Best yoga mat cleaners to shop in 2023 UK

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Because there's more than just sweat lurking in there.

Since the very first lockdown (ughh, remember that?) our yoga mats have put in a real shift. But as home workouts have ramped up, so too has that sweaty, feet-mingled-with-rubber stench we only used to associate with shared mats at the gym. Even if you’re still able to get through a child's pose without holding your breath, it's probably high time you gave your mat a wipe down.

Got a flow in five and in a rush? We've got you. These are the best yoga mat cleaners to shop now. Keep scrolling for the full list.

Before you grab the kitchen sponge and attack your beautiful mat, take note: we have it on good authority that it's worth shopping for products that are fit for purpose. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about yoga mat sprays, including how to clean your mat and the best ones to buy.

Sweat, bacteria, fungus - all of these can fester on your mat which - in case you needed reminding - is in frequent proximity to your face. Your mat is also a pretty nifty incubator for skin infections like athlete's foot and ringworm, which we’re guessing you could do without. And if Covid's left you more of a germophobe than you were previously, cleaning your yoga mat is a no-brainer.

But it's not just about hygiene. The right product can also help keep your favourite mat at its best, maintaining grip and extending its lifespan. And with many yoga mat sprays laced with zen-inducing scents to complement your practice, what's not to love?

Before you chuck your kit in the washing machine in disgust, read our guide on how to keep your yoga mat clean:

Obviously check the instructions, as some yoga mat cleaners work a little differently and might not require any wiping. Only cheaper, plastic mats will withstand scrubbing, so proceed with care.

The ideal product for you really depends on what your yoga mat is made of:

After that it's really down to personal preference - what scents will uplift your practice, do you have any allergies, would you prefer a natural or cruelty-free spray?

Whatever you decide, just make sure your yoga mat cleaner has gentle antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, for example from witch hazel, or diluted essential oils like tea tree and rosemary.

So, ready to revive your yoga mat? We put the best yoga mat cleaners to the test on a range of different materials - read on for our edit of the best ones available to buy now.

Have you ever done an aromatherapy yoga class? If not, pause reading for a sec and quickly book one - or you could just buy one of these gorgeously scented yoga mat sprays. An utter treat for the senses, these essential oil-powered cleaners not only smell divine but also picked up a surprising amount of dirt when we tested them out. Tea tree oil takes care of any nasties, while extra essential oils gives your next practice some added oomph. And at 50ml, they're small enough to chuck in your gym bag and take to the studio.

We tried the Energise lemongrass scent before a refreshing morning flow, and the Relax lavender spray when winding down with some restorative poses. For extra calm, pair with their gorgeous Liberty print eye pillow.

Type: SpraySuitable for: All yoga mats, but due to the essential oil content we recommend using sparingly on open-cell mats.How to use: Spray and wipe - then enjoy the scent as it lingers through your practice - we found ourselves idling in downward dog much longer than strictly necessary.

Like perfecting your crow pose, it can be hard to find a good spray for fussy rubber yoga mats. But this one ticks all our boxes - effective, eco-conscious and smells like you’re cavorting round a herb garden. We’re ashamed to admit that a hell of a lot of dirt came up with this one, which uses cleaning aid sodium citrate (from, you guessed it, citrus fruits), and plant-based surfactants to lift away sweat and grime. It's scented with a heady blend of thyme, oregano and eucalyptus, and supposedly also contains antioxidants to extend the life of your mat.

While the scent didn't stick around as long as we would have liked, we did love how this spray also keeps your conscience clean - for every bottle purchased, Jade Yoga provide a bar of soap to a person in need.

Type: SpraySuitable for: Rubber yoga mats. How to use: Spray down your mat and wipe with a towel (we used a microfibre cloth and that worked fine), then leave to dry.

This no-nonsense cleanser from Scandi brand BAST Paris quickly refreshes a range of fitness equipment, open and closed-cell yoga mats included. We used it on cork yoga blocks, cast iron weights, some seriously sweaty neoprene dumbbells and a PVC mat and had no problems. Sweat and grime build-up were dealt with easily (we have a shockingly dirty cloth as proof), and it has a pleasantly light, fresh scent too.

The formula is alcohol-free and uses non-ionic surfactants (which basically means cleansing agents that are less irritating and leave less residue) to blast through dirt, and sodium benzoate, a natural preservative which inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungus - yes please.

Type: SpraySuitable for: Open and closed-cell yoga mats.How to use: Simply spray and wipe.

Everything about this yoga mat cleaner, from the formulation to the packaging, has been created with the health of the planet in mind. Plant-based, non-toxic and certified vegan, the cleaning solution is made from olive oil-based surfactants and is non-hazardous and non-harmful to aquatic life, so no guilt as you rinse your sponge down the drain. But all these eco points don't mean it's not effective; even heavy sweat is easily lifted away, it leaves no residue and retains your mat's grip. Plus it has a truly gorgeous fresh scent.

The plastic pump bottle is recyclable and the outer packaging is plastic-free too. Win, win, win.

Type: FoamSuitable for: Liforme or other open-cell yoga mats.How to use: Apply 3-5 pumps of foam to a damp sponge, wipe evenly across your mat and leave to soak in for at least 30 seconds. Meanwhile, rinse your sponge and then wipe your mat down again before leaving to dry.

Yogamatters says this cleaner was inspired by the scent of the breeze blowing off the sea, and we don't know how, but they’ve nailed it. The super gentle formula evokes an invigorating beachside practice, with just a few natural ingredients. As well as the alluring fragrance, witch hazel is antibacterial while sodium benzoate stops bacteria and fungus in their tracks. We've been using this repeatedly on an eco foam mat and it's still going strong. Extra points as the spray comes in a recyclable PET bottle.

Type: SpraySuitable for: All yoga mats, including sticky and eco.How to use: Spray generously and wipe. Yogamatters suggests using a damp cloth but it's not necessary, and not really advised if you’re using it on an open-cell mat.

This yoga mat cleaner could not be simpler, both in use and formulation. It's best used as a sanitising spray - simply mist over equipment to eliminate germs and leave a fresh outdoorsy scent - think pine and minty camphor. Antimicrobial eucalyptus takes care of any nasties, while witch hazel gently neutralises harmful bacteria. Chemical and paraben free, it's environmentally friendly, leaving both your mat and conscience clean.

Type: SpraySuitable for: All mats, including eco.How to use: Spray on your mat and equipment before and after use - there's no need to wipe, but you can if you want.

This yoga mat cleaner is an Amazon bestseller for a reason. Not only does it come with a free microfibre cleaning cloth (score), at 120ml it's great value, and it's effective too. Alcohol breaks down dirt, phytoncides fight bacteria and fungus, while a blend of essential oils leave you feeling refreshed too. Choose from sage rosemary (rosemary, eucalyptus and pine) or, our favourite, sparkling lime (lime, basil and lemon).

Type: SpraySuitable for: All mats and props, however due to the essential oil content we recommend using sparingly on open-cell mats. How to use: Spray and wipe over your mat in small sections (it dries quicky).

This is the yoga mat cleaner equivalent of one of those facial pore strips, by which we mean we were equal parts horrified and amazed at the amount of gunk it shifted. A foam rather than a spray, it uses gentle surfactants to weed out sweat and grime in absorbent open-cell mats. We tested it on a PU mat and it miraculously left no residue (if you know, you know), and bonus points: it's specifically designed to extend the life of sticky mats. There's no real scent, but that tends to be best for open-cell mats.

Type: FoamSuitable for: Open-cell yoga mats.How to use: This requires a longer process than other cleaners - you pump the foam onto a cloth, then wipe the mat while applying pressure, then rinse your cloth and wipe down again - but it was worth the effort knowing our favourite Liforme mat would retain its grip.

Don't be fooled by the luxe skincare aesthetic - this is a seriously effective yoga mat cleaner. Enzymes break down dirt, sweat and oil on your mat, props, gym bag - you name it - while eucalyptus tackles bacteria and keeps everything smelling fresh alongside mint and orange bergamot. It's vegan and completely natural, so can even be used as a hand sanitiser or bed linen spray. And the best part? You only need one bottle for life - simply top up with atablet refill.

Type: SpraySuitable for: All mats and props. How to use: Simply spray and wipe.

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