How to Clean Your Yoga Mat, According to Experts

We get it: Cleaning your workout equipment after every use might seem like another chore you don’t have time for, especially on those days when it feels hard to find time for exercise in the first place.

But making sure your yoga mat is clean and ready to go for next time is not only a good habit for basic cleanliness, but it can also help prevent skin infections and extend the lifespan of your mat. (And rest assured, it doesn’t take much time at all to clean.)

We talked to three experts—a microbiologist, a dermatologist, and a Peloton instructor—to learn how to clean your yoga mat. Below, find pro tips that’ll help keep your health and your yoga mat’s health in tip-top shape.

Why You Need to Clean Your Yoga Mat

It’s simple: You need to clean your yoga mat because it collects sweat, dirt, and odor over time, says board-certified dermatologist and yoga instructor Jennifer Chwalek, MD. Then there's the stuff you don’t see: “Bacteria, viruses, and mold/fungi can accumulate on yoga mats and increase our risk for skin infections,” she explains. 

This can include bacterial skin infections such as folliculitis (which looks like inflamed papules and pustules similar to acne) or impetigo (a superficial skin infection that causes redness, vesicles, pustules, and crusting), warts, and fungal infections such as ringworm, Dr. Chwalek explains.

As you’d probably guess, this risk is higher if you’re using a yoga mat that’s shared. Charles Gerba, PhD, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, points out that studies have found a link between MRSA infections (also known as staph infections) and improperly sanitized fitness equipment, including yoga mats. This bacteria can cause infections that, in some cases, could be especially dangerous, he points out. But don’t panic: Other research suggests this isn’t incredibly common, and “if you’re the only person using the mat, you have less risk of accruing an infection,” Dr. Gerba says.

Besides keeping your own health in check, regular cleaning is good for the health of your mat, too. “There’s evidence that certain groups of bacteria can degrade rubber products, so not regularly cleaning your mat may destroy it over time,” Dr. Chwalek says.

And of course, a clean yoga mat simply makes for a nicer environment to practice yoga—because who wants to breathe in the smell of yesterday’s sweat when they’re in Savasana?

How Often Should You Clean a Yoga Mat?

According to both Dr. Gerba and Dr. Chwalek, you should clean your yoga mat after every time you use it. Dr. Gerba considers this a non-negotiable if the mat is being shared with others. 

If you tend to get super sweaty and use your mat frequently, it’s a good idea to do a deeper clean once a week, Dr. Chwalek adds. The reasoning is pretty simple: “The more you are sweating on the mat and using it, the more potential for bacteria and dirt to accumulate,” she explains. 

You might also want to clean your mat more often in the summer. As Dr. Chwalek points out, if you’ve been wearing sandals or open-toe shoes, you might not realize the extra dirt you’re tracking onto your mat. And if you’re in a crowded studio rather than using your mat at home, it’s more likely that other people will step on your mat with their potentially dirty feet, too. 

How Long Does It Take to Clean a Yoga Mat?

Daily yoga mat maintenance only takes a few minutes, while a deep cleaning session could take you 10–15 minutes (or about 15 minutes in the washing machine). All in all, a pretty minimal time commitment for peace of mind, we’d say!

What You Need to Clean a Yoga Mat

What you use to clean your yoga mat is really dependent on the type of mat you have. “You should always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations because if you use the wrong cleanser, you could possibly destroy the mat,” Dr. Chwalek says.

We’ll get into what cleaning method might be best for your specific type of mat, but in the meantime, here are some basic supplies to keep on hand:

How to Create a DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

If you want to make your own yoga mat cleaning solution, Dr. Chwalek recommends combining 1 part vinegar to 20 parts water, plus a few drops of tea tree oil (which has antimicrobial properties) in a spray bottle. (She suggests testing a small area of your mat first to see how it responds.) 

Peloton instructor Kristin McGee has a similar go-to solution, which calls for a spray bottle of “mostly water, a cap full (or one to two spoonfuls) of tea tree oil, and one cap full (or one to two spoonfuls) of vinegar,” she says. “You can play around with the dilution but this spritz is super clean and wonderful to use daily after you use your mat.”

What About Store-Bought Solutions?

If you’re short on time and would rather buy a cleaning solution, many major yoga mat brands sell cleansers made with non-toxic products formulated for their mats, Dr. Chwalek says. Manufacturers typically don’t recommend traditional disinfectant wipes or sprays, as they can damage your mat and aren’t the best to breathe deep during practice.

At the same time, Dr. Gerba points to one recent study looking at the connection between MRSA and yoga mats that found commercial cleaners with bleach are more effective than natural cleaning products. (That’s why experts at the Cleveland Clinic recommend using a chemical disinfectant for shared yoga mats, especially at the gym—but they note it’s not necessary for a personal mat.)

All in all, the solution you use might come down to your individual preferences, whether or not you’re sharing a yoga mat with others, and your mat’s specific care instructions.

How to Clean Your Yoga Mat

“How you clean your yoga mat is really dependent on the type of mat you have,” Dr. Chwalek reminds us. Yoga mats usually are composed of either natural rubber, PVC, cork, jute, or some combination of these materials, she says. Before cleaning your yoga mat, you’ll want to determine if it’s “closed-cell” or “open-cell”: 

With that in mind, here’s how to clean your yoga mat, depending on the type of mat you have and the level of clean you’re after:

For a Quick, Post-Class Clean: 

For a Deeper Clean (Closed-Cell Mat):

For a Deeper Clean (Open-Cell Mat):

Can You Clean a Yoga Mat in the Washing Machine?

It depends. Some yoga mats can be thrown in the washing machine, but you’ll want to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific mat, Dr. Chwalek says. Some materials are susceptible to wear and tear in the machine, so if you’re not sure, stick to hand-washing to avoid ruining your mat.

If the manufacturer says it is safe to machine-wash your yoga mat, Dr. Gerba suggests using hot water with at least a 15-minute cycle to make sure it’s properly disinfected. (But again, if your mat suggests a cold, gentle cycle, you’ll want to defer to those instructions!)

If your mat can indeed go in a washing machine, this can be a great cleaning method to use in addition to everyday wipe-downs. “Once a month or so, I'll throw my mat in the washer on a gentle cycle and hang it dry,” Kristin says. 

How to Dry and Store Your Yoga Mat

After you wipe down or clean your yoga mat, be sure to let it air-dry completely before you roll it up and store it in a bag or anywhere else, Dr. Chwalek says. (Note that open-cell mats typically absorb water like a sponge and will take much longer to dry than closed-cell mats.)

Drying your mat before tucking it away is a key step: “Bacteria and viruses can live on yoga mats anywhere from several hours to several days and fungi can survive on surfaces for months—especially if the environment is moist and damp,” Dr. Chwalek explains. 

Once your mat is totally dry, store it in a cool, dry place, Dr. Gerba and Dr. Chwalek say, since heat and moisture can create the right environment for microbial growth.

Proper storage could also extend your mat’s lifespan. It’s a good idea to store your mat away from a window or radiator, especially if it’s made of natural rubber, cork, or jute, as Dr. Chwalek says these materials can dry out or deteriorate if exposed to direct sun or extreme heat. (She also recommends rolling a natural rubber mat so the rubber side is inside to protect it from degrading over time when exposed to sunlight.)

“Another safe way to store and preserve your mat is to hang it up either with a gentle clip or fold it over a rod—some studios store mats this way,” Dr. Chwalek says. Of course, this isn’t always possible at home, so don’t overthink it—just make sure you don’t undo all your hard work cleaning your yoga mat by storing it with or in anything dirty. “If you store it in a bag or with straps, make sure to wash these accessories occasionally so they don't introduce dirt, odor, and microbes to your clean mat,” Dr. Chwalek adds.

To put things simply, take Kristin’s advice for drying and storing: “I always let my mat air dry or throw it over a drying rack, then I roll it up and store it in my closet,” she says. 

How Can You Keep Your Yoga Mat Cleaner for Longer?

Want to level up your yoga mat’s cleanliness and improve its longevity? Here are a few tips from our experts:

The Takeaway

A yoga practice can help you de-stress and stay healthy—as long as you make cleaning your mat a regular practice, too. Luckily, cleaning a yoga mat mat doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming, and can give you peace of mind so you aren’t worried about infection-causing bacteria the next time you’re in Downward-Facing Dog pose.

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute individualized advice. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek the advice of your physician for questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. If you are having a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately.