How To Clean Your Yoga Mat

How To Clean Your Yoga Mat

How to Clean & Disinfect Your Yoga Mat and Gear

In yoga, the principle of Saucha reminds us of the importance of cleanliness both inside and out. It’s about keeping your body, mind, and environment clear and pure so your practice can feel its best. That includes your yoga mat.

Caring for your Manduka mat isn’t just about hygiene it’s an act of mindfulness. When you take the time to clean your mat, you’re showing up for your practice with intention.

To help you do it right, we’ve teamed up with studio partners and scientists to create this guide on how to clean and disinfect your yoga mat and props safely and effectively.

Start by Knowing Your Mat

Manduka mats are made from different materials, and each one needs its own care routine. So before you start cleaning, it’s important to know what your mat is made of. Manduka mats use different materials from natural rubber to closed-cell PVC and each one requires a different kind of care. Knowing your mat’s material helps you clean it the right way and extend its life.

Caring for Your PRO Series Mat

(Includes PRO, PROlite, and PRO XL)

Manduka’s PRO Series mats are made with closed-cell material. That means they don’t absorb moisture, sweat, or bacteria so cleaning them is all about keeping the surface fresh.

How to Care for Your PRO Mat:

Your PRO mat actually gets better with time and use. As it breaks in, the surface develops more texture, giving you even better grip.

To keep your mat in top shape:

  • After Every Practice:
    Wipe it down with Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh. Spray the surface evenly and wipe clean with a fresh cloth. Always let it dry before rolling it up or using it again.

  • Important:
    Never soak your PRO mat, put it in the shower, or submerge it in water. This could damage the structure of the mat. Always store it in a cool, dry place.

For a Deeper Clean:
Spray the mat generously until the surface is visibly wet. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes. Then, use a clean cloth to gently scrub any spots with dirt or stains. Allow the mat to fully dry before rolling it up or stepping back onto it.

Caring for Your eKO® Series Mat

(Includes eKO, eKO Lite, and eKO Superlite)

The eKO Series is made from natural tree rubber, a sustainable material with a beautiful feel and grippy texture. Like the PRO Series, eKO mats are also closed-cell so they won’t absorb sweat but they do require a bit more care to stay in good condition.

How to Clean Your eKO Mat:

Because the eKO mat is made from natural rubber, it’s important to clean it gently and correctly:

  • Spray a generous amount of Manduka’s Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore across the entire surface especially any spots where you notice fading or discoloration.

  • Let it sit for about 5 minutes.

  • Then, use a clean, dry cloth to gently wipe it down.

  • Make sure your mat is completely dry before you roll it up or use it again.

What Not to Do:

To avoid damaging your mat:

  • Don’t soak, submerge, or hose it down.

  • Never put it in the bathtub, shower, washing machine, or use a vacuum on it.

  • Avoid direct sunlight natural rubber doesn’t like heat or UV exposure.

  • Don’t use soaps or detergents they can break down the rubber and affect the mat’s performance.

  • The salt scrub method isn’t meant for eKO mats either that one’s just for the PRO Series.

Does the eKO Mat Oxidize?

Yes, just like all-natural rubber products, the eKO mat will eventually change in color and texture over time. This is a natural process called oxidation. But you can slow it down by storing your mat in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.

For best results, wipe your mat with water before each practice and clean it as needed with Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore.

Caring for Your GRP® Series Mat

(Includes GRP Adapt and GRP Adapt Travel)

GRP mats are built for sweat. Their open-cell construction is designed to absorb moisture and deliver unbeatable grip, even during the sweatiest sessions. But that same absorbency means these mats need a little extra TLC when it comes to cleaning.

How to Clean Your GRP Mat:

Because GRP mats are super absorbent, you should never use disinfectants they’ll soak into the mat and can’t be rinsed out, which could affect both performance and hygiene.

Here’s how to clean your GRP mat the right way:

  1. Dampen a clean cloth with water and wring it out so it’s not dripping.

  2. Pump 2–4 pumps of Manduka’s Yoga Mat Wash & Refresh foam onto the cloth.

  3. Press the cloth firmly onto the mat and wipe down the surface, section by section.

  4. Once you’ve covered the entire mat, rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe again to remove any leftover solution.

  5. Use a dry towel to absorb any remaining moisture on the mat.

  6. Hang your mat to dry completely before rolling or storing it.

A Few Quick Tips:

  • Never soak or submerge your GRP mat.

  • Avoid harsh cleaners or disinfectants they can damage the material.

  • Let your mat air dry fully after each use, especially if it's been through a sweaty session.

Taking care of your GRP mat not only keeps it clean it helps maintain that powerful grip you rely on during practice. Treat it well, and it’ll return the favor every time you step on.

Caring for Your Foundation Series Mats

(Includes Manduka X, Begin, and Welcome Mats)

The Foundation Series is all about support and simplicity, perfect for new yogis or those looking for a lighter, easy-to-care-for mat. These mats are made with TPE closed-cell material, which means they don’t absorb moisture making them easy to clean after every practice.

How to Clean Your Begin or Welcome Mat:

  1. After each session, spray down your mat with Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh.

  2. Use a clean cloth to wipe it dry.

  3. Let it air dry completely before rolling or using again.

Need a deeper clean?

  • Spray generously until the mat is visibly wet.

  • Let the cleaner sit for 1–2 minutes.

  • Gently scrub any dirty spots with a clean cloth.

  • Wipe it dry and let it air out before storing.

How to Clean Your Manduka X Mat:

The Manduka X mat has a slightly rougher surface, so cleaning it can be a bit more hands-on:

  1. Spray the entire surface with Mat Wash & Refresh.

  2. Use a damp cloth to wipe it down this helps get into the textured surface.

  3. Apply more spray as needed for extra grip or grime.

  4. Let it dry before rolling or practicing again.

Deeper clean? Follow the same steps as above:

  • Spray generously, let sit for a minute or two, scrub gently, and dry.

A Few Quick Don’ts for All Foundation Mats:

  • Don’t soak or submerge your mat in water.

  • Don’t use a shower, bathtub, or hose to clean it.

  • Avoid direct sunlight or hot storage spots. A cool, dry place is always best.

With just a little post-practice care, your Foundation Series mat will stay clean, fresh, and ready to roll out session after session.

Manduka Mat Care FAQs

Q: What makes Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh better than a homemade mix?

A: It comes down to quality and how it’s made. Sure, both use water and essential oils. But the catch? Water and oil don’t naturally mix. That’s why we use a plant-based solubilizer it blends the ingredients evenly and keeps them from separating. Then we mix everything at a powerful 1700 rpm (your kitchen mixer caps out around 280 rpm). The result? Every spray you use is perfectly balanced no globs of oil, no watery mist, just a fresh, consistent clean.

Q: Why does it matter that you use purified water?

A: Most brands use deionized water, which strips out minerals—but not tiny organic particles. Those little guys can encourage mold growth over time. Many companies fix this by adding biocides (chemicals that kill microbes). At Manduka, we go a step further. Our purified water removes both minerals and microscopic organics, so we don’t need to add harsh chemicals to our formulas.

Q: Will essential oils make my mat slippery?

A: They could if you apply pure oil straight to your mat. But our Mat Wash & Refresh is lightly and evenly blended using cosmetic-grade essential oils. It’s designed for yoga mats, so it leaves a clean scent without the greasy buildup. If you’re using it regularly, there’s very little chance of residue affecting your grip.

Q: How often should I clean my mat?

A: After every session. Even if it doesn’t look dirty, your sweat and skin cells build up and can cause odor and bacteria.

  • Quick clean: Wipe down with Mat Wash & Refresh after each use.

  • Deeper clean: Once a week, spray more thoroughly and scrub areas you touch most.

What about disinfecting?

  • If you're practicing at home and everyone's healthy, once a week is enough.

  • If you're in a studio, disinfect after every class front and back of the mat.

Q: Can I use disinfectant wipes (like Lysol or Clorox)?

A: Not the best choice. Here’s why:

  1. Disinfectants need time usually 4–5 minutes of full surface wetness to work.

  2. Their active ingredients can wear down your mat.

  3. If you do use them, you must rinse your mat thoroughly afterward to avoid skin irritation.

Also, some ingredients like Sodium Hypochlorite (Clorox) and Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (Lysol) are known to irritate or even damage skin. So best to avoid unless absolutely necessary.

Q: Can I disinfect my yoga mat with bleach?

A: No way. Bleach is too harsh it damages your mat and can harm your skin. Stick with gentler, EPA-approved disinfectants like Seventh Generation (and always rinse afterward).

Q: Can I wash my mat in a washing machine?

A: Nope. It may seem like a time-saver, but the agitation and water will damage the mat. Hand-cleaning with a cloth and the right cleaner is your best bet.

Q: My natural rubber mat has white spots is it ruined?

A: Not at all. That’s just oxidation a natural reaction to air and sunlight. It doesn’t affect performance. Use Manduka’s Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore to help bring your mat back to life and protect it from further wear.

Q: What if I don’t use Manduka’s cleaner any safe alternatives?

A: If you go off-brand, we recommend Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi-Surface Spray. Just make sure to:

  • Let it sit for at least 5 minutes.

  • Rinse thoroughly afterward to avoid irritation.

 

⚠️ Note: This works for most mats but NOT the GRP Series, which absorbs moisture. Disinfectants soak in and can’t be cleaned out properly.

 

Q: How do I clean yoga blocks?

A: Simple! Just use Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh. Wipe it on, then dry with a clean cloth.

Q: How should I wash my yogitoes® towels?

Before practice:

  • Wash separately first.

  • Lay dot-side down on your mat. Some people like to lightly dampen the towel under their hands/feet for extra grip.

After practice:

  • Don’t roll it up wet.

  • Machine wash cold with similar colors.

  • Hang dry or tumble on low.

  • Avoid bleach, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, and detergents with softeners these can make your towel slippery.

 

Deep colors may bleed for the first few washes so avoid pairing with light-colored clothing or mats early on.

 

Q: Are your cleaning sprays really all-natural?

A: Yes. Both Mat Wash & Refresh and Natural Yoga Mat Restore use only 100% natural aromatic raw materials, in line with ISO 9235:2013 the top standard in the fragrance industry. We don’t use synthetics, petrochemicals, or solvents like hexane in our process.

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