First things first, your yoga mat is dirty. Sorry to break it to you, but it is. Just how dirty are yoga mats? Well, scientists arent exactly researching this, but your personal yoga mat, if youre not cleaning it often, could contain up to four times more bacteria than a loaner at a studio, according to a report from ABC13 News in Houston, Texas, which tasked an environmental testing agency to investigate.

Now, more than ever, its super important to clean the surfaces you come in contact with regularly, and that includes your home gym equipment like workout and yoga mats. The rule is, the sweatier or dirtier your mat gets, the more important it is to clean it after every practice, says Lauren Porat, yoga instructor and founder of YogaSpark .

How To Clean Yoga Mats

Its a two-step process to clean yoga mats properly. Each step serves its own purpose, so its important to not skip either of 'em.

To disinfect yoga mats

Killing germs, bacteria, and fungusincluding the kind that causes athletes foot, plantar warts, and ringworm, which, FYI, could all be living on your yoga matis key to sanitizing its surface. At a studio, this is what the spray bottles and towels or antibacterial wipes are for.

At home, you can disinfect yoga mats with the same solution most studios use: Combine water with white vinegar and tea tree oil, both of which have antibacterial properties. You should use equal parts H2O and vinegar, plus a healthy dash of tea tree oil.

If you dont feel comfortable DIY-ing your own cleaning concoction, you can buy a pre-made yoga mat cleaning spray online instead.

Make sure to clean both sides of your yoga mat, and let the solution set on it long enough for the mat to air dry (or for however long the maker of your spray suggests) before cleaning it.

How often you need to disinfect your yoga mat depends on how often you practice at home, but Craig Stiff, head of hardgoods for the yoga mat company Manduka, recommends disinfecting at least once a week if no one around you is sick. If you are going back to a studio, then you should disinfect your mat before and after each use.

To clean yoga mats

To really take care of sweat, dirt, and grime buildup, which happens over time, you'll want to wash your mat regularly. How often should you clean your yoga mat? Thats up to you, but Stiff suggests thinking about your mat the same way you do your sheets: "Some people wash their sheets multiple times a week and some wait, well, way too long," he says.

A good general rule of thumb is that you should clean your yoga mat after every other practice (or every practice if it gets super sweaty).

You can clean your yoga mat the same way you wash your hands with water and dish soap. Porat recommends putting your mat in the bathtub or shower and giving it a good scrub and rinse. "Let it air dry and then roll it up," she saysshe also suggests investing in a yoga towel to help keep your mat from getting so dirty/sweaty in the first place.

"I recommend finding a chair or other bar outside that you can throw it over to get maximum air flow, but if the weather is too cold, indoors will doyou just want to create maximum surface area," she adds. Also, avoid hanging your mat in the shower or over the bathtub (unless you won't be showering soon) since the humidity will hinder the drying process. Follow these simple tips and your mat will nama-stay (had to) ick free and ready for your asana practice.

Can I clean a yoga mat in a washing machine?

Good question! Technically, some brands, like Yellow Willow , for example, make yoga mats that are actually machine washable. Just know that while the thought of tossing your mat in the wash along with your yoga pants sounds tempting, you should be sure to read the instructions first and do exactly as described by the manufacturer (or else, your mat may come out in less-than-usable shape).

Common no-nos include turning on the spin or tumble cycle and adding harsh detergentsand definitely don't put it in the dryer.

Can I use Clorox wipes on my yoga mat?

If you can even find Clorox wipes for sale right now, consider yourself lucky! But you should save them for surfaces other than your yoga mat as they contain harsh chemicals and you can do the same type of disinfecting with less-abrasive options.

If you do opt to disinfect your yoga mat with Clorox wipes, Stiff says you should plan to clean it after youve waited long enough for their chemicals to kill germs. "In order for a disinfectant to be effective, the entire surface needs to be visibly wet for a certain period of time, he says. (You should be able to find this info on the label of the disinfectant wipes you're using.) After waiting the appropriate time, you absolutely must rinse your mat off and wipe it clean to remove as much of the product as possible.

This way, you can get rid of the germs, but you leave less time for chemicals to sit and potentially break down or affect your matyou also reduce the chance of them causing skin irritation next time you use it.