DIY Natural Yoga Mat Cleaner

Oh yoga. One of my favorite ways to treat myself during the week is with 1-2 relaxing yoga classes. I am lucky that I work at a company that offers lunch time yoga classes twice a week (EVERY company should offer this - such a game changer for my productivity!) and I do my best to take advantage of it.

With that said, I am totally guilty of rolling up my gross mat at the end of class without cleaning it and putting it away until the next class (yep, even after hot yoga classes - I know, so gross). I recently un-rolled my nose told me that this bad habit had to end.

I did some research on natural yoga mat cleaner recipes and just about every source had the same or similar ingredients.

Yoga Mat Cleaner Recipe:

• 3/4 part water (distilled if possible)
• 1/4 part vinegar or witch hazel (I used vinegar because it’s what I had on hand)
• 3-10 drops of essential oils with anti-bacterial properties (I used tea tree and eucalyptus, lavender would also be nice)

I mixed everything in a small spray bottle that stores easily in my yoga mat bag so I can take it with me to future classes. Now I make sure I keep a small towel with me (I use it during the class to keep my hands from slipping when they get sweaty) and after the class I spray down my mat, wipe it with my towel, then take it home.

I also read that sunlight is important for ridding your mat of bacteria - if you have a balcony or some other banister outside of your home it might be a good idea to drape it there after classes to thoroughly air out.

With this yoga mat cleaner I was able to save my favorite mat (weird smells are completely gone!).

All my yogi friends out there, I hope you try it too!