After hours of sweat and hard work on your yoga mat, it gets rather dirty (and might even smell unpleasant). However, cleaning a yoga mat isn’t as simple as spraying it with any old cleaner you have lying around and wiping it down. If you do that, you might damage the mat, causing irreversible damage.
Since nobody wants a slippery yoga mat (it sounds like an injury waiting to happen), it’s essential to clean your mat correctly. There are quite a few different yoga mat brands out there, including Lululemon. The brand of your yoga mat is crucial to consider during the washing process, as not all yoga mats are made equally.
So, if you have a Lululemon yoga mat, here’s how to wash it.
Can Lululemon Yoga Mats Go In The Washing Machine?
While the washing machine might seem like the most convenient way to clean your Lululemon yoga mat, think again. Although you could toss it into the washer, there’s no guarantee that it won’t become damaged. These mats feature a protective lining that could become damaged after a spin in the washing machine.
Considering how pricey these yoga mats can be, it’s best to stay on the safe side and clean the mat using a different method.
What Can I Use To Clean My Lululemon Yoga Mat?
Cleaning your Lululemon yoga mat isn’t tricky and only takes a few minutes once you have the cleaning mixture prepared. You can easily store a package of cleaning mats in your yoga bag or even carry a plastic spray bottle of cleaner for quick and easy cleaning on the go.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to clean a Lululemon yoga mat:
Lululemon Yoga Mat Spray Cleanser
Lululemon offers a specific yoga mat spray cleanser for its product lineup, so if you prefer to stick with a brand-approved cleaner, this is a great option. The product is relatively new to the scene and is available for $14 on Lululemon’s website.
The spray boasts a plant-based formula featuring probiotics and essential oils that effectively clean and deodorize the mat. Using the spray is simple: shake the bottle to mix the product, then spray the entire surface of the mat. Wipe the surface down thoroughly with a dry microfiber cloth.
Leave the mat out to dry completely, then roll it up and store it when it’s fully dry. Lululemon recommends testing the product on the corner of the mat before using it on the entire mat.
Soap And Water
A mixture of soap and water is a great way to clean a grubby mat. Eventually, your mat might lose its stickiness or feel particularly dirty (such as after a hot yoga class). Sometimes, a generic spray might not cut it, so you may want to deep clean the mat.
Here’s what you need:
- Soap (make sure it has no conditioner, castile soap is a good option)
- Warm water
- Clean rag
- Towel
Sometimes, a soak in sudsy, warm water will do the trick for a grubby yoga mat. Start by running a bath (you only need a few inches of water in the bottom of the tub) with soap and warm water.
Toss your yoga mat in the tub, ensuring the entire mat is submerged in the soapy solution. Give the mat ten minutes to soak, then scrub the whole mat with a clean washcloth. Scrub in circular motions to lift any caked in dirt or sweat.
Once you’re done, drain the soapy water from the tub. Rinse the mat with clean water, ensuring you wash away the suds. Dry the mat with a towel, then leave it unrolled to dry completely before rolling it for storage.
Baking Soda And Lemon
If your mat is sporting a few unwelcome stains or an unpleasant smell, try using a baking soda solution. Baking soda offers the perfect amount of abrasion without being enough to damage the mat. Adding lemon juice to the mixture provides acidity to kill bacteria. Bonus: it smells great!
Here’s what materials you’ll need:
- One lemon
- Baking soda
- Water
- Spray bottle (optional)
- Bowl
- Soft cloth
- Towel
Start by squeezing the fresh lemon to extract the juice. Pour the juice into a bowl (or a spray bottle), then add one cup of water and one teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the ingredients together until they combine, then apply them to your yoga mat.
A spray bottle makes application easy, but you can always dip a soft cloth into the mixture and apply it that way. Scrub the solution into the mat, then allow it to sit for a minute or so. Rinse your cloth with clean water, then wipe down the mat to remove any residue.
Dry the mat with a clean towel, then leave it unrolled to dry before storage.
Essential Oils
There are quite a few ways you can go about cleaning your yoga mat with essential oils. You can select your favorite essential oil scent or simply default to one of the most commonly used options. Many folks opt for tea tree oil, which kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Alternatively, you could use peppermint or lavender oil for a pleasant scent. You’ll combine the essential oil with water and white vinegar (which dissolves dirt, grime, and grease) in a spray bottle for quick and easy cleaning.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Essential oil (usually tea tree oil)
- White vinegar
- Water
- Cleaning cloth
- Towel
- Spray bottle
In a spray bottle, mix one part of white vinegar with four parts of water. So, if you add ½ cup of vinegar, add 2 cups water. Add up to 20 drops of tea tree oil (or other essential oil) to the spray bottle. Swirl the bottle to combine the mixture, then spray it over the entire surface of the mat.
Wipe the surface with a soft cleaning cloth, gently scrubbing as needed on problem areas. Dry the mat with a towel as needed, then allow the mat to dry before storage.
Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes
Spray bottles can take up space in an already packed yoga bag, so they might not be ideal for yogis on the go. A pack of yoga cleaning wipes is an easy alternative to the above cleaning methods.
There are several variations of mat cleaning wipes out there, so choose which option works best for you. Some of these wipes are even safe for use on your body (they don’t contain bleach or alcohol)!
While this method is convenient, it might not be the most cost-effective or best way to clean the mat. However, in a pinch, the cleaning wipes are the perfect way to tide your mat over until you can adequately clean the mat with a ready-made cleaning solution (or via a dip in your bathtub).
Why Should I Clean My Yoga Mat?
Cleaning your yoga mat regularly probably isn’t one of your top priorities. However, while it isn’t the most exciting task on your to-do list, it’s best not to skip it. Over time, problems can arise from a lack of cleaning, some worse than others.
Here are a few reasons to maintain a regular mat cleaning schedule:
Prolongs The Life Of The Mat
Lululemon yoga mats aren’t cheap by any stretch of the word. They might not be the priciest option out there in the grand scheme of things, but they certainly aren’t cheap. So, you probably want your mat to last longer than a few uses.
To prolong the life of your Lululemon yoga mat, clean it regularly. This ensures it stays fresh and clean, eliminating any fungus, bacteria, or other germs that may stick around after a sweaty yoga session.
There are plenty of quick and easy cleaning options out there. Even if you just do a quick, cursory clean with a mat wipe, make sure you clean the mat regularly. Ensure you use the proper cleaners, as harsh chemicals can damage the protective lining on the mat.
Better For Your Health
A dirty yoga mat isn’t great for our physical or mental health, especially if we spend lots of time on this mat. Yoga mats that go for lengthy amounts of time without cleaning can harbor bacteria and fungi, some of which may be detrimental to our health.
While we are immune to some bacteria and fungi, others can irritate our bodies. When sweat, dirt, and grime festers on the mat without being cleaned, these not-so-friendly bacteria and fungus may begin building a home on our mats. So, keep unwanted guests at bay by maintaining a proper cleaning schedule.
Minimizes The Need For Deep Cleaning
Without regular cleaning, your yoga mat will build up stains, grime, sweat, and dirt. As mentioned, this isn’t great for your health. On top of that, you’ll probably have to use elbow grease when you finally clean it to remove all the gunk.
Just like most other things in life (especially cleaning projects), it’s usually best to stay on top of things than let them sit until they get worse.
Better For Everyone
A clean yoga mat is excellent on all fronts, even for your fellow yogis. When you pick a spot in your yoga class, the last thing you want is a peculiar, unpleasant smell wafting your way. Perhaps you’ve been cleaning your yoga mat regularly, but the neighboring yogi hasn’t cleaned the mat in a while.
Now, you get to sit downwind of this mat for the entire class – not a particularly pleasant experience. So, remember to clean your yoga mat for the sake of yourself and everyone around you. Add a few drops of essential oil or lemon juice to your cleaner for a touch of freshness in your day.
How Often Should I Clean My Yoga Mat?
Regular cleaning is essential for a well-kept yoga mat. Generally, it’s advised you clean your mat after each class, although you don’t need to deep clean the mat. If you sweat profusely during class, such as during a hot yoga session, it’s even more important to wipe the mat down.
Of course, if you’re at home and move through a restorative yoga flow where you don’t sweat much, you might not need to wipe the mat down. That said, regular cleaning is good, so it’s not a bad habit to wipe it down after each use.
For daily cleaning, a quick wipe down with a mat cleaner will do – simply wipe the entire mat with a mat cleaner, then leave it unrolled until it dries completely. After it dries, roll it up and store it wherever you’d like.
You should deep clean your mat at least once a month (warm water and dish soap are great for deep cleaning). Again, make sure you let the mat dry completely before storing it, as putting it away wet could allow mold and odors to develop.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Does My Lululemon Yoga Mat Smell?
Many times, folks notice a funky smell when they first buy their Lululemon yoga mat. This isn’t because there’s something wrong with it – the culprit lies in the composition of the mat. Lululemon yoga mats are made of 61 percent natural rubber.
When you first buy your mat, you might smell the rubbery composition. Over time, the smell will dissipate until you don’t even notice it anymore. To speed up the process, leave the mat unrolled in a well-ventilated area and out of direct sunlight.
If the mat suddenly smells terrible after you’ve been using it for a while, there could be smelly bacteria and fungi causing the issue. Clean the mat thoroughly using the essential oil method or soak it in soapy water. Make sure you let the mat dry completely before putting it away, as rolling it before it’s dry can create the perfect setting for mold (which can smell bad, too).
How Do I Wash A Reversible Lululemon Yoga Mat?
Washing a reversible yoga mat is as simple as washing a regular yoga mat. You can use any of the above methods – soak it in a bathtub, use an essential oil mixture, spray it down with baking soda and lemon juice, use ready-made cleaner, or wipe it with mat wipes.
The care process isn’t different than a regular Lululemon yoga mat unless the label says otherwise.
