How to Make Your Own DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

Disinfect your yoga mat after every use with one of these customizable DIY cleaning sprays.

August 11, 2020

Whether you’re joining yoga class via screen from the comfort of your own home, participating in a studio, or signed up for a session in a memorable outdoor setting, remember that it’s always a good idea to clean your yoga mat after each workout. Incorporate this into your routine by making a simple spray for on-the-go mat upkeep. Store it in a small bottle that you can bring to class, and know that you’re doing your part to keep germs, allergens and mildew at bay.

Yoga training concept during covid-19 in indoor studio.

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Yoga training concept during covid-19 in indoor studio.

Photo by: Getty Images/VisualCommunications

Getty Images/VisualCommunications

Surface cleaners are plentiful in most household cabinets, but in this case, it’s always good to have a cleaner that doesn't need to be washed off and won't irritate your skin during your next session. You also don’t want a cleaner so intense that it threatens to break down the material in any way. If your yoga mat came with manufacturer cleaning instructions, read them over to be safe. The key is to create something that will truly disinfect the surface without damaging it.

One big benefit of making your own yoga mat spray is that you can control the scent (or opt for a scent-free formula).

Materials Needed

  • empty spray bottle
  • funnel for convenience
  • water
  • white vinegar
  • vodka
  • tea tree oil (for its disinfecting antibacterial and anti-fungal properties)
  • other essential oils (optional, for scent)
Brown Spray Bottle, Red Funnel, Essential Oil Bottles and Clear Bowl

DIY Disinfecting Spray Supplies

Only a few ingredients are needed to make a power and safe disinfecting spray.

Photo by: Debbie Wolfe

Debbie Wolfe

Two DIY Yoga Mat Sprays That’ll Really Work

Scented Spray:

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1/2 cup of white vinegar
  • 3 drops of tea tree oil
  • 1-3 drops of your favorite scented essential oil, or combination scent (Lavender! Eucalyptus! Lemon! Oh, the choices.)

Unscented Spray:

  • 1 cup of water
  • 1/2 cup of white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup of vodka (70+ proof)

Apply the spray to the surface, wipe away any excess moisture and allow it to air dry before rolling it up at the end of class. The next time you use it, your yoga mat will be fresh and clean, just like the day you bought it.

Spray and wipe down your yoga mat to disinfect it after class.

How to Clean a Yoga Mat with DIY Cleaner

Make an easy DIY cleaner that will disinfect your yoga mat after every class.

Photo by: Emily Fazio

Emily Fazio

If you used the scented spray, revel in your happy place. If you used the unscented mix, you might notice a mild scent while the solution is wet (perhaps like a boozy potato chip), but it will dry scent-free.

Spray and wipe down your yoga mat to disinfect it after class.

How to Clean a Yoga Mat with DIY Cleaner

Make an easy DIY cleaner that will disinfect your yoga mat after every class.

Photo by: Emily Fazio

Emily Fazio

How to Deep Clean Your Yoga Mat

Don’t rely on the occasional spray down alone; your yoga mat really does need a deep clean once in a while depending on where you use it and with what frequency. Yoga mats may come with some basic cleaning instructions from the manufacturer, but one safe tried-and-true method that really works is submerging it in the bathtub.

Fill the tub with a few inches of warm water. Use a washcloth with a drizzle of dish soap or a mild detergent to wash both sides of the mat, and effectively deep clean any oils from the surface without damaging the material. Never use an abrasive cleanser or sponge.

Remove it from the bathtub and hang it on a towel rack to air dry, or over your shower curtain bar. (Put a bath mat beneath it to catch the drips.) Once it's dry, you can roll it up and put it away.

Photo by: Courtesy of the Allison Inn & Spa

Courtesy of the Allison Inn & Spa

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