Yoga is an amazing way to center yourself. It’s a calming activity that helps you focus on the present, teaches you discipline and technique, and allows your mind (and body) to explore its potential.
But let’s be real: Practicing yoga can be gross. As much as it may promote cleanliness in spirit, sweat and grime are part of the deal. When you’re down-dogging or stretching it out on your mat, chances are things are going to get…well, sweaty down there. This is why it’s important to keep your yoga mat clean!
How We Selected the Best Yoga Mat Cleaners
We reviewed the top 36 yoga mat cleaners and chose our top 17 based on customer reviews, ingredients, and brand reputation. These 17 cleaners made it onto our list of contenders for best yoga mat cleaner.
After testing the top 10 yoga mat cleaners on the market, we found that these products scored best in effectiveness and ease of use:
- Method Yoga Mat Cleaner
- Manduka Natural Rubber Mat Wash
- Shakti Veda Spray Down Yoga Mat Spray
- Yogitoes Solution for Cleaning Towels & Mats
What to Look for in a Yoga Mat Cleaner
They don’t call it “hot yoga” for nothing. Whether you’re a veteran yogi or just starting out, you’ve probably noticed by now that your mat tends to absorb various odors and stains over time. Whether you’re dripping sweat or there’s a random drop of coffee on the mat, it’s best to clean the surface regularly.
You’ll want to remove any grime that could potentially mess with your grip during poses, plus anything else that might be transferred onto your skin and clothing. There are plenty of ways you can tackle cleaning tasks like these, but using a dedicated yoga mat cleaner is typically the most effective (and easiest) approach.
You’ll find some DIY solutions out there, too—but it’s worth noting these require different ingredients for different types of mats, so read up on all options before trying one at home. If your mat is made from a more delicate material (for example: natural rubber), steer clear of harsh chemicals like bleach or heavy-duty disinfectants and opt for something milder instead.
1. Best Overall: Jade Yoga Plant Based Yoga Mat Wash
This plant-based cleaner is made with natural ingredients, including essential oils and botanical extracts like tea tree oil, aloe vera, and eucalyptus. It’s also free of any kind of alcohol or antiseptic materials like bleach, ammonia, or phenol (an ingredient in many commonly used cleaning agents).
The product itself comes in a pump bottle so you can easily spray it directly onto your mat as needed.
Jade Yoga Mat Wash also has a pleasant scent that leaves your yoga area smelling fresh without being overwhelming—and the best part is that there’s no need to rinse the mat after using this cleaner.
2. Best Budget: Gaiam Yoga Mat Wash
Using this cleaning spray is easy-peasy. All you need to do is spray it on and wipe it off with a cotton cloth, then let your mat air dry. The formula is vegan, organic, and made with essential oils to keep your mat smelling good without being toxic (since you’re going to be sweating on it). Plus, the price point of $5 per bottle can’t be beat!
3. Best Wipes: Herban Essentials Assorted Bag
These natural wipes are a good value for money because they contain essential oils, disinfect and eliminate odors. You can use them on any surface, which makes this an ideal travel product. It’s all-natural to boot. And because it’s non-rinse, you don’t need to worry about leaving behind a sticky residue.
Reviewers are beyond enthusiastic about these wipes: “I love these,” says one reviewer who appreciates the lemon scent and effervescent cleaning power, and another who calls them “seriously the best/only thing that cleans my yoga mat.” “They smell wonderful!” says another reviewer who can attest to their effectiveness as an antibacterial cleaner for makeup brushes and yoga mats alike. One reviewer even uses them on her hands after swimming class instead of drying off with germy paper towels. A word of caution: if you’re sensitive to strong smells, you might want to skip these wipes (or keep them away from your face while using).
4. Best Spray: Manduka Botanical Disinfecting Cleaner
Looking for the best yoga mat cleaner spray? Manduka Botanical Disinfecting Cleaner is here to keep sweat and grime at bay. Simply spray on your mat after class, wipe with a towel, and go about your day. No rinsing required! This all-natural disinfectant is made from botanical ingredients like tea tree oil and aloe vera, meaning it not only cleans but also keeps your mat fresh and smelling great. It’s nontoxic, gentle on skin, and safe to use on linens too!
5. Best Two-Pack: ASUTRA Natural & Organic Yoga Mat Cleaner, 2-pack
ASUTRA’s Natural Yoga Mat Cleaner is one of the few sprays on the market that’s USDA certified organic. It’s made with a blend of essential oils, including tea tree oil and bergamot, which are known for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. Other beneficial ingredients include lavender and eucalyptus essential oils as well as coconut cleansers. This spray also contains natural preservatives so it won’t go bad in between uses. Its light, refreshing scent lingers after application but isn’t overpowering.
The cleaner comes in an 8-ounce bottle that doesn’t take up much space, but you’ll likely go through it fairly quickly since you need to spritz both sides of your mat after each use to keep it sanitary and fresh. The product is biodegradable so you can rest assured that any residue left behind on your mat or anywhere else will break down naturally over time without harming the environment (or your pets). It does not contain alcohol, ammonia, or bleach so it won’t damage your mat or any other yoga gear it may come into contact with. Most importantly for those who own multiple types of exercise gear: this spray works on foam rollers, Pilates balls, resistance bands—you name it!
6. Most Versatile: Wipex Natural Gym & Fitness Equipment Wipes
- The wipes are made with all-natural ingredients
- They’re safe for use on a variety of gym surfaces and accessories, such as yoga mats, weights, and fitness balls
- The wipes have a fresh scent to them.
If your gym bag is overflowing with a bunch of different gear and you’re looking for something versatile enough to do the job on any of it, then the Wipex Natural Gym & Fitness Equipment Wipes will work great. Made with all-natural ingredients including citric acid, they’re not only biodegradable but also effective at cleaning up bacteria from your gear. On top of that, they’ll leave behind a fresh scent too.
7. Best Cruelty-Free: Muse Bath Apothecary Yoga Ritual Yoga Mat Cleaner, 2-Pack
The Muse Bath Apothecary Yoga Ritual Yoga Mat Cleaner comes in a handy two-pack. It contains natural essential oils that give off a pleasant scent, and it’s cruelty-free. The spray top makes the cleaner easy to apply. The bottle is an ideal size for travel, although it’s not recommended for vinyl mats.
8. Best with Essential Oils: Mind Over Lather Yoga Mat Cleaner, Eucalyptus & Tea Tree
Essential oils are natural plant extracts, and have been used for many years for their health benefits. They have antibacterial properties that make them great to use on surfaces you come into contact with regularly, like yoga mats. They’re also a good alternative to using harsh chemicals found in many other cleaning products, so they are a good choice if you want to keep your yoga mat clean without exposing yourself or the environment to potentially harmful ingredients. However, essential oils can be very strong and should not be used directly on skin or ingested; always dilute them before application!
If you’re looking for something with all the benefits of an essential oil-based cleaner but in a more convenient form factor, look no further than Mind Over Lather’s Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Yoga Mat Cleaner. The spray is made from an all-natural blend of water and essential oils (eucalyptus and tea tree), which means there’s no need to wipe it down after use — just spray it on your mat then let dry! Plus this formula smells great!
To keep your mat in good condition and not expose yourself to bacteria or germs, it’s important to do regular maintenance on it
Once you’ve got your mat, the next step is buying a yoga mat cleaner to keep it in like-new condition. Most people don’t realize that they’re supposed to clean their mats (and just how much bacteria and grime gathers on them), so a refresher might be in order: Keeping your yoga mat clean is essential for both hygienic reasons and for the longevity of your mat.
The best cleaners will remove sweat, oil, dirt, and other buildup from your hands and feet that accumulate during hot yoga or other sweaty practices. You’ll also want one with ingredients that are non-toxic and free from chemicals that could irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction—things like alcohol or bleach can dry out the surface of your yoga mat and make it more prone to flaking or cracking.
If you don’t have time to do a full cleaning each day, at least give it a quick wipe down after class with an antibacterial wipe or spray cleaner before rolling up your mat; this will keep it fresh until you can give it an actual wash at home!
