Are yoga mats machine washable? 4 Types That Are Safe

5/5 - (1 vote)

Are yoga mats machine washable? Discover 6 types that are safe for machine washing and learn how to care for them to keep your mat clean and durable.

Introduction

Yoga mats are required accessories that offer support to people staging a variety of asanas. However, keeping the surface clean can be very difficult at some times. To clarify things further, a typical question yoga practitioners ask is whether yoga mats are washer-machine friendly. As we shall see, the answer depends on the type of mat being referred to and the material it is made up of.

Are yoga mats machine washable?

Yoga mats can be cleaned in a washing machine, but not all. This also depends on the type of yoga mat material and the manufacturer’s instructions. Microfiber or certain washable types of mats can best be washed using a cold water machine wash and preferably with minimal spin with no soap.

However, some mats should not be washed by a washing machine because of the potential harm the machine can cause to the mat itself; these include natural rubber or PVC mats. This alternative should therefore always be checked with the product label or the manufacturer.

Types of Yoga Mats

Here is a list of various types of yoga mats:

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) Yoga Mats

Description: Generally, PVC mats are very rugged, and lightweight, and can be seen in his basic to standard type of yoga mat.

Are yoga mats machine washable? 4 Types That Are Safe

Machine Washability: As for PVC, it is hardly advised that a person’s mat is washed through the washing machine, as the material can degrade or deteriorate.

Cleaning Advice: Clean with a damp cloth and a mild detergent if the surface is dirty. Do not use water or other agents that may dissolve or subject the surface to a brutal wash to weaken it.

Thermoplastic elastomer Yoga Mats

Description: TPE mats are reusable, recyclable, and harmonious with the environment with no toxic emissions and are light with a closed-cell construction.

Machine Washability: This material should not be washed with a washing machine. Mechanical stirring is more destructive to the material as well as its form of organization.

Cleaning Advice: For cleaning, one ought to use a soft type of sponge and warm water that contains a very diluted soapy solution. Let it air dry flat, preferably out of strong sunlight.

Natural Rubber Yoga Mats

Description: These mats are made from natural rubber, are very dense, hold well, and are environmentally friendly.

Machine Washability: This cannot be washed with a washing machine because rubber, when wet, becomes heavy and distorted.

Cleaning Advice: Rub it with a slightly moistened cloth or use a mat cleaner meant for natural rubber. Do not water too much or immerse: all of them imply that to keep the plants healthy, one has to avoid watering the plants too much or submerging them.

Cork Yoga Mats

Description: Cork mats contain a cork upper layer with a rubber or thermoplastic elastomer base for superior friction and microbiocidal features.

Are yoga mats machine washable? 4 Types That Are Safe

Machine Washability: It is not good because cork can degrade, and it will not have that natural look again that it once had.

Cleaning Advice: They advised rinsing the cork surface with water and cleaning it gently with a cloth. All that is required for tougher stains is a diluted vinegar solution.

Cotton Yoga Rugs

Description: The previous yoga rug material is cotton, which provides good wicking and gas exchange.

Machine Washability: Indeed, most of the cotton mats used in homes can be washed with a washing machine. It’s best to use a gentle cycle with cold water only.

Cleaning Advice: Avoid using harsh detergents. Dry naturally or see in a dryer gently using low heat.

Microfiber Yoga Mats

Description: Favorite among many, microfiber mats can be used alongside a rubber one, and they are ideal for hot yoga since they help in absorbing sweat.

Are yoga mats machine washable? 4 Types That Are Safe

Machine Washability: That layer, microfiber, may be washable, but it is also recommended to check the instructions of the washing machine manufacturer. Rubber or TPE bases should not be washed with a washing machine.

Cleaning Advice: Machine wash or hand scrub the microfiber surface and clean the metal base with a moist cloth.

Conclusion

Concisely speaking, it is consequently considerably dependent on the type of fabric material utilized and the recommendations of the firm that produced the yoga mat. Even then, some mats are very strong to withstand the force of machine washing, but many require soft hand washing techniques to remain as effective as possible for as long as possible. To have your mat in perfect condition for your practice, a simple cleaning will help to maintain it and thus will help in vigorous maintenance.

Is it okay to wash yoga mats in the washing machine?

If you have a query as to whether to wash some yoga mats you can do so by a washing machine but ensure it is recommended by the manufacturers.

Are all yoga mats washable?

Not all mats are washable, but you can usually find specific instructions from the manufacturers when purchasing one. Substances such as natural rubber and PVC need to be cleaned by hand, not using washing machines.

How can I wash my yoga mat?

You can wash it by hand or in cold water with a light soap. The safety of cleaning a yoga mat in a washing machine depends on its fabric.

Leave a Comment