
I feel like so many of my posts have started out with…
“On Facebook, I asked you about x,y, and z and you gave me 5 gazillion suggestions.”
Well, you’ve done it again. Do you charge a fee for this service? Maybe we can put it on my tab… =)
This time, I pestered you for tips on homemade or store-bought yoga mat cleaners.
It turns out there are a million and one ways to clean a yoga mat. Or maybe more. What began as an innocent journey into making my own mat cleaner, turned into a ton of reading and researching online.
There are as many different options as there are opinions on what to use. If you make your own mat cleaner, chances are you have your favourite mix. I think a good place to start when figuring out which mat cleaner will work for you is to check with your mat brand and see what they recommend. The “right” cleaning methods and ingredients can vary a lot from mat to mat.
Of course, I didn’t take my own advice! I started by making my cleaner first, only to find out later from a discussion with my mat brand- Lululemon – that they don’t recommend using essential oils on their mats because it can clog the pores of the mat.
Do as I say, not as I do!
However, I’m in the market for a new mat because my mat is cracking all over the place. The Manduka pro mat (or maybe the lite?) is high up on my list right now since it has a lifetime guarantee and is rated very well. I’m still not sure though.
I went on Manduka’s Facebook page and asked them if essentials oils would clog the pores of their mats.
Manduka: “Well, our mats don’t exactly have pores. We use a closed-cell technology on both sides of the PRO series mats and on the practice side (the one with the sea grass texture) of the eKO mats. Which means, essential oils after a cleaning should be just fine! A few drops in your cleanser is a great way to do both – that’s how we make our organic Manduka Mat Washes.”
good to know! I suggest checking with your mat brand to be sure.

This is what I used to make my mat cleaner:
- White vinegar
- purified water
- tea tree oil
- essential oil

I did a lot of reading online about various homemade cleaners and most people suggest using white vinegar. I used 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water, but the mixtures can vary a lot. You can also use witch hazel or lemon juice, but I find white vinegar to be more cost effective. If you are concerned about using vinegar on your mat, you can try using alcohol-free witch hazel which I’ve heard also works.
Here’s my yoga mat spray “recipe”
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 3 cups filtered water
- 1 tsp tea tree oil
- Essential oil (about 10-30 drops depending preference) peppermint, lavender, and thyme are nice, but use anything you like!
1. Place all ingredients into a large spray bottle and shake before each use.
2. Spray down your mat on one side and let it sit for a few minutes. With a damp cloth, wipe it down. Finally, wipe it with a dry towel or simply let it air dry.
3. Repeat on other side.
Thanks to ehow, 3 Healthy Chicks, and Eco Yogini for the tips.
Obviously this isn’t the only solution for cleaning your mat and I will probably play around with different methods at some point!
If you want to give your mat a super deep clean, you can place it in a bathtub with hot water (just an inch over your mat- not a full tub), some vinegar (maybe 1 cup?), and essential oil and let it soak for at least an hour. You can then rub it down on both sides with a soft cloth while it’s in the tub. Rinse it and then hang it on a clothing rack until completely air dry (note: this can often take 48 hours to dry completely, so be warned).
Also be careful with using liquid soap in your cleaner because it can get into the mat and suds can seep out while you practice. Some people get away with just adding a couple drops to a big bottle of water though, so I really think it depends on how much you add.

As for me, I’m still loving the classes that I’ve been doing since my knee injury:
- Hot yoga (in various styles) 1-2x week
- Hot Pilates 1x week
- Yoga with weights 1x week
- Yoga Spinn (45 mins spin class followed by 15 mins yoga!) 2x week
- Walking
It’s a wonderful balance of cardio, strength, and flexibility (and might I add, my spiritual practice and emotional well-being). I feel stronger than I think I ever have and I look forward to the variety each day.

My knee has been feeling great for the past couple weeks, so yesterday I finally decided to go for my first run in a month. It went very well and I had zero pain, although admittedly, I felt a bit out of my running groove. Regardless, it felt so good to be out there running again, even if it was just a shorter one. My plan right now is to slooowly build up my running, while still enjoying my other classes for variety. Injuries are frustrating, but sometimes they force us to try new things and discover a passion in other forms of exercise. For that, I’m very grateful.
Hi Angela, I’ve read this entire thread and am dying of curiosity…. what did you buy, and how do you like it? Please provide a quick update… inquiring minds want to know. Enjoy the weekend! Susan
Do you mean a mat or cleaner? :) I didnt end up buying either yet! hah
Yes, I meant a mat…. thanks for the update.
I’m definitely going to use this on my mat, I usually just use vinegar and water but I love the tea tree idea:)
Healthnut Nutrition
Great information on clean yoga mat by naturally. I agree that each yoga mat need different methods on washing it. But maybe some of them can used same way
Great info, however, as a certified aromatherapist I have to tell you that the essential oil brands you have pictured above are likely not therapeutic grade (meaning, they may not have the anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, etc. properties you expect them to).
Essential oils can be a great tool. However, the essential oil industry is unfortunately highly unregulated. Only 2% of the oils on the market that claim to be “pure” or “100% natural” actually are. The ones you can buy at run of the mill health food stores typically are not. I can tell just by smelling the testers, but that ability comes from years of using the good stuff (I have tried “aromaforce” before… not desert essence, but I assume it would be similar).
Seek out oils that have the following info printed on the bottle: the latin name of the plant, the part of the plant used, the country of origin, and some kind of certification (though these are prohibitively expensive sometimes) . You may have to order them online. It took me a while to find a reputable source when I was living in Ontario. The following companies in canada i know to be good: ‘Quintessence aromatics’ (Saskatoon), and ‘True Essence’ (Calgary). They both ship anywhere within Canada (and True Essence is sold in Kingston, ON for sure, probably a few other places). Otherwise you could try ordering from ‘Young living’ (Online).
Good luck!
Thanks for the info Lori!
I love yoga and I prefer to wipe my mat down after practice. I previously used mostly water with a few drops of tea tree oil and sprayed my mat. But the tea tree oil eroded the rubber. I noticed you have tea tree oil in your mixture. Is the vinegar harsh and causing slight erosion as well? I just got a brand new Eco Manduka Purple mat and love it. I’ve only scrubbed it with soap and water when it was brand new. Any suggestions for future erosion free homemade spray bottle mix? Thanks, Amy :)
I have the Manuka Pro Mat and I love it! I use it 5-6 times a week and feel that’s it’s worth every penny:)
Just what I was looking for! I’m a beginner in yoga, and I use so many home-made lotions and potions to clean around my home, but when it comes to yoga mats, I’m a little clueless. Thanks so much for sharing, I can’t wait to get started! :)
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Do you use distilled white vinegar or no?
Yes I think it is. :)
Hi,
How long does this mat spray recipe last?
Thanks.
Search benefact! its an all natural cleaner made of of thyme oil. We use it at my yoga studio to clean the mats and we also clean the studio/bathrooms with it.
Hi! Just found your blog and love it. Thank you for your tip with this self made mat cleaner. I will try to establish this in one of the studios ;)
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m definitely gonna have to try this recipe. How was using the vinegar on your mat?
I love using vinegar to clean my yoga mats!
Xo,
Rachel Ashley
http;//fashionablyliving.com
Thanks for sharing, I’m definitely going to try this; I’ve just been taking mine in the shower with me; soaking in shower gel and rinsing so this should be a simpler alternative
i love this blog , will be at the top of my listed blog
Thanks
I’m renting a mat from a studio right now, but planning to buy my own soon. Any tips on which mat to choose (Lululemon vs. Manduka or other alternatives)?
Anyways – saving this on my Pinterest
Loved this post! Vinegar is like liquid magic and should be a staple in every household! :)
You should do a “Yoga Routine” post! Would love all yogis to take a look here:
thepinksoul.com/2014/01/my-yoga-routine.html
Much love <3
N
Hi! I noticed the essential oils you used in the blog post above. Just curious if you happen to know if Young Living Essential oils are cruelty free/vegan. Any thoughts on this is greatly appreciated! ~Ashley
For my spray I used witch hazel (also an antibacterial), tea tree oil and lavender oil. The lavender is not only an antibacterial, but it also smells amazing and helps promote relaxation which is exactly what I want to do when I’m on the yoga mat.
Best regards.
Stoke Newington Carpet Cleaners Ltd.