Yoga Mat Care: A Guide On How To Clean And Maintain Your Mat Safely

Not all yoga mats are made the same — and that’s why it’s important to understand what kind of mat you have before you start cleaning it. Different materials need different kinds of care, especially when it comes to deep cleaning.

Here’s a quick guide to help you clean your Manduka mat the right way:

PRO Series

(Includes: PRO, PROlite, PRO Travel)
These mats are made from a closed-cell material, which means they don’t absorb moisture or sweat. Cleaning is simple — you just need to wipe down the surface, and you’re good to go.

eKO® Series

(Includes: eKO, eKO Lite, eKO Superlite)
Made from natural rubber and also closed-cell, these mats are easy to clean like the PRO series. But they do need a bit more drying time after cleaning to keep them in good shape.

GRP® Series

(Includes: GRP, GRP Lite, Adapt)
These mats use open-cell PU and rubber, designed to absorb moisture and give you a solid grip — even during the sweatiest classes. Because they soak things in, they need more careful, thorough cleaning to keep them fresh and functioning properly.

Foundation Series

(Includes: Manduka X Mats, Begin Mats)
Made from TPE closed-cell material, these mats won’t soak in sweat, making them super easy to clean with a simple surface wipe.

Knowing what your mat is made of helps you choose the right cleaning method — so your mat stays in top condition and supports your practice for years to come.

YOGA MAT WASH AND REFRESH

Why You’ll Love It:

• 🌿 Naturally cleans and freshens your mat after every use

• 🌼 Infused with essential oils for a subtle, long-lasting scent

• 🧘♀️ Safe for all mat materials — use it on any Manduka mat

• 💧 Non-toxic and non-irritating — gentle on skin, pet-friendly too

Formulated to be extra effective, this spray helps remove surface dirt and odors without affecting your mat’s grip or performance. The smart spray nozzle delivers more coverage with less effort, making post-practice cleanup quick and easy.

Keep it in your yoga bag or by your mat — a few spritzes after practice, and your mat will stay fresh, clean, and always ready for your next session.

A: it’s all about the ingredients and how we blend them.

While it’s true that both Manduka’s cleaner and many DIY recipes start with water and essential oils, the difference is in the science behind how they come together. Water and oil don’t naturally mix well — you’ve probably seen oils float to the top of homemade sprays. That’s why we include a bio-based solubilizer, which helps evenly blend our high-quality, cosmetic-grade essential oils into purified water and keep them blended.

Plus, we mix everything in an industrial mixer at 1700 RPM (for comparison, a home mixer usually tops out at around 280 RPM). That intense mixing ensures every spray you use has the perfect, consistent balance — no separating, no floating oils, just a fresh, effective clean every time.

A: Not all water is created equal especially when it comes to cleaning products.

Many companies use deionized water because it’s a fast and cheap way to strip out minerals. But here’s the catch: it doesn’t remove tiny organic particles, which can lead to things like mold growth over time. To deal with that, most brands add biocides (chemical preservatives) to keep things shelf-stable.

At Manduka, we take a different route. We go the extra mile to fully purify our water, removing not just minerals but also those microscopic organic particles. It’s a more expensive process, but it means we can skip the harsh chemicals — and still deliver a cleaner that’s safe, natural, and effective.

A: That’s a fair concern  not with Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh.

Most yoga mats, including ours, are made with closed-cell materials, which means they don’t absorb liquids. So yes, if you were to apply essential oil directly to the mat’s surface, it could become slippery.

But here’s where our formula makes a difference: we thoroughly mix the essential oils with purified water and a natural solubilizer to create a fine, even mist. That way, your mat gets a light, balanced coating — not oily residue.

Plus, we use cosmetic-grade, floral-based essential oils that are less likely to build up over time, helping maintain your mat’s grip and performance without compromising safety.

A: Every time you step on your mat, your skin, sweat, and natural oils are left behind — and over time, that creates the perfect environment for bacteria (and those not-so-lovely odors).

To keep your mat fresh and clean, we recommend using Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh after every practice. It helps reduce buildup and keeps odors in check.

For a bit of extra care, give your mat a deeper refresh once a week — use more solution and gently scrub the areas your hands and feet touch the most.

As for thorough deep cleaning? Only do it when it’s really needed. If you're practicing at home and everyone is healthy, there’s no need to scrub your mat top to bottom every day. But if you’re practicing in a studio or sharing space, it’s a good idea to clean both sides of your mat after class to help keep things germ-free.

A: It might seem like a quick fix, but disinfecting wipes aren’t ideal for yoga mats — and here’s why:

First, for a disinfectant to actually work, the surface needs to stay visibly wet for several minutes (usually 4 to 5). That’s tough to do with just a quick wipe, especially on a large surface like your mat.

Second, the active ingredients in most disinfectants — the ones that kill bacteria and viruses — can actually break down your mat’s material over time, affecting its texture, grip, and lifespan.

And lastly, those harsh chemicals can linger on the surface. Unless you thoroughly rinse and wipe down your mat afterward, you risk skin irritation or allergic reactions, especially during prolonged contact like in a yoga session.

So while wipes are convenient, they’re not the safest or most effective choice for mat care. A natural cleaner like Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh keeps your mat clean without compromising your health or your mat’s performance.

A: It’s best to avoid using these wipes on your yoga mat, and here’s why:

For disinfectants like Lysol or Clorox wipes to work effectively, the entire surface needs to stay visibly wet for 4 to 5 minutes. That’s pretty hard to do with just a quick wipe over a large mat.

Plus, the active ingredients in these wipes — like Sodium Hypochlorite in Clorox (which the EPA rates as highly toxic to skin and eyes) and Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride in Lysol (known to be highly irritating) — can damage your mat’s material over time.

If you do decide to use them, you must rinse and thoroughly wipe down your mat afterward to remove as much residue as possible. Otherwise, prolonged skin contact with these harsh chemicals can cause mild to severe allergic reactions.

Bottom line: these wipes aren’t the safest or most mat-friendly option. Natural, gentle cleaners designed for yoga mats are a much better choice for keeping your mat clean and healthy.

A: It’s important to follow the instructions on the disinfectant’s label to know exactly how long it needs to sit on the surface — usually longer than you might expect, often around 4 to 5 minutes. This contact time lets the disinfectant do its job properly.

After that, make sure to rinse your mat thoroughly to remove any leftover chemicals.

Also, a key point: disinfectants should only be used on non-porous mats. If your mat is designed to absorb moisture — like Manduka’s GRP® Series or mats meant for hot yoga avoid using disinfectants altogether, since the liquid can soak in and be impossible to fully clean out.

A: We strongly do NOT recommend using bleach on your mat. It’s one of the harshest cleaners and can damage both your mat and irritate your skin.

Instead, opt for EPA-approved disinfectants mentioned earlier, and always follow the instructions carefully — including rinsing your mat thoroughly afterward.

Avoid solvent-based products or any harsh chemicals, as these can break down the material and shorten your mat’s lifespan.

A: Don’t worry! Those white spots are usually just a sign of oxidation, which happens when natural rubber is exposed to oxygen and sunlight over time. To prevent this, try not to leave your mat in direct sunlight for long periods.

If your mat does develop discoloration or white spots, it’s not ruined. You can bring it back to life using Manduka’s specially formulated mat cleanser designed to restore your mat to its natural state.

A: For everyday care, simply use Manduka’s Yoga Mat Refresh spray—no soaking or submerging needed—to keep your mat fresh and clean.

About once a month, give your eKO® mat a deeper treatment with Manduka’s Natural Rubber Yoga Mat Restore. Apply a generous amount over the entire surface, focusing on any discolored spots. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then gently wipe the mat dry with a clean cloth before rolling it up or using it.

Avoid cleaning methods like garden hoses, bathtubs, showers, washing machines, or vacuum cleaners, as these can seriously damage your mat. Also, keep your mat out of direct sunlight for long periods, and steer clear of soaps—these can hurt your mat’s grip and durability. Lastly, don’t try the salt cleaning method on eKO® mats; it’s not designed for that material.

To keep your PRO mat in top shape, wipe it down after every practice with Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh. Simply spray the whole surface, then use a clean cloth to wipe it dry before rolling or using.

Avoid soaking, showering, or submerging your mat in water, and store it somewhere cool and dry.

A: Since GRP® mats are designed to absorb moisture, it’s important not to use disinfectants on them—these liquids soak in and can’t be fully cleaned out, which may damage your mat.

For daily care, keep your GRP® mat fresh by wiping it down after every practice with Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh. Then, use a clean cloth to dry it before rolling it up or using it again.

A: To keep your Begin mat in great shape, wipe it down after every practice using Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh. Spray the entire surface, then wipe it dry with a clean cloth before rolling or using.

Avoid soaking, showering, or submerging your mat in water, and store it in a cool, dry place.

For a deeper clean:
Spray the mat generously until it’s visibly wet. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes, then gently scrub any dirty or stained spots with a clean cloth. Make sure to dry your mat completely before rolling it up or using it again.

A: To keep your Manduka X mat fresh and clean, spray the entire surface with Manduka’s Mat Wash & Refresh. Because of its rough texture, you might find it easier to wipe the mat down with a damp cloth. Add more spray as needed. Be sure to dry the mat before rolling or using it.

Avoid soaking, showering, or submerging your mat in water, and store it in a cool, dry place.

For a deeper clean:
Spray the mat generously until it’s visibly wet. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes, then gently scrub any dirty or stained areas with a clean cloth. Dry your mat thoroughly before rolling or using it again.

A: Yes! The fragrances in both products are made with 100% natural aromatic raw materials, meeting the highest industry standard, ISO 9235:2013.

This means the scents come directly from plants using natural methods like distillation and extraction — no synthetic oils, no chemically modified ingredients, and no petrochemical solvents involved. In fact, the Natural Products Association has even stricter rules, banning things like hexane used in some extraction processes.

So you can trust these products to be truly natural and gentle for you and your mat.