Simple & Effective Ways to Clean a Lululemon Yoga Mat

Remove bacteria, sweat, and odors from your yoga mat with this guide

Co-authored by Devin McSween Reviewed by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann

Last Updated: October 8, 2024 Fact Checked

With regular use, your Lululemon yoga mat can get pretty dirty. It’s important to clean your mat after every use to help extend its lifespan and get rid of dirt and sweat that can grow bacteria. Lululemon recommends cleaning your yoga mat with a damp cloth or natural cleansers like dish soap, vinegar, and baking soda. Keep reading for easy ways to sanitize your yoga mat so it stays in great condition!

How do you clean a Lululemon yoga mat?

Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a bowl. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the soapy water and scrub your yoga mat clean. Alternatively, wipe your mat with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water.

1

Clean your Lululemon yoga mat with water.

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Wipe your yoga mat with a damp cloth after each use. Lululemon recommends just cleaning your mat with water. After using your mat, wet a microfiber cloth with water, squeeze out the excess moisture, and wipe it down.^{[1]
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- Harsh chemical cleaners can damage your mat and cause it to degrade faster, which is why Lululemon recommends using a damp cloth for cleaning.
- Some Lululemon mats, such as The Mat, are made with antimicrobial rubber that repels bacteria and mold on their own.
- Other mats, like The Lightweight Mat, have a closed-cell design that helps keep out moisture and germs.

2

Use dish soap to clean your yoga mat.

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Wet a cloth with dish soap and water and wipe down your mat. If you think your yoga mat needs a deeper clean, Lululemon suggests wiping it down with a natural cleanser, like dish soap, after each use. Simply add several drops of gentle dish soap to a bowl full of warm water. Submerge a soft, microfiber cloth in the soapy water and wring out the excess moisture. Then, gently scrub your mat clean.^{[2]
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- Wipe your mat with a clean, damp cloth or hold it under running water to rinse away any soapy residue.
- Alternatively, mix together the dish soap and water in a spray bottle.
- For a deeper clean, fill your bathtub with water and add several drops of dish soap. Submerge your mat in the soapy water and scrub it with a soft cloth.
- Dish soap is gentle on your rubber mat while also lifting off dirt, grime, and bacteria.^{[3]
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3

Sanitize your yoga mat with vinegar.

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Spray your mat with 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water. White vinegar is a natural cleaner that helps remove dirt, bacteria, and odors from your mat. Simply add 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water into a spray bottle. Spritz your mat all over with the vinegar solution. Then, wipe the cleaner into your mat using a soft, microfiber cloth to sanitize it.^{[4]
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- Use the vinegar solution as your regular cleaner, or whenever you want to deep clean your mat.
- Optional step: Add a few drops of an essential oil that has antimicrobial properties, like tea tree oil or lavender oil, to boost the spray’s cleaning power and counteract the vinegary smell.^{[5]
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- If your mat smells a little vinegary, don’t worry. The vinegar smell disappears after it dries.
- Warning: Vinegar and essential oils can potentially damage your mat, causing it to lose its grip and degrade faster. Use these cleaners sparingly on your mat.^{[6]
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4

Clean your yoga mat with essential oils.

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Spray your mat with water, witch hazel, and essential oils. Combine 1 cup (237 ml) of water and ¼ cup (59 ml) of witch hazel into a spray bottle. Then, add in 5 to 10 drops of tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils. Lightly mist your yoga mat with the essential oil spray. Then, grab a microfiber cloth and wipe down the mat.^{[7]
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- Tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils all have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.^{[8]
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- Witch hazel has antimicrobial properties, helping it fight off bacteria on your yoga mat.^{[9]
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- Warning: Use essential oils on your yoga mat sparingly, as they can potentially damage it.^{[10]
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5

Use baking soda and lemon to clean your yoga mat.

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Spritz your mat with baking soda, lemon juice, and water. Add 1 tsp (6 g) of baking soda and the juice of 1 lemon into a spray bottle. Then, pour in 1 cup (237 ml) of water and mix the ingredients together. Spray your entire yoga mat with the baking soda and lemon juice solution. Then, use a soft, microfiber cloth to wipe the cleaner into the mat.^{[11]
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- Use this spray for regular cleanings or whenever you want to deodorize your mat.
- Baking soda lifts up dirt and gets rid of odors, while lemon juice kills bacteria and gives your mat a refreshing scent.

6

Clean your yoga mat with a yoga mat cleaner.

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Wipe your mat with a yoga mat cleaner after each use. Many yoga mat companies and athletic stores, like Lululemon, sell their own yoga mat cleaners. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how to use the cleaner on your mat.^{[12]
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- Using a commercial yoga mat cleaner typically involves spraying it all over your mat and wiping it off with a soft, microfiber cloth.

7

Allow your yoga mat to air dry after cleaning.

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Let your yoga mat air dry before rolling it up and storing it. Place your yoga mat on a clothes drying rack, or hang it over your shower curtain rod or a chair, to air dry completely. Just keep it out of direct light, as sunlight can damage the rubber and cause the colors to fade.^{[13]
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- Roll up your mat when it’s dry and store it out of direct light until you’re ready to use it again.
- Rolling up and storing your mat while it's still damp can encourage bacteria and mold to grow.
- It can take several hours for your mat to completely dry.

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Tips

It’s generally not recommended to clean yoga mats in the washing machine. Check your Lululemon yoga mat’s care instructions to determine if it’s safe to machine wash before throwing it in your washer.

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To store your yoga mat, roll it up and set it in a cool, dry spot that is out of direct sunlight.

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Cleaning your yoga mat after each use helps remove sweat, dirt, bacteria, and odors. It also helps keep your mat in good condition, which can make it last longer.

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Warnings

Test the cleaner of your choice on a hidden part of your mat before you spray it all over to ensure it doesn’t stain the material.

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Using other cleaners besides plain water can potentially damage your Lululemon yoga mat. Other cleaners might cause the mat to lose its grip and degrade the rubber material more quickly.

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Avoid using chemical-based cleaners, like disinfecting wipes, to clean your Lululemon yoga mat. The chemicals can damage the mat.^{[14]
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