Easy Non-Toxic Yoga Mat Cleaner Recipe

How to Clean Your Yoga Mat: A Simple, Non-Toxic DIY Cleaner Recipe

Yoga mats are always there for us during our practice and often accompany us on our travels. While they may not appear dirty right away, that doesn’t mean they aren’t! My dog Looki loves stepping on my yoga mat and, more often than not, stretching into the perfect downward-facing dog pose. Of course, this always leaves behind a few dirty paw prints…

Whether you practice yoga at home, in a studio, on the road, or out in nature, it is essential to keep your yoga mat clean. Not only does it contribute to a more pleasant practice, but maintaining your mat is also an important part of taking care of your yoga and your overall well-being.

Why Clean Your Yoga Mat?

Yoga is an incredibly grounding and mindful practice, and a clean mat contributes to that mindfulness. Taking care of your yoga mat is an extension of taking care of yourself! Plus, there’s something wonderful about starting your yoga session with the fresh, calming aroma of lavender and the subtle, sharp scent of tea tree lingering from your mat.

Given that we are constantly exposed to toxic chemicals in everyday life, I prefer to use non-toxic methods for cleaning my yoga mat. I teach weekly yoga classes for women in the city near our farm, and I’ve developed my own easy, non-toxic yoga mat cleaner recipe to ensure our mats are fresh and clean before each class.

The Best Non-Toxic DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner Recipe

This simple recipe requires just a few ingredients and can be used for cleaning your yoga mat as well as other surfaces like kitchen counters, tabletops, and bathroom areas. I like to make at least a liter at a time so I have enough for a couple of weeks. It’s light, not greasy, smells amazing, and, most importantly, it’s completely non-toxic!

Here’s what you’ll need to create your own non-toxic yoga mat cleaner:

Ingredients for Non-Toxic Yoga Mat Cleaner

• 1 liter of purified water

• Apple cider vinegar or plain white vingear

• Tea tree essential oil

• Lavender essential oil

• Orange essential oil

Supplies Needed:

• A pitcher for mixing

• A spray bottle for storage

• An extra container for back-stock

• A long wooden spoon (wood preferred for stirring)

• An immersion blender (optional)

How to Make Non-Toxic Yoga Mat Cleaner

The ingredients are simple, but getting the right ratio is important. You want the essential oils to be effective but not overpowering. We also want enough vinegar to provide antibacterial and antifungal properties without leaving a strong vinegar scent.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill your mixing pitcher with 1 liter of purified water.

2. Add tea tree essential oil to the water, counting the drops carefully. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it’s important to add the right amount.

3. Add lavender essential oil in the same manner. Lavender is calming and has mild antibacterial properties, adding a pleasant fragrance to your yoga mat cleaner.

4. Add orange essential oil the same way, attentively counting the drops as they go into the pitcher of water. Orange essential oil is a go-to for DIY cleaning products because of its high content of the natural terpene limonene.

5. Pour in the apple cider or white vinegar, making sure to use the correct amount.

To blend the ingredients, stir with a long wooden spoon until well combined. If you want a more emulsified mixture, use an immersion blender to fully integrate the oils, vinegar, and water.

1. Transfer the solution to your spray bottle using the pitcher. Once the bottle is full, store any remaining cleaner in an extra container for future use.

Why You’ll Love This DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

• Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly: Safe for you, your mat, and the environment.

• Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients, you can make your own yoga mat cleaner anytime.

• Multi-Purpose: Great for cleaning not just your yoga mat, but other household surfaces as well.

• Affordable: Save money by making your own yoga mat cleaner instead of buying expensive store-bought solutions.

Conclusion

Now you have a simple, non-toxic yoga mat cleaner that is both effective and safe for the environment. It’s easy to make, smells great, and works wonders on your yoga mat—helping keep your practice space clean and hygienic. Don’t forget to bookmark this recipe so you can always have it on hand, or share it with a friend who could use a quick and easy way to clean their yoga mat.