads of it can end up on the mat. The constant stepping and lifting can also lead to accumulation of dirt. Put them all together, and you create a thriving breeding ground for bacteria. Cleaning and maintaining your mat, though, should not require too much time, effort, and money, so I’ve come up with this list:

1. Know when to clean it

One of the pertinent questions yogis ask is the frequency of mat cleaning. There’s actually no hard answer to this one. The implied rule is to clean your mat at least once a month. But if you’re an active yogi or a serious sweater, you have to clean it more often, like once a week. Of course, there’s no harm in trying to do the cleaning daily.

2. Spritz it

Usually, when we see something dirty, our first instinct is to give it a thorough cleaning, but a typical yoga mat doesn’t really need one. In fact, you can clean it by spritzing clean water mixed with a mild liquid soap. That’s it! You can then wipe the excess liquid with a microfiber towel.

You can then place any extra DIY solution in a small spray bottle, so you can clean your mat even when on the go (like right after every yoga session).

3. Go natural

Many yoga mats are sensitive to chemicals. That’s why I don’t recommend using any harsh cleaning agent, including bleach. If you can, consider natural solutions. The simplest will be a half-and-half mixture of water and white vinegar, which is believed to be antibacterial. For a refreshing smell and for extra protection against bacteria, add a few drops of essential oil.

 4. Hang it to dry

Even if you have dabbed a microfiber towel onto your mat, it can still keep some water, which may increase its moisture. Moisture will also help breed harmful bacteria. So after cleaning, don’t forget to dry your yoga mat. You can bring it outside, but if the mat is made from natural materials, it may not be best to expose it to sunlight. Instead, dry it inside your home for a few hours or until it is completely ready for use again. Don’t make any attempt to wring the mat.

5. Throw it away

There will come a time when you have to stop thinking about how to clean a yoga mat and just give up. Normally, a mat can last for about a year or two. After that, you should buy a new one. You may have to change it way earlier if you use it more frequently. How do you know it’s time for a new mat? Watch out for visible signs of wear and tear including detached layers, peeling, wrinkling, and tearing.

But to avoid throwing away your yoga mat without getting the most out of it, you can try using this amazing yoga mat towel I found here at Amazon. It’s called the XO-Fit Yoga Towel. What it does is it absorbs moisture fast preventing unwanted odor on your yoga mat.

Unsure how to clean a yoga mat? Check out the care label! To know why – and get more cleaning tips – see this video from BrettLarkinYoga:

Cleaning a yoga mat is indeed easy and quick! Hopefully, you make it a habit and let your mat last for as long as it can. Namaste!

Got tips on how to clean a yoga mat? I love to hear them by sharing them in your comments below. If you need more cleaning hack ideas, click this link.

Make your life easier with these great life hacks!

59 DIY Makeup Tutorials | Beauty Hacks You Need To Know About

11 High Heel Hacks That Will Make You Feel Fabulous Without Hurting

36 Cold Weather Hacks to Keep You Cozy This Winter