How to clean your yoga mat?

You practice yoga and you usually notice your equipment getting dirty before your eyes; footprints, white particles, grease stains, slight odor...

First of all, you should know that it is recommended to buy your own equipment (your soul mat) because the studio mats are not very hygienic and are often maintained very superficially by the students. This is also why you will find them slippery! Using the mats provided by the studios is a bit like playing sports with someone else's dirty t-shirt.

So, if you are lucky enough to own a yoga mat, here are some tips on how to care for your yoga mat.

Cleaning your yoga mat , at home, by machine or by hand after each use or regularly is necessary to keep it longer. Indeed, session after session, your equipment becomes a nest of bacteria where you have the unpleasant surprise of finding stains and unpleasant odors. Dirt can sometimes damage the surface coating of your mat.

Before washing, read the manufacturer's care instructions.

Wash your yoga mat after each use

During yoga practice, sweat builds up on your mat making it slippery. So, it may be necessary to wash your yoga mat after each practice.

Cleaning your yoga mat with detergent

After each yoga session, wipe your equipment with a detergent or baby wipe. However, there is also a yoga mat disinfectant . Once clean and dry, roll it up and store it away from dust and sunlight.

Clean your yoga mat with essential oils

If you don't want to use chemicals or if your mat is made of natural rubber, opt for economical and ecological maintenance. The Manduka brand offers a wide range of yoga mat cleaning sprays with essential oils.

But if you prefer the homemade solution, here are some tips to make your own homemade yoga mat spray , you need to mix 300 ml of water, 100 ml of white vinegar, 1 drop of tea tree essential oil, 1 drop of lemon essential oil and 1 drop of lavender essential oil. The last three ingredients are antiseptic. Shake to homogenize your homemade yoga mat cleaner well then spray on your equipment. Finally, wipe with a microfiber cloth or let dry.

Cleaning your yoga mat

You don't prefer to maintain a yoga mat after each use? However, it must be cleaned regularly. The washing interval will depend on the frequency of the sessions: between 1 time per month and every 2 months. Be careful, do not wash your equipment the day before your yoga practice, because the mat takes a long time to dry.

Washing your yoga mat in the washing machine

The simplest and most effective way to maintain your yoga mat , especially if it is very dirty, is to wash it in the washing machine. However, you must follow certain tips to avoid damaging your equipment:

– Check carefully whether your carpet can withstand machine washing

– Do not put your equipment with the rest of your clothes

– Opt for a cold water cycle

– Use a very mild detergent and in small quantities (e.g. Marseille soap or soap for delicate laundry)

– Avoid using fabric softener

– Do not wring out the water, but instead use clean towels to absorb excess water.

– Do not put your rug in the dryer, on a radiator or in the sun to dry it, but hang it in a place where there are no rays

Cleaning your yoga mat by hand

Of course, maintaining your yoga mat by hand, in a bathtub or shower, is not the most practical, but there is no choice when you don't have a washing machine or when the mat does not fit in the washing machine.

Method number 1 for cleaning your yoga mat by hand

– First, wet the carpet with lukewarm water

– Rub it with Marseille soap and insist on the stains if necessary

– Rinse it until all traces of soap disappear.

– Do not put your rug in the dryer, in the sun or on a radiator.

– To wring it out, wipe it with clean towels then put it to dry on a drying rack

Method number 2 for washing your yoga mat by hand

– Place your rug in hot water with a little mild detergent, soap or dishwashing liquid (about 1 tablespoon of detergent for 4 L of water)

– Soak it for a few minutes

– Take it out of the water and gently wipe it with a soft cloth

– Rinse your mat with lukewarm water until there are no more marks and it no longer slips.

Drying your yoga mat

You may be wondering how to dry your yoga mat? In reality, it's very simple. First, shake your mat over your shower or bathtub to remove excess water. Then, place it on clean, dry towels and roll up the mat to absorb the rest. Don't hesitate to press on the formed roll to remove as much water as possible. Afterwards, hang your mat on a drying rack, away from the radiator and the sun's rays so as not to damage the fibers.