How often should you clean your yoga mat

Yoga mats are a hotbed for germs, dust particles, and allergens. Furthermore, when you do yoga frequently and if you are the kind of yogi who doesn’t shy away from difficult poses, then you are likely to sweat a lot. When that sweat drops onto the yoga mat, it can grow unwanted bacteria and give rise to an unpleasant odor.

One of the main reasons why you need to clean your yoga mat is because if you are practicing in a studio, then cross-contamination is a big health risk. If you are doing yoga at home, the chances of cross-contamination will be less. However, sweaty yoga mats with impurities can still be a health risk.

How to clean your yoga mat

Cleaning your yoga mat doesn’t mean you are doing to kill all the germs and bacteria. You are going to eliminate them by washing the mat. Cleaning a yoga mat is a two-step process:

Disinfectant sprays

Use disinfectant sprays that help you get rid of the fungus, germs, and bacteria that are responsible for causing athlete's foot, ringworm, and plantar warts. You will find these sprays at your studio or if you do yoga at home, then you can order them online.

At-home cleaning methods

You can sanitize your yoga mat at home by using a disinfectant spray. If you don’t have one, then you can use a replacement. Combine equal parts water and white vinegar. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in the solution. Both vinegar and tea tree oil have antibacterial properties. Sanitize your mat with this mixture

Other methods

Another method includes washing your yoga mat with water and soap. Put your mat in the bathtub and let it soak in the soapy water for a good five minutes. Start scrubbing with a soft towel. Let it air dry and don’t roll it up before it’s completely dry.

Can you machine-wash yoga mats?

There are yoga mats that are machine washable. Make sure to read the instructions carefully before tossing your yoga mat into the washing machine. Do exactly as described by the yoga mat manufacturer. Otherwise, it will lose its authenticity and won’t be of use to you anymore.

The general rule of thumb for cleaning yoga mats is after every alternate session. But if every session is making you sweat a lot, then it is recommended to wash your mat after each yoga session. If your mat starts peeling or falling apart, it’s time to throw it out and buy a new one.