One thing that has always stood out to me about a dirty yoga mat is that both sides of the mat really need to be cleaned. We know the top gets sweat and body oils on it, but the bottom of the mat goes to yoga class, the park, the gym, and then back into your living room. No thanks! If you are ready to learn how to clean a Lululemon yoga mat, I’ll show you my favorite method and a few alternatives so you can find something in your pantry that will help you get this done today.
How To Clean a Lululemon Yoga Mat
The best way to clean the Lululemon yoga mat is to create a spray solution with one part vinegar and four parts water and put it into a spray bottle. Adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil can help with odor and even bacteria fighting. Spray the solution on the mat, wipe it clean, and let it air dry.
Methods for Cleaning a Lululemon Yoga Mat
Cleaning a Lululemon yoga mat is not complicated, but there are a few mistakes you can make (drying in the direct sun, scrubbing too hard, using harsh chemicals, etc.) that can damage the mat and decrease its longevity. If you want to have a clean Lululemon yoga mat each time you
practice yoga, here are my best methods.
Method 1: Essential Oils (Tea Tree)
What You Will Need: small spray bottle, water, vinegar, tea tree oil, clean cloth
The essential oils cleaning method using tea tree oil helps to eliminate odors and keep your yoga mat in great shape. If you use more natural cleaners, the chance of the mat holding up over time is considerably higher. I make this spray and keep it on hand to use after a yoga class.
- Create a solution in a spray bottle with three parts water, one part vinegar, and a few drops of essential oils. You can use tea tree oil or even lavender if you prefer the smell.
- Coat the mat with the spray, let it sit for up to five minutes, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Allow your yoga mat to air dry fully before rolling it up; keep out of direct sunlight while it dries so that the sun does not break down the material on the mat.
One thing worth mentioning here is that many people just spray this essential oil mixture on the yoga mat and don’t wipe it off. That can work, but if your mat is dirty, it helps to at least use that cloth to get the yoga mat clean.
You won’t need to scrub because the cleaning solution works for you, but a quick wipe of the surface has always made me feel better about using the mat the next time.
Caution: Some pet owners are concerned with the use of tea tree oil. Don’t concern yourself so much with what essential oil you use in this cleaning solution; the vinegar and water are what really help to clean the yoga mat. If you want to use lavender instead, you can certainly do that. Keeping your pets safe is paramount to keeping your yoga mat clean.
Method 2: Baking Soda and Lemon Juice
What You Will Need: baking soda, water, lemon, spray bottle
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, and I love it as a cleaning solution on a Lululemon reversible mat. As I said, I don’t love bringing my mat back into my house to use after it’s been on the floor in other places; the baking soda and lemon juice solution has just enough harshness to be a go-to solution to clean Lululemon yoga mats.
- Create a cleaning solution with three parts water, one part baking soda, and a few drops of lemon, and put it into a spray bottle.
- Mix the solution around in the spray bottle before spraying it on the mat.
- Spray the cleaning solution all over the mat (work on one side at a time).
- Let the baking soda and lemon juice sit for about 10 minutes.
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Allow the yoga mat to dry completely before rolling it back up to take it to the yoga studio.
I’m often asked how much of the baking soda and water solution is needed when spraying the mat. I certainly don’t see any reason to soak the Lululemon mat for this type of daily or weekly cleaning. However, you do want to cover enough of the surface that odor-causing bacteria is eradicated.
Method 3: Mild Dish Soap
What You Will Need: bathtub, water, Dawn dish soap, washing rag
The dish soap method is what I use for deep cleaning. If you find that my other Lululemon yoga mat cleaner suggestions are good for mild cleaning after yoga practice, this mild dish soap method will be more of a once-a-month deep cleaning solution.
- Take a bowl or container and mix warm water with dish soap so that you have a soapy solution to use on your yoga mat.
- Place the yoga mat in the shower or bathtub as it will get more wet with this cleaning method than others.
- I do not submerge the mat in water. Instead, I use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe down the entire mat with my dish soap and water solution.
- Before allowing the mat to completely air dry, I will wipe the mat with a clean, dry cloth to help the drying process.
- Place the yoga mat in a well-ventilated area to help it air dry before rolling the mat up.
If you had a particularly sweaty yoga session, this mild dish soap method should help you feel better about your yoga mat being ready for your next class. The more you submerge the mat, the longer it takes to dry, so try to just stick to cleaning the outside surfaces.
Method 4: Yoga Mat Cleaning Wipes
What You Will Need: Tidy yoga mat cleaning wipes
The Tidy Mat Cleaning Wipes is a mild wipe that has lavender infused to improve the smell. I’ll caution you here that if you use a commercial-type wipe often on your yoga mat, you could break it down faster than you would like. Some Lululemon stores recommend a natural yoga mat spray only or dish soap and water.
The Tidy Mat Cleaning wipes make the process very simple, take out a wipe and use it until you have a clean yoga mat. The lavender in the formula is said to be a better solution for those that have cats and dogs that are sensitive to tea tree oil.
Again, if you have a good quality yoga mat like the Lululemon, just be smart about the cleaning process and using anything other than natural products.
Additional Information and Tips
When I started looking up solutions for cleaning a yoga mat regularly, I found some great tips I wanted to share with you. I think that one of the most important things to remember here is that cleaning yoga mats needs to be simple and quick because it’s something you should be doing after every session.
Importance of Cleaning a Yoga Mat
There are two main reasons to ensure your yoga mat is clean. The first is to get rid of bacteria and odors that could be lingering in your mat. The second is to ensure that your mat is clean, receptive, and slightly sticky so you can do the yoga poses that you want to do.
We all know that feeling when the mat gets just a little slippery, and you can’t quite use it like you once did. A good cleaning should help.
In addition, I find that it’s easier to stay healthy when doing regular cleaning on any of my exercise equipment. Keeping the mat fresh is important because your face and hands are close to the yoga mat many times during your session.
Specific Features of Lululemon Yoga Mats That Impact Cleaning
The Lululemon yoga mats are made with an FSC-certified natural rubber coating on the bottom and a grippy polyurethane coating on the top. The top layer is designed to absorb moisture, impacting the cleaning process and how you use this mat.
The Lululemon yoga mats also have an antimicrobial agent made out of silver nanoparticles applied to them to help fight bacteria, prevent mold and mildew, and to naturally keep odors away. However, you can always use baking soda when the mat starts to smell.
With a washable yoga mat that absorbs water, you want to make sure you are not submerging the mat completely. There is no reason to soak this, but in order to release your sweat and body oils from the mat itself, you should be getting it wet and wiping it down.
If you take a wet yoga mat and put it out in the sun to dry, the FSC-certified natural rubber base could deteriorate. You will first notice it is fading, and eventually, it will break down. To avoid having to buy a new yoga mat, just be smart about where you let your mat dry.
How Often Should I Clean A Lululemon Yoga Mat?
Clean your Lululemon Yoga mat after each use. Using the baking soda or essential oil cleaning solution is the best choice for repeated use as it is not harsh or harmful to the yoga mat. Many yoga studios will have a spray that you can use on your mat, but I encourage you to at least ask and see what is in the yoga mat spray.
If you are not thrilled with the ingredients, make your own and bring it. Or, try these yoga mat cleaning wipes by Tidy.
Top Tips To Prolong the Lifespan of a Lululemon Yoga Mat
Here are my top tips for ensuring that you can keep your yoga mat clean but also have it to enjoy for many years.
- Don’t submerge your yoga mat completely in water or put it in the washing machine; surface clean only to prolong the life of the mat.
- When using a cleaning cloth, you will only need to gently scrub, even when doing a deep clean.
- You may want to put a towel underneath when cleaning to protect the surfaces in your home while you clean.
- For tough stains, try using a baking soda and water paste placed directly over the stain.
- Lululemon mats should not be dried in the sun, always allow them to air dry completely after cleaning.
- Never roll a yoga mat up until it is completely dry; when you store a wet mat, you may find that it gets moldy or retains a smell; most Lululemon mats take about one hour to dry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about cleaning a Lululemon yoga mat.
Can I use commercial cleaners on my Lululemon yoga mat?
Some Lululemon yoga mat owners use Tidy Mat Yoga Cleaner to clean the mat’s surface after a yoga session. But, a cleaning mixture with essential oils, white vinegar, baking soda, or even mild dish soap should be just as effective as the commercial cleaning solution.
Can I use the same cleaning methods for other types of yoga mats?
Most yoga mats do quite well with the vinegar, water, and essential oil cleaning method. This method does not leave behind a slippery residue, and the entire surface can be wiped clean in a matter of about a minute. For the best cleaning outcome, check the specific materials from which your yoga mat is made.
What should I avoid when cleaning my Lululemon yoga mat?
Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia when cleaning your Lululemon yoga mat. Some ready-made cleaning solutions are too strong and can deteriorate the mats at a fast pace. Also, avoid drying the Lululemon mat in direct sunlight.
Can I put my Lululemon yoga mat in the washing machine?
Do not put your Lululemon yoga mat in the washing machine. The rubber base will get damaged in the washing machine.
How do I make my Lululemon yoga mat sticky again?
If you want your Lululemon yoga mat to be sticky again for your next yoga session, use one part vinegar, three parts water, and a few drops of essential oils to clean the yoga mat.
