Cleaning Your Mat

Whether you enjoy traditional or hot yoga, practice once a week or daily,  every once in a while your mat just needs a good cleaning.  Below are several options for keeping your mat clean and fresh.

Option 1
Whether outdoors or indoors using your clothesline is an easy way to clean your mat.  Hang your mat, at a height that's easy  to reach, then fill a bucket with warm water mixed with a mild soap and use a clean soft towel or soft brush to wipe your mat down; both sides.  Rinse with clean water and allow your mat to dry thoroughly.  If you're cleaning your mat outside just remember to keep it out of direct sunlight as the sun can break down the fibers of your mat.

Option 2
There are many commercial cleaning solutions created just for yoga mats but you can easily, and probably more cheaply, create your own! Having a cleaning solution in a spray bottle makes cleaning a breeze and far less messy.

Either keep your mat unrolled on the floor or hang, then thoroughly wet down your mat with your solution. Using a clean soft towel* wipe down your mat, allowing plenty of time for it to dry.  If you've hung your mat clean both sides at the same time and allow to dry; if you're keeping your mat on the floor to clean, once one side has dried, flip it over and clean the other side.
Below I'll share an easy way to make your own cleaning solution.

* your towel can be dry, or if your mat is super icky, dampen the towel before wiping down your mat.

Option 3
Use your bathtub! Fill your tub with warm (mild) soapy water then lay your mat inside and allow the soapy water to do the work for you.  Rinse with clean water and place somewhere where your mat can dry.


​Make Your Own Solution:
This is the basic 'formula' that I use for a scented anti fungal/ antibacterial solution.  Have fun, experiment and create your own!

• 2-4 oz. Spray Bottle
• Distilled or Spring Water
• Witch Hazel, White Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
• Tea Tree Oil
• Essential Oil of your choice  (ex: lavender, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint)

Fill your bottle first with water then add either vinegar or witch hazel.   The amount of each that you  will use will depend on the size of bottled chosen, but my rule of thumb is to use 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar/witch hazel.

Next, I add 3 or so drops of tea tree oil, then about 10 drops of  aromatherapy oil.  (you can use just one or combine several oils, the amount you use depends on your preference, just be mindful that some scents are stronger than others so you may need more/less).
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Shake the bottle before using, spray your mat, wipe down and allow both sides to dry before using your mat again.

Clean your mat as often as you feel it needs it!


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