But you’re free to keep your yoga mat from getting smelly and grimy by cleaning it regularly.

Here’s everything you should probably know about how to clean a yoga mat.

Want more cleaning and organizing tips?

yoga mat hanging on a fence

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Shake to mix and evenly distribute.

Once the cleaned side is bone dry, flip it over and repeat the previous steps.

Pay particular attention to the areas used most often for your hands and feet.

items for cleaning a yoga mat

The Spruce / Zorica Lakonic

Use a gentle touch to avoid damage to the mat.

Drain and Rinse

After cleaning both sides, drain away the soapy water.

Fill the tub with fresh water for rinsing.

pouring detergent into a bathtub

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Gently lift the mat up and down in the fresh water to remove any soapy residue.

Lay the mat on a large, absorbent towel like abeach towel.

Roll the mat and towel together to absorb the water.

submerging the yoga mat in the tub

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Never twist or wring a yoga mat.

This will cause warping, wrinkles, or rips and tears.

Mist the entire surface of the mat so that it is visibly wet.

scrubbing the yoga mat in the tub

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Do not wipe away the sanitizing solution.

Hang to Dry

After sanitizing, the mat should be hung to dry.

Drape over an indoor drying rack or use clothespins to hang on anoutdoor line.

rinsing the yoga mat

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

A pants hanger can also be used for hanging but may leave marks on the mat.

The high heat and tumbling action can damage a yoga mat.

Do not use a yoga mat until it has dried completely.

rolling the yoga mat in a towel

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Trapped moisture could leave the mat slippery or cause damage to the floor underneath the mat.

Can You Wash a Yoga Mat in the Washing Machine?

All yoga mats will last longer if gently hand washed.

sanitizing the yoga mat

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley

Tips to Keep Your Yoga Mat Clean Longer

Yes, yoga mats need to be cleaned regularly.

An unclean yoga mat can collect also fungus and bacteria.

Household Cleaning & Sanitizing,Centers of Disease Control and Prevention

airing out the yoga mat to dry

The Spruce / Sarah Crowley