Having a yoga mat means that deep cleaning it once in a while is part of the deal. This process can be a chore. But I have an easy way to deep clean a yoga mat in under five minutes.
I love rolling out my mat and getting ready for my practice. But I don’t like the dirt that my yoga mat sometimes collects. This technique for deep cleaning my yoga mat in under five minutes is something I try to do once a month.
There are three ways to deep clean your yoga mat. The first is to use a yoga mat brand-specific cleaner spray and let the spray sit on your mat for 5-10 minutes. The other option is to spray your mat with 1tsp baking soda in water or wipe your mat with a mixture of water and mild dish soap.
As a side note, I wrote an article titled How To Clean a Yoga Mat The Right Way. Be sure to check it out!
How to Deep Clean a Yoga Mat in Under 5 Minutes
So, how do you deep clean your yoga mat in less than 5 minutes? Well, we have two main options. The first option is for the yoga mats that have a corresponding yoga mat cleaner and the second option is for those that don’t.
To be more specific, let’s have a look at the best yoga mat brands (in my opinion), and let’s see if they have their very own yoga mat cleaner.
| Yoga mat brand | Do they have a cleaner spray? |
| Manduka | Yes, Manduka Yoga Mat Wash and Refresh |
| Jade | Yes, Plant-Based Mat Wash |
| Liforme | No. |
| Lululemon | Yes, Yoga Mat Spray Cleanser |
| BYoga | Yes, The Cleanser |
If your yoga mat has it’s own cleaner
If you have a Manduka, Jade, Lululemon, or BYoga mat, then you could also purchase the brand-specific cleaner and follow the following steps for a deep clean.
- Spray your mat with the yoga mat manufacturer’s spray cleaner.
- Leave for 5-10 minutes*
- Wipe it off with a sponge or cloth.
- Let it air dry.
*Manduka, in particular, recommends leaving their Manduka Yoga Mat Wash and Refresh for 10 minutes when deep cleaning their yoga mats.
This is the best way to spend about 5-10 minutes deep cleaning your yoga mat, whilst knowing that you are following the yoga mat recommended cleaning process.
If your yoga mat doesn’t have its own cleaner
If you have a Liforme yoga mat, then you could make your own cleaning recipe.
- Fill spray bottle with water and add 1 teaspoon baking soda.
- Spray your mat.
- Wipe it off with a sponge or cloth.
- Let it air dry.
The total time for this method takes about 5 minutes, as you also have to prepare the cleaner. But the total time that you actually spend cleaning your mat on it takes about 2 minutes.
Make sure that you pick a day when you know you won’t be practicing as your yoga mat will need time to air dry.
Step One: Prepare the Yoga Mat Cleaner
If you’re using a brand-specific yoga mat cleaner spray then you can skip this step.
What you may need are some specific items to get started. These are things you may already have, such as an old spray bottle or sprayer, a cloth, or a sponge.
Make sure that the spray bottle is cleaned out and then mix together 3/4 parts water and 1/4 part soap.
Some people like to use dish soap when they clean their yoga mats. It’s a softer soap and they feel more comfortable using it. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Soap is a popular option, and it’s also plant-derived, biodegradable, and cruelty-free. However, there are many different types of soap you can use.
Other vegan cleaners include:
- Seventh Generation
- Puracy
- Love Home and Planet
- Ecover
- Ecos
Step Two: Spray Your Yoga Mat
After you get your cleaning mixture set up, spray your yoga mat. You can allow the cleaner to sit for a few moments but don’t let the spray dry on the mats.
Step 3: Wipe it
Next, using a cloth or a sponge, wipe the entire surface of your yoga mat. If you still find some dirty spots, spray them with more cleaning solution and wipe again.
Step 4: Repeat on the Other Side
Turn your yoga mat over and repeat the process on the other side.
Step 5: Let your Yoga Mat Air Dry
After wiping your yoga mat, let it air dry. You can hang it over some chairs or on the washing line. If possible, keep it out of direct sunlight, especially if it’s a rubber yoga mat.
Once your yoga mat is dry, roll it back up. Your mat has been deep cleaned and is ready for your next practice.
Tips
Something that you might want to consider is the frequency or how often you should deep clean your yoga mat. This can depend on how often you practice and how smelly your mat is.
Once you’ve done a thorough job of cleaning your mat, it should be easier to keep it clean. All that would be required is a quick wipe with a damp cloth after every sweaty practice or just give it a weekly wipe down.
If possible, having a monthly deep clean of your yoga mat will certainly keep it in good condition. It can be easy for dust and dirt to build up, so if you can do this at least once a month, it’ll be easier to prolong your mat’s lifespan.
And if you’re wondering if you can simply wash your yoga mat in the washing machine, hopefully, this article will help change your mind: Yoga Mat in the Washing Machine – Yes or No?
Extra Ways To Deep Clean A Yoga Mat
If you have a rubber yoga mat, such as Jade or BYoga, you could also try soaking it.
- Soak it in the tub or shower
- Allow it to completely saturate with water
- Lay it flat to dry
- Keep away from direct sunlight for 24-48 hours
Conclusion
Hopefully, my article has given you some information and instructions on how to deep clean your yoga mat.
My final tip is to try to always buy good quality yoga mats because that will definitely help with the maintenance and reduce the chance of future damage.
Yes, the best yoga mats tend to be more expensive, but not needing to replace them often will give you greater benefits.
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