If you’re anything like us… your cork yoga mat gets MORE than a little sweaty after a long session (especially if it’s hot yoga).

And like anything else in our homes – it collects dirt, dust, and stains over time.

Sure, cork yoga mats are basically self-cleaning (more  – but feel free to sanitize it now and then. Plus, not everyone’s mats are made from cork (so it helps to have a few cleaning tricks up your sleeve).

In this article, we promote two different methods for cleaning a yoga mat – and offer several additional tips for long-term care. Our focus is on how to clean a cork yoga mat specifically, but this also applies to other yoga accessories too.

How to Clean a Yoga Mat

You’ll hear many different methods for cleaning cork yoga mats. In this section, we cover the 2 best that we alternate between on occasion.

Standard Cleaning

For a quick and easy cleaning method that excludes any chemicals, we recommend the standard cleaning. All you need is cold water and a soft washcloth or sponge. Same goes for yoga kits and props for starters.

Softness is important, because an abrasive cleaning tool will carve into your cork yoga mat and create uncomfortable indentations. The purpose of choosing the standard cleaning method, simplicity aside, is to avoid damaging your mat.

• To begin, wet your towel or sponge and wring it out a bit. Cork repels water, so a soaking wet cleaning tool will only make a mess.
• Gently, but thoroughly, rub down your mat on both sides, and on the sides themselves.
• Once you’ve finished, hang your mat to air dry.
• After the cork is completely dry, roll it up so that it doesn’t form wrinkles, and store it away in a dry place.

That’s how to clean your cork yoga mat with just water and a washcloth – the safest and easiest cleaning method. Not only will it keep your must-have essentials clean, it will also make you feel cleaner since you’ll have a fresh mat to train on.

Deep Cleaning

Sometimes, water and a washcloth isn’t enough.

For a deeper clean (one that will remove stains from your cork yoga mat and thoroughly cleanse it of sweat), there’s a DIY method you can use. This concoction contains all natural ingredients – so it is much safer to use on your mat than off-the-shelf chemical cleaners.

Here’s how to deep clean a cork yoga mat at home…

First, grab a spray bottle and a soft washcloth or sponge. You will use these tools to apply the cleaning mixture to your mat without scratching its surface. Next, you’ll need to fill the spray bottle with the following ingredients:

• Water – ¾ of the spray bottle
• White distilled vinegar or witch hazel – ¼ of the spray bottle
• Your favorite essential oil – 5-10 drops (depending on how powerful a scent you prefer)

Close the spray bottle and shake it to create your DIY cleansing mixture. Then, spray it onto your cork yoga mat, coating its surface.

If you notice certain areas of the mat are especially dirty, such as where you normally place your hands, knees, and feet, allow the mixture to sit for a minute or two. This will allow the essential oils and distilled white vinegar or witch hazel to thoroughly disinfect the dirtiest areas of your mat.

Now, dampen your washcloth or sponge with cool water and gently rub the mixture into the surface of your mat. Keep a bowl or bucket nearby so you can rinse the mixture from your rag as you clean. After the mixture is rinsed away entirely, hang your mat up to dry.

How Often Should You Clean a Cork Yoga Mat?

We advocate cleaning your cork yoga mat with water (standard cleaning) once every 2-6 weeks. You should perform a deeper cleaning when necessary – such as if your mat is stained.

• If you practice hot yoga, consider rinsing or wiping it down once every 2-5 sessions.
• Technically you can go much longer without any mold, mildew or smelly build-up – but many yogis prefer every 2-5 sessions.
• Even though the DIY cleansing mixture you learned about contains natural ingredients, using them on your mat too often can cause fading over time.

We also urge you to clean any new mats you buy before using them. Simply put, you don’t know where they’ve been, who had their hands on them, or what chemicals were used to preserve them. Wash your new mat with water, or even deep clean it with your favorite essential oils, so that it’s fresh and ready to go when you need it.

Are Cork Yoga Mats Self-Cleaning?

Yes – to a decent extent. You should still clean and sanitize every once in a while… but cork is naturally anti-microbial. It’s able to resist mold and mildew build-up (while repelling dust and dirt too). However, most yogis and instructors still like to cleanse it here and there.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Cork Yoga Mat

In addition to cleaning your cork yoga mat regularly, here are some tips for how to take care of your cork yoga mat in other ways.

Use Your Mat Frequently

Small signs of age & wear are perfectly okay for your cork yoga mat – as long as it’s from frequent usage and not harmful chemical cleaners.

The more you use your cork yoga mat, the more personalized it becomes.

• Indentations helpfully form in the areas where your hands, knees, and feet press into the mat, increasing its grip.
• The overall texture of the mat changes too, only subtly, but enough to make a difference during long poses.
• Yoga mats tend to be slippery at first, even ones made from the best materials like organic cork.
• However, within 1-2 weeks of regular use, your mat will begin to lose that slipperiness and become “sticky,” or easier to grip.

Refer to the previous section on how to clean a cork yoga mat to ensure you’re causing wear and tear productively – and not just damaging your new mat

Cork yoga mats are good for hot yoga too – especially with extra grip during sweaty sessions.

Roll Up Your Mat After Use

By rolling up your mat with the cork side facing outward, you avoid creasing or wrinkling the mat before your next session. It’ll be more comfortable and leave the cork yoga mat durable this way.

Store Your Mat in a Dry Place

If you own a cork yoga mat, mold isn’t really a concern since the material repels water. With most other materials, you don’t have this luxury. Hanging your mat in a dry area, away from any humidifiers or air conditioning units, is the easiest way to prolong its lifespan.

Buy a High Quality Mat

It’s a lot easier to take care of a yoga mat that’s well-made, than to maintain a cheap one.

And you might be wondering – are cork yoga mats worth it? The good news is they’ll last you 1-2 years, even with daily usage (whereas most yoga mats last around 6-12 months). The difference in lifespan is due to the durable, closed-cell molecular structure of cork – which can withstand far more strain than other materials found in standard mats.

• Another benefit to using an organic cork yoga mat is that it practically cleans itself.
• Thanks to an all-natural, antibacterial, antimicrobial substance contained within cork, called Suberin, cork yoga mats stave off small particles and toxins.
• They also repel water, preventing mold and mildew from forming. As a result, your cork yoga mat will not get dirty or smelly easily.

In conclusion, by choosing to shop yoga supplies and equipment over standard, cheaply made alternatives, you can spend more time practicing yoga, and less time scouring the internet for tips about “how to clean a cork yoga mat”.