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How to clean your yoga mat the right way
Before you go into child's pose, think about what could be lingering on your beloved yoga mat.
Your yoga mat goes through a lot when you're practicing mindfulness. With all the dead skin cells and sweat, it can get pretty gross pretty fast. When's the last time you wiped down yours? If the date has escaped your mind, you should probably learn how to clean it properly before you lay your clean face where your sweaty tootsies have been.
Keeping your mat clean not only extends its life and keeps it in pristine condition but also it's better for your skin and your health. Yoga mats are spongey, so when they're dirty and damp, they become a breeding ground for bacteria, and you don't want your face or hands touching a surface like that.
I spoke with double board-certified dermatologist Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD, to find out why you need to keep your yoga mat clean and what you're risking health-wise if you don't. Plus, I've got plenty of tips for cleaning your mat too.
Why you should clean your yoga mat
When you're doing exercises like hot or power yoga, your body produces oils and sweat that can drip onto your mat mid-pose, so it's important to immediately wipe it down after each use so it doesn't continue accumulating. And what if you don't? If you decide to roll your mat up without cleaning it after each yoga session, bacteria can build up and infections may occur, Houshmand says, and it'll start to smell bad. That's because microbes grow in humid environments like a yoga or gym class.
In addition, Houshmand highly recommends using your own yoga mat and not a shared mat.
"Warts, athletes' foot and bacterial skin infections like folliculitis or impetigo can occur, especially on shared mats," she says. That's enough to make me want to disinfect my mat every time.
How often should you clean your yoga mat?
My yoga instructor recommends that we wipe down our mats after each use — and no exceptions if it's a shared yoga mat. Think about it: Would you want to use a mat that someone else just sweated all over and didn't clean afterward? Probably not. If you're borrowing a mat, your yoga studio should have cleaning supplies you can use.
Even if you're using your own mat, you should still wipe it down after each use — yes, even if you don't sweat. Here's why: you place your mat on the floor each time you practice yoga, and if you're in a public area, viruses or bacteria could be present on the surface — especially if someone in the class before yours was sick (some viruses can survive up to three days on a surface). When you roll your mat up, the underside touches the top side that you exercise on, which can expose you to those viruses and bacteria.
You should even wipe your mat down after every use if you only practice at home. Just because you're in your own home doesn't mean you mat isn't picking up whatever your or your pet's feet are tracking out of the kitchen, or worse, the bathroom.
You should also deep clean your personal mat at least once a month — sooner if your mat looks dirty, has an odor or feels grimy. You may also want to give it a deep clean if you live in a more humid climate. Mild soap and water may be helpful for a deep cleaning at least once a week, Houshmand says.
Can you wash your yoga mat in the washing machine?
While some yoga mats are machine-washable, most instructions will tell you not to put it in the washer, and even not to soak it in a bathtub. Doing so could damage the mat or cause it to start falling apart.
If you can't find washing directions on the mat, check the manufacturer's website.
How to clean a yoga mat
Check the label to see what the material is and whether there are specific instructions for disinfecting it. Our favorite yoga mat overall for 2025is the Jade Harmony yoga mat, and the brand recommends using its in-house natural cleanser. Likewise, the Lululemon The Mat instructions say to only use a natural cleanser or even just a damp cloth for daily cleaning.
The majority of yoga mats are closed-cell and they're pretty easy to clean since they don't absorb moisture as well as open-cell mats. For both types, wipes are an easy way to quickly clean them after your workouts — just make sure the wipes are safe for your skin. "Antibacterial wipes may be helpful for counters but may be too harsh for your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin, eczema or any open cuts to your skin," Houshmand says. If you do have sensitive skin, you can use a gentle, natural cleanser (like what's recommended with some yoga mat brands).
Wipe down every inch of your mat. I usually start at one corner and wipe side to side until I reach the opposite corner. Wipe the floor below it, flip the mat and clean the other side.
How to deep clean your yoga mat
When it's time to deep clean your yoga mat — remember, that's at least once a month or when it starts to smell or look gross — note whether your mat has special instructions. If not, make your own mix: one cup of white vinegar (or witch hazel) mixed with four cups of water in a spray bottle should do the trick. Alternatively, try mixing a gentle soap with warm water — just make sure to wipe your mat down with a damp, soap-free cloth to remove any residue.
Do you need to buy a yoga mat cleaner?
A company may recommend that you buy a specific cleanser that's designed for your yoga mat, but for most mats a natural cleaner will work. If you don't want to DIY with the vinegar or witch hazel mix above, a popular pre-made pick on Amazon is this Asutra yoga mat cleaning spray, which comes in multiple scents.
If you prefer the simplicity of a wipe, consider these dedicated Tidy Mat Yoga Mat Cleaner wipes or these less expensive, compostable, hypoallergeinic Honest body wipes.
How to dry and store a yoga mat
Where and how you store your mat is also important. After you clean your mat, wipe off any moisture with a clean towel to help speed up the drying process. Don't just roll it up and toss it aside immediately after.
Since bacteria, yeast and fungi thrive in warm, damp environments, Houshmand recommends drying the mat completely before rolling it up. This can help prevent mold and mildew and prolong the life of your mat. If you generally practice yoga in a studio, you can always clean it as soon as you get home instead and leave it unrolled until it dries.
You should never put your yoga mat in the dryer or out in the sun. Doing so can cause it to deteriorate or become damaged.
In the market for a new yoga mat? Here are the best ones we've tested and reviewed, including one designed for hot yoga.
