yoga mat

A stinky yoga mat can be distracting to your practice and is also a sign that your mat is carrying dirt and bacteria that might be dangerous to your health.

Try making your own natural mat cleaner with essential oils to safely and effectively clean your yoga mat. Aromatherapist Charlynn Avery explains how below.

An essential oil blend is not only a natural alternative but also ideal for making a mat spray. Additionally, when you make your own blend, you don’t have to worry about exposure to harsh chemicals or toxic fragrances.

This is especially important for yourself or others with sensitivities to fragrances and chemicals.

Certain essential oils are used in cleaners and home recipes for their ability to cleanse and purify. Just start with a base of distilled water, and add your favorites of these oils. Here are a few examples:

  • Tea Tree is perfect for safe mat cleaning. It brings a bit of a medicinal aroma to a blend. Tea tree combines well with other oils, so blend away!
  • Lemon or Sweet Orange do a wonderful job of cleaning surfaces. However, these oils should be diluted to protect your mat’s surface.
  • Lavender can be found in a variety of natural cleaning products for both aroma and effect. It makes a great addition to mat spray blends and can carry the effects of savasana home with you after class.

Below is an example of a yoga mat spray recipe combining three great essential oils. Try this one on your own mat, or get creative and swap out some different oils of your choosing.

Purifying Yoga Mat Spray

  • 8 drops tea tree essential oil
  • 8 drops lavender essential oil
  • 8 drops sweet orange essential oil
  • 4 ounces water
  • 1 spray bottle

Directions: Place water and essential oils in spray bottle. Shake bottle. Spray mat and wipe clean.