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DIY Cleaning: Make Your Own Yoga Mat Spray Wash

Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold
Cambria Bold is the Managing Editor of Cubby, and one of Apartment Therapy Media’s first full-time editors from way back when. She was the founding Design and Lifestyle Editor for Kitchn and the Managing Editor for Apartment Therapy’s green living site, Re-Nest (RIP). After a few years offline and then working elsewhere, she’s back to share ideas about design, kids, and family life. It’s helpful that she now has two little kids and lots of thoughts about all those things. She lives with said kids and their father in St. Paul, MN.
updated May 8, 2019
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While practicing yoga this morning, we realized (with a bit of embarrassment) that it had been awhile since we’d cleaned or wiped down my mat. For a deep cleaning, warm water and mild soap works, but what we really need is a daily spray we can use to wipe down my mat after every use. We know there are “yoga mat washes” out there we can purchase, but honestly, $10 seems like a bit of a rip-off. So, we set out to find a DIY recipe for our own all-natural mat cleaner:

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Here are two easy and inexpensive recipes:

Recipe #1:

  • Three drops of tea tree oil
  • Two drops of peppermint oil
  • Two drops of lavender oil
  • Distilled water

Recipe #2
This is for a stronger antibacterial/antifungal spray.

  • 1 part warm water with 3 parts white vinegar
  • Add 8-12 drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, lemongrass, lavender, mint, or tea tree oil

For both solutions, mix thoroughly and place the solution in a spray bottle.

Spray Cleaning Instructions:

1. Spray your yoga mat cleaner liberally over the surface of your mat. If your mat seems especially dirty, let the cleanser sit and soak in a bit before cleaning it off.

2. Wipe the yoga mat with a wet cloth or sponge. When the cleanser has been thoroughly removed, rub the mat down with a soft dry cloth, like a small towel or washcloth. Now repeat on the other side.

3. Allow your mat to air dry, which should take only about 5 to 10 minutes. If it takes longer than this, try rubbing your mat down more with the towel to remove the excess water and speed up the drying time.

Via: eHow and Wai Lana Yoga

(Images: 1. Ashtanga Sadhana; 2. flickr member Kerrie Longo licensed under Creative Commons; )

Originally published 2009-12-10 – CB

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