It’s an unfortunate reality that the more you use your yoga mat, the more regularly you need to clean your mat and yoga props.
The yoga mat sprays and wipes recommend below are made from natural ingredients and include organic essential oils to keep your mind as fresh as your mat.
We found that the best yoga mat cleaner is the Manduka Mat Wash Spray, especially as it works well for a quick refresh, and for an occasional deeper clean especially if you prefer sweatier sessions.
All the Best Gear
Top Gear: Manduka Mat Wash Spray
Best Mat Cleaner Kit: Luna Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray Kit
Best for Deep Clean: Asutra Yoga Mat Cleaner
Best Yoga Mat Wipes: Jo-Sha Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes
Reviews and Recommendations
Top Gear: Manduka Mat Wash Spray
Best yoga mat cleaner
The Manduka Mat Wash Spray is an all-purpose cleaner with aromatic organic essential oils specially formulated to keep your yoga mat clean and smelling fresh.
The cleaning solution is eco-friendly and biodegradable, being free of chemicals, alcohol and phosphate, yet still removes residue and grime even if you enjoy the hottest vinyasa sessions.
It is made from all-natural ingredients of water, organic essential oils, chelating agent (phosphate-free), vegetable oil-based surfactant.
The spray comes in several fragrances, including lavender, citrus, gingergrass and lemongrass, though some people find it can also have a vinegary smell.
The yoga mat wash is suitable for use after each practice. To use it regularly, spray about 20 pumps directly onto the mat surface and wipe it down with a damp cloth. Let the mat air dry before you use it again or roll it up.
For an occasional, deeper clean, spray about 50 pumps of the cleaner onto the surface of the mat and let it soak for 5 minutes. Scrub the surface with a damp cloth to remove dirt and stains, then wipe the mat down with a clean cloth and let it air dry.
Yogis with a natural rubber yoga mat should use the Manduka Natural Rubber Mat Wash, which is a vinegar-based cleaner specifically designed to clean and restore natural rubber mats.
The Manduka Mat Wash Spray comes in a 227ml or 8oz spray bottle, but there is also a travel size of 56ml or 2oz, and a great-value refill bottle of 909ml or 32oz. All the Manduka mat wash bottles are recyclable.
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Pros
+ Suits daily or deep clean
+ Kills bacteria and removes grime
+ Organic essential oils
+ Great value
Cons
– Slight vinegar smell
Tech and Specs
Scents: Lavender, gingergrass, lemongrass
Size: 227ml or 8oz
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Best Mat Cleaner Kit: Luna Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray Kit
Useful cleaner and towel combination
The Luna Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray Kit comes with a bottle of mat cleanser full of essential oils and a microfibre cleaning towel, so you’ll be ready to freshen up your mat or give it a deep clean.
The organic ingredients of water, essential oils, coconut, olive oil, jojoba clean germs, dust, bacteria and sweat off all types of yoga mats, and disinfect them without using any chemicals that might harm your mat, the environment or you.
The cleaning formula is eco-friendly and biodegradable, being free of synthetic and artificial ingredients, and alcohol and processed detergents. This means the solution won’t dry out your mat, as alcohol-based cleaners can over time.
The Peaceful Lavender fragrance has a relaxing lavender essential oil, while the Spring Meadows scent has rejuvenating essential oils blend of geranium, bergamot, and rosemary. Both also include organic oils of coconut, olive, and jojoba.
We found that both varieties have a natural, fresh smell that isn’t too overwhelming.
The microfibre cleaning towel can cling to the mat as you wipe it down, but otherwise is ideal for removing excess cleaner residue.
Luna keeps the positive vibes flowing by not testing the Luna Yoga Mat Cleaner Spray on animals and donating 10% of all profits to philanthropic efforts.
Pros
+ Removes germs and grime
+ Organic essential oils
+ Microfibre towel included
Cons
– Thick solution may leave streaks
Tech and Specs
Scents: Lavender, or blend of geranium, bergamot, and rosemary
Size: 118ml or 4oz
Best for Deep Clean: Asutra Yoga Mat Cleaner
Popular spray and towel
The Asutra Yoga Mat Cleaner is an all-natural biodegradable cleaner that will keep your mat and yoga props clean and smelling fresh. It also happens to be easily the most popular mat cleaner on Amazon.
The yoga mat spray is made with natural ingredients and organic essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree, to give your yoga mat a light scent and your mind a dose of aromatherapy. The ingredients also include water, coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, witch hazel, hemp seed oil, tea tree extract.
It is suitable for all mats and sensitive skin, and won’t leave a slippery residue or oily streaks on your mat or props.
The non-toxic solution is infused with natural castile soap and tea tree essential oil to give your mat a deep detox, keep it germ-free and help it last longer.
It is quite concentrated, so to use it you only need to spray 3 pumps onto a damp cloth like the towel included, wipe the mat clean then let it air dry.
The Asutra Yoga Mat Cleaner spray bottle and microfibre towel that it comes with are small enough to fit in your yoga bag or carrier, so you’re ready to disinfect your mat before you practice or after class.
Pros
+ Concentrated solution works well
+ Organic essential oils
+ Several scents to choose from
+ Microfibre towel included
Cons
– Some people find scents too strong
Tech and Specs
Scents: Lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, citrus, peppermint, sweet rose, unscented
Size: 118ml or 4oz
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Best Yoga Mat Wipes: Jo-Sha Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes
Quick and convenient cleaner
The Jo-Sha Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes make it easy and convenient to clean your mat, yoga props and other fitness equipment, and to freshen your feet and hands before you practice.
Made from natural ingredients, the biodegradable wipes gently clean, disinfect and refresh your mat. These non-toxic wipes do not contain any alcohol, bleach or other harsh chemicals, so won’t remove a sticky, non-slip surface on your mat.
The wipes are infused with a soothing essential oil and scent, and come in the choice of lavender, eucalyptus, tangerine, peppermint or tea tree oil. The ingredients also include water, aloe vera, vitamin E, citric acid, polysorbate 20, optiphen.
The essential oils also encourage healing aromatherapy – to invigorate, stimulate, focus or calm your mind and body – but have a scent that is subtle enough to avoid disturbing fellow yogis practicing nearby.
The solution dries quickly and evaporates completely on your mat, so you can use the wipes then step right onto it to begin your home session or yoga class.
The wipes are especially useful – and hygienic – if you’re using a studio’s mat for a yoga class and want to give it a quick clean before you start.
You can buy the wipes in a variety of sizes, including a re-sealable bag of 20 individually wrapped wipes, and a sticker-top dispenser pack with 30 wipes.
All size packs of the Jo-Sha Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes will fit neatly in most yoga mat bags, or you can carry an individually wrapped wipe in your purse if you prefer to travel light.
Pros
+ Disinfects and freshens mats
+ Organic essential oils
+ Soothing, subtle scents
Cons
– Not suited to deep clean
Tech and Specs
Scents: Lavender, eucalyptus, tangerine, peppermint, tea tree oil
Sizes: Individually wrapped single wipes, or re-sealable pack of 30 wipes
First published: 25 February 2020