Always dry completely. Whichever cleaning method you choose-rubbing with soap and water, wiping with a mat spray, or deep cleaning in the tub or washing machine-it’s important to allow your mat to dry thoroughly. Spot clean with soap and water, a mat cleaning spray, or a 50/50 solution of water and either apple cider vinegar or witch hazel. Avoid cleaning with vinegar, alcohol-based cleaners, petroleum-based solvents, or high concentrations of essential oils. You can choose any essential oils you want for the predominant scents, but I would definitely use the tea tree for its antibacterial properties. You can use the multi-purpose Voyager as a second layer by placing it on top of the yoga studio’s foam mat or on its own; just remember to not use it in extreme weather conditions. But don’t sweat it-cleaning your yoga mat is easy, and you likely have all the ingredients on hand already. If you’re tall, it might be worth looking for a mat on the higher end of this range, or even above it, to make sure you have enough space. The experts and companies we reached out to had different suggestions on the proportions of water to vinegar, and a few companies have specific recommendations for their mats (see below).

The experts SELF consulted recommend cleaning your yoga mat after each use, but that’s a general baseline. Several brands, such as Manduka, also recommend using their own mat cleaning sprays. Scour the grimy spots with a sponge while holding the mat under the water. In 1982, while teaching yoga in Germany, Angela Farmer used carpet underlay cut to towel size during yoga classes; she returned home to London with the material. Rubber is grippier, Yoga Mat Cleaning while PVC is smoother and can feel more slippery. You can hang it or expose it to the sun to let the humidity or moisture go from its surface. Or employ the sun. Wider mats give you a little more room from side to side, but just be aware that some yoga studios discourage these mats because they can alter the number of people who can fit in each row of the classroom. Roll with the mat’s top side facing out (rolling it the opposite way can damage the mat’s surface). You can do this daily to maintain clean mat.

I then spray this solution evenly over my yoga mat and wipe it down with a damp cloth. You could theoretically pick up something like a skin infection from an unclean yoga mat, but the circumstances would need to align pretty perfectly. That will remove dirt and grime from the surface as well as physically destroy or remove plenty of microorganisms without the need for sanitizing or disinfecting chemicals. You need it to be thin and not very soft otherwise you will not feel comfortable and stable during the exercise. Remember that the right yoga mat will help you to feel grounded, stable and comfortable. Performing asanas by forming postures involving bodily movements can help in making the muscles stronger and more flexible. Rolling up a damp mat can lead to mold and mildew growth. This method is perfect if your mat has a lingering smell that won’t go away. Old yoga mats that aren’t quite perfect for practice still make great camping pads. For more information on the yoga mats from each brand, see our yoga mat review. You are getting the attraction of an Anti-Slip Yoga Mat that prevents you from falling on the floor.

Yoga exercises should be relaxing and at the same time a fun experience for you. But not all yoga mats are the same. Be careful not to leave it outside and then forget about it-several yoga mat companies say too much sunlight could damage the mat. Several people I spoke with recommended against using a disinfecting wipe on a yoga mat because of potential damage, to avoid coming into contact with harsh chemicals, or even because of the unpleasant chemical odor it might leave on your mat. It’s recommended to clean your yoga mat after every practice if you use it frequently. Use a towel. To keep your mat cleaner from the get-go, Emily Schmookler, a CorePower Yoga senior yoga trainer based in the Bay Area, suggests laying a towel down on top of your mat when you practice, especially one that is moisture-wicking and will absorb sweat. Yoga is all about breathing and breathing well means clean room. You will find how to clean yoga mats made from natural or synthetic fibers in a later section.