Do you want to create a yoga mat cleaner spray?
Cleaning your yoga mat is essential to keeping it fresh and germ-free. Think about it, yoga mats collect a lot of dirt, grease, oil, and grime. You’re walking all over them, sweating all over them, and using them multiple times a week during your yoga practice.
One of the most effective things you can do to prevent it from getting too gross between regular washings is to use a DIY yoga mat cleaner after every yoga session.
There are some great yoga mat sprays available but making your own spray is easy and affordable. Plus, you can add your favorite essential oils so it has your favorite scent. Let’s take a look at how to make your own DIY yoga mat cleaner and how often you should clean your yoga mat for the best and most sanitary results.
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DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner Recipes
This is a really simple recipe that gets your yoga mat nice and clean and has some antibacterial qualities as well. Best of all, you probably already have everything you need right in your kitchen cabinet or pantry.
For this recipe, you need:
Mix one part warm water with three parts white vinegar in the bottle and shake to mix. Then, add eight to 10 drops of your favorite essential oils. You can also substitute apple cider vinegar for white vinegar if you prefer.
Another easy recipe is as follows:
For this one, use one part lemon juice, one part vinegar, and two parts water. Mix well. This is a great recipe that ups the antibacterial properties a bit as the lemon really brings a lot of extra cleaning properties.
Store the mixture in a cool, dark place. While this cleaner should keep for awhile, it’s best to mix in small batches and make more when needed.
How to Clean Your Yoga Mat
There are several things you should do to make sure your yoga mat is clean. A DIY yoga mat spray is an important part of the process but there are a few other things you should do to make sure you’re getting your mat as clean as possible.
After Every Use
You should use your DIY yoga mat spray after every use, especially if you’re doing a hot yoga class or if you sweat a lot. Make sure you check the manufacturer’s instructions because you don’t want to do anything that’s going to harm the integrity of your mat but, in most cases, homemade vinegar cleaners are safe.
Spritz the cleaner on the entire surface of the mat then use a paper towel or clean microfiber cloth to wipe it down.
Weekly
After every few uses or at least once a week, it’s a good idea to give your yoga mat a deep cleaning, especially if it has absorbed a lot of sweat and is starting to smell. Usually, the easiest way to do this is to take your mat and place it right into the bathtub or shower. You can use your yoga mat cleaner again, this time spraying a little more generously. Allow the mat to soak in warm water if it’s recommended by the manufacturer then rinse the cleaner and all the grime and dirt in the shower.
Deep Cleaning
Depending on how dirty your yoga mat is, you should consider a deep clean at least once a week. How? By running it through the washing machine.
It’s really important to check the manufacturer’s instructions before you do this because not all yoga mats are machine washable. The good news is that a lot are, including some of the most popular brands. Follow the directions carefully. Most yoga mats are meant to be washed in cold water on a gentle cycle. Don’t use a spin or tumble setting as this can damage the mat. And don’t use any harsh soaps or detergents.
Drying
Drying is a really important part of taking care of your yoga mat. Never put your yoga mat in the dryer as this can cause significant damage and your mat may never be the same again.
Allow your yoga mat to air dry completely before you roll it up and put it away. If you roll the mat up while it’s still wet, it can grow mold and mildew and harbor bacteria that will cause a foul odor and you’ll have to throw the mat away. You should also avoid leaving it in the bathroom to dry, unless your bathroom has really good ventilation. Most bathrooms have too much humidity which can lead to problems with mildew or just make it take a really long time for the mat to dry.
The best way to dry your yoga mat is to either lay it out flat or hang it over the back of a chair or over a fence outside. It dries faster in the sun than it would indoors.
Final Thoughts on a DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray
Like we said, one of the best things you can do to keep your yoga mat in good shape is to use your homemade yoga mat cleaner after every yoga session. It’s also a really good idea to invest in a yoga towel to place over your mat. Yoga towels are specially designed to soak up sweat while maintaining a strong grip.
A yoga towel soaks up a lot of the sweat, dirt, and germs that your mat would have otherwise collected during your yoga session. Then, you can simply toss the towel in the washing machine, freshen up your mat by wiping it down with your cleaning spray, and you’re ready to go for your next day’s workout.
You might also find our explainer on how to make a yoga mat sticky helpful.
