DIY Yoga Mat Eco Cleaner

Giving your mat a little love can be a beautiful ritual that allows you to be a little creative and add a personal touch to your practice. We are frequently contacted by yogis asking for recommendations on the best way to take care of their Mukti Mat. Our rule is to keep it simple, fun, and maintain a toxic free environment for your breath and asana.

Here’s our fav combo for keeping your mat smelling delicious, looking sparkly and feeling good.

To a spray bottle mix the following:

3 parts water

1 part witch hazel or white vinegar

3 drops of your preferred essential oils that contain antibacterial properties such as tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus. Start with just a few drops of oil as a little goes a long way and too much can make the mat a little slippery.

Spray your mat down, allow the solution and then wipe down with a clean dry cloth. This process can be a lovely mindful practice, as you become aware of the aroma, texture and movement in cleaning down the mat. It’s important that your mat is completely dry before you roll it up and store it away, make sure you avoid direct sunlight when drying as this can soften the natural rubber in the mat. We’d love to hear about your favourite combinations of oils and any other lovely touches to share with our readers.

Natural rubber does not like to get wet as it acts like a sponge soaking up the moisture, taking a long time to dry and at times changing the composition of the rubber. If your mat does get wet, make sure you dry it as soon as possible. No one likes to be wet and forgotten in the car and your natural yoga mat feels the same way! If you use the mat in a very sweaty heated class, try placing a towel on top to absorb some of the moisture, as sweat pooling on the surface of the mat can result in staining.