Let’s be real – our yoga mats can get quite dirty. Especially if you have a daily and sweaty practice, then it is important to clean your yoga mat regularly. Of course, then comes the question, can we wash our yoga mat in the washing machine?
No. Don’t put your yoga mat in the washing machine. According to most yoga mat manufacturers, cleaning a yoga mat in the washing machine may cause damage and aging.
While of course, it’s not necessary to clean your yoga mat after every practice, it is important to clean your yoga mat regularly in a way that won’t cause any damage. To ensure you get to prolong the life of your yoga mat, I’ve put together a guide to help keep your mat in perfect condition. Here’s everything you need to know about how to clean your yoga mat for the best results.
As a side note, I wrote an article titled How To Clean a Yoga Mat The Right Way. Be sure to check it out!
Can I put my yoga mat in the washing machine?
No, it’s not a good idea to wash your yoga mat in the washing machine. While it can be tempting to wash your yoga mat like you do all of your yoga clothes, it will most likely damage and age your yoga mat.
Harsh detergents are too harsh for most yoga mats and may damage the material. Additionally, the spin and tumble cycle as well as the pressure of the hot water can cause further damage to your mat.
To figure out what yoga mat manufacturers have to say, I went ahead and did some research.
I emailed the top yoga mat brands (in my opinion) and I asked them!
This is the sample email I sent to Manduka:
So here are their answers in table form and below I offer their more detailed answers.
| Yoga mat brand | Can it be cleaned in the washing machine? |
| Manduka | No |
| Lululemon | No |
| Liforme | No |
| Jade | Yes |
| BMat | No |
| Gaiam | No |
And so as you can see, the vast majority of yoga mat brands don’t recommend using a washing machine to clean their yoga mats.
And so let’s now see what each yoga mat brand said in response to my email:
Can I put my Manduka yoga mat in the washing machine?
No. The most effective clean you can give your Manduka mat is by hand with a soft cloth with the appropriate cleaning solution. A washing machine will damage your mat and cause rapid aging.
Can I put my Lululemon yoga mat in the washing machine?
No. I would actually not recommend putting a Lululemon yoga mat in the washing machine, as there is a chance the protective lining on the mat may get damaged.
Can I put my Liforme mat in the washing machine?
No. As these mats are not designed to be exposed to a high amount of water in this way, we would strongly recommend against putting your mat in the washing machine.
Can I put my Jade yoga mat in the washing machine?
Yes. Jade mats can be cleaned in a front loading washing machine with hot water and no detergent. As long as the mat fits in easily, it should be ok.
Can I put my BYoga mat in the washing machine?
No. B MATs can not be cleaned in the washing machine as that will, unfortunately, ruin the mat.
Can I put my Gaiam yoga mat in the washing machine?
No. I’m so sorry but we don’t recommend the washing machine for our mats. Normally we recommend hand washing with a washcloth and warm soapy water.
How should I clean my yoga mat?
Washing your yoga mat is as easy as spraying it with a yoga mat cleaner and wiping it down.
Make sure you let your yoga mat air dry fully before rolling it up again so that it doesn’t grow mold.
If you are looking for solutions to clean your yoga mat, I have a few suggestions to add to your list.
Some of the best options I have found are:
- Buy a ready made yoga mat cleaner. More and more yoga mat manufacturers are producing yoga mat cleaning sprays. For example, Manduka, Jade, and Lululemon have their own range of sprays. These are plant based and naturally derived and tend to be recommended to be used after each practice.
- Make your own DIY yoga mat cleaner. If you want to make your own yoga mat spray, there are several alternatives. The key options are to have vinegar as the base, or which hazel or baking soda. For more information, check out my article on DIY yoga mat cleaners.
- Deep clean with warm water and soap. This is the best option if you want to give your yoga mat a deep clean. Fill a basin with some warm water (not too warm) and add some mild spao detergent. Then get a sponge and wipe your mat down. You can repeat this process several times, espcially if you feel your yoga mat is rather smelly or looks dirty.
How often do I need to clean my yoga mat?
As a general rule, try to clean your yoga mat after each yoga class, especially if you sweat a lot. This will remove any dirt and sweat from your mat and in turn, will help prevent bacteria, fungi, and viruses from living on and in our mats.
Don’t have the energy to clean your mat after every practice? At least allow your yoga mat to air dry before rolling it up.
For more information check out my article: This Is Really How Often To Clean A Yoga Mat
What I like to do is have my yoga mat cleaning sprays near my practice space. This helps remind me to wipe my mat down, especially if I’ve had a sweaty practice.
How do I deep clean my yoga mat?
You can deep clean your yoga mat with warm water and mild soap. If you have a closed-cell yoga mat, prepare the solution in a basin, and wipe down your mat using a sponge. If you have an open-cell yoga mat, you can submerge your mat in the bathtub with warm water and soap.
Manduka Pro is a typical example of a closed-cell yoga mat. And so to deep clean your closed-cell yoga mat:
- Add warm water (not too warm) and mild soap to a basin.
- Soak your sponge
- Wipe down your mat till it looks and feels clean enough.
- Repeat the process on both sides of the mat.
- Allow it to air dry.
Jade Harmony is a rubber mat and is a typical example of an open-cell yoga mat. And so to deep clean your open-cell yoga mat:
- Soak it in the tub or shower
- Allow it to completely saturate with water
- Clean both sides with a sponge
- Rinse it
- Then lay it flat to dry for 24-48 hours
- Keep away from direct sunlight
Something to point out is that open-cell rubber mats behave like a sponge. This means that it will absorb a lot of water, making it extremely heavy to lift up from the bath!
How do I dry my yoga mat?
You can dry your mat by rolling it up and squeezing out any remaining water. Next, use a towel or a cloth to rub it dry, and then the most important step of all is to let it air dry by hanging it over the back of a chair or over a railing.
Some yoga mats can be allowed to dry in direct sunlight, while for others it’s not recommended.
For example, on their website, Jade says: “DO NOT use Jade mats outside or leave the mat to dry outside. Sun or UV light can damage natural rubber.”
Similarly, Liforme says: ” seriously prolonged exposure to natural sunlight and heat can speed up the degradation process.”
Check what your yoga mat manufacturer recommends regarding direct sunlight.
Can you put a yoga mat in the dryer?
Whatever you do, avoid using putting your yoga mat in the dryer. Similar to the washing machine, their high temperatures are likely to compromise your yoga mat’s quality.
Conclusion
Avoid placing your yoga mat in the washing machine and instead either make your very own homemade mat cleaner or buy a ready-made spray.
My recommendation is to try making your own cleaner. Why? Well because you probably already have the ingredients in your house!
That way, if you are happy with the results, great! How easy was that?! Prepare the solution and after every practice, or at least after every sweaty practice, simply wipe down your mat.
Alternatively, if you don’t like the results or feel like it’s too much hassle, then go out and get one of the ready-made cleaners. Then you really won’t have any excuse to not have a super clean yoga mat!
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