Written by Kathryn Courts Posted on December 21

How to clean a yoga mat: information and advice on the best hygiene of a yoga mat.

Knowing how to clean your yoga mat is the best way to ensure that your yoga mat is always in its best condition, no matter what activity you choose, whether it's cultivating physical and mental connections through yoga or exercising strength and flexibility through Pilates.

Consider how you care for your yoga mat, because it is important not to neglect the hygiene and longevity of the mat, because it can support you. You may wipe the mat after training, or wonder if you should put it in the washing machine for washing. There are clear tips to enhance the health of the mat and provide advice on how to clean the yoga mat.

There are a variety of yoga mats to choose from, and you can keep the yoga mat clean in a variety of ways to provide you with the best work foundation. See when, how, and why to use your yoga mat and evidence-based strategies to ensure optimal health for you and your practice.

It is a good idea to clean the mat after every yoga class. Think about the way you use your yoga mat, whether it's in a hot yoga class or focusing on yin yoga to center yourself on stillness. Your yoga mat is constantly exposed to sweaty, warm and humid environments.

Jessica Ek, Director of Digital Communications at the Clean Institute of America, told Live Science, “Bacteria and bacteria thrive in a dark, humid environment, just like a rolled yoga mat that sweats but is not cleaned after use. It’s the same. The next time you use that mat, the bacteria that have multiplied will be transferred to your skin and clothes. For skin health and overall health, it’s important to keep your exercise equipment clean."

Cleaning the yoga mat after each class will reduce the accumulation of bacteria and bacteria. 

"If you are sweating all the time, you will want to clean it after every use. This may just be a partial clean or wipe and let it dry." 

If left untreated, continued exposure to dirty surfaces will increase the likelihood of health problems.

You can clean your mats after class and clean them thoroughly once in a while, but there is a key difference between cleaning and disinfection. For best results, it is important to use these two methods when maintaining yoga mats.

"It's a matter of removing and killing or inactivating pathogens, microorganisms that cause infections and diseases," Ek said.

Only a combination of soap and water is required to clean most pads.

Yoga mats are usually made of PVC, which is non-porous and can withstand soap and water well.

When using PVC mats, make sure to protect the integrity of the yoga mat. The surface of the PVC mat is usually sticky, which can enhance the grip and stability when practicing yoga. Scrubbing the surface of the mat will damage the top layer of support.

Although regular cleaning is important, don’t neglect the process of disinfecting yoga mats. Tea tree is often used as a disinfectant because of its antiseptic properties. 

Ek explained, “When disinfecting, you will irreversibly inactivate pathogens on the surface.”

Cleaning can remove bacteria and dirt, while disinfection can kill any remaining bacteria and other contaminants. 

Similarly, for yoga mats of different materials, be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations, as some mats will be made of materials that are more sensitive to certain oils and soaps. 

Using a yoga mat made of polyurethane, you can wipe the mat to clean it. However, please note that these mats are more porous in nature, so exposing them to too much liquid may damage the anti-slip properties of the yoga mat, which is very important for people who practice yoga. Too much liquid may also affect the beauty of the cushion, because absorption may leave stains.

At a basic level, it is helpful to understand that rubber mats are not suitable for high concentrations of essential oils, as they can damage the mats over time. 

Yoga mats made of cork are also sensitive to high levels of oil, but because cork has natural anti-microbial properties, they can resist bacteria and bacteria and odors, so they are more sustainable.

Using a towel during yoga is not a bad idea, as it provides a layer between you and your mat and is easy to clean between classes. However, the use of towels does not mean that you do not need to consider the hygiene of the mat. 

Although towels can absorb the sweat and moisture generated during yoga classes, your mat will still be contaminated with some bacteria during use. 

You may not need to clean it regularly, but it is important not to ignore it completely. You will reduce the risk of health problems and unpleasant odors interfering with your session every time you wipe the mat after use.

There are several factors at play when deciding when to invest in a new mat. The frequency with which you use the yoga mat, the type of courses you participate in, and the level of care you need to clean and store the yoga mat all affect the life of the yoga mat. The more environmentally friendly mats made of rubber or cork also decompose faster than PVC yoga mats.

"If you notice that the cushions are falling apart, slippery in places, or insufficient cushioning over time, these may be signs of looking for a new cushion," Ek said.

In terms of hygiene, to protect yourself from bacteria and bacteria, the most important factor is the smell. Once you realize the unpleasant smell that cannot be removed by cleaning, it may be time to replace the cushion with a new one. 

Kathryn Courts is a health and fitness writer with a passion for the topic of overall health. With experience in the field of mental health and fitness, Kathryn combines knowledge with practice. She is particularly interested in the connection between neuroscience and behavioral patterns, hoping to provide insight and education for the development of healthy interpersonal relationships and self-care. When not writing, she appreciates outdoor activities, looking for new walking trails or relaxing by the water.

Sign up for our Essentials newsletter for the latest scientific news.

Thank you for signing up for Live Science. You will receive a verification email shortly.

has a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our company website.

© Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036.