You’re transitioning into a downward-facing dog and you get a whiff of something distinctly plastic. Sound familiar?

If you think you smelled plastic, you’re right. Most yoga mats are made from plastic. That’s why you can buy them everywhere and anywhere. Like most things plastic, they’re easy and cheap to produce. But plastic yoga mats aren’t so great for the environment — or for you.

Fortunately, cheap plastic yoga mats aren’t your only option. There are plenty of eco-conscious yoga mat brands offering eco-friendly yoga mats that are just as great for your practice, and much kinder on the environment. 

So if you’re looking for a non-toxic yoga mat, read on. We give you the skinny on what’s in those not-so-eco yoga mats, how to tell if a yoga mat really is eco-friendly, and review the best eco-friendly yoga mats you can buy today.

What is a yoga mat made out of?

As we said, most yoga mats you see today are made from plastic — specifically, PVC. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride. It’s a synthetic vinyl that’s made from petroleum. You’ll find it in a wide variety of plastic products, from bottles to credit cards. 

You’ve probably heard of PVC before. It’s a type of plastic that has a bad rap for being nasty. But what, exactly, is so bad about the PVC you find in yoga mats?  

• It releases carcinogens into the air during manufacturing. Vinyl chloride is a carcinogen, as is dioxin. Both of these are released during the manufacturing process of PVC. 500,000 pounds of vinyl chloride are released into the air each year from the U.S.-based PVC plants alone. Worse, PVC releases more dioxins into the atmosphere than any other product, according to the Center for Health, Environment & Justice. 
• It’s packed with chemicals. When you unroll that brand yoga mat and your nose is met with an onslaught of chemically smells, that’s called offgassing. Offgassing occurs as more chemicals are released into the air.
• It’s not recyclable. That means that anytime a PVC yoga mat ends up in a landfill, it lives on, leaching harmful chemicals like chlorine and carcinogens into the air and soil. 

Here’s the problem with PVC. It’s not just bad when it’s being produced. It’s dangerous at all stages of its life cycle, from the contaminants it releases during production, to the offgassing you inhale while you’re using your mat, and the toxins it leaches into the environment once it’s sitting in a landfill, refusing to break down for centuries. 

The PVC used in yoga mats also has phthalates. These are plasticizers which soften the PVC, giving your yoga mat that pliable quality. They’re also commonly found in packaging, flooring, and even cosmetics products. 

Problematically, a number of phthalates are classified as carcinogens. Many are considered so dangerous that health agencies like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have banned them for use in children’s products. Like yoga mats, phthalates are used to make kids’ toys pliable and soft, although evidence shows they disrupt healthy hormonal development in young children and increase childhood risk for asthma. Research also suggests phthalates have negative neurodevelopmental effects — such as lower IQ, attention problems, and hyperactivity. Some phthalates have even been linked to diabetes, obesity, and cancer. 

Phthalates also pose grave risks for expecting mothers and pregnant women. Multiple animal studies have found that exposure to phthalates disrupts hormones to a point that they significantly increase one’s risk of pregnancy loss and gestational diabetes.

The risk of exposure to phthalates may be even higher for pregnant yogis, since phthalates are more likely to be released in warmer temperatures. Most yoga rooms are heated to some extent, so that may make your yoga mat even more dangerous. 

The bottom line: PVC and phthalates are what makes your yoga mat so durable yet flexible, but for all their practical functionality, they’re terrible for the environment and health. 

So what’s a yogi to do? Practice on a non-toxic mat!

Non-toxic yoga mat materials

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, a growing number of yoga mat companies have started producing yoga mats made from more natural and non-toxic materials. These include:

Polyurethane

Polyurethane-based mats can be much better for the environment than PVC-based ones, but the trick is knowing how the company produces their mat. Depending on which materials they add to the mat, it has the potential to be toxic, especially if it contains isocyanates (which are also carcinogens). If you’re considering a polyurethane-based mat, look into how the manufacturer certifies its biodegradability and which polymers they use to assess whether it’s truly non-toxic.

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) 

TPE is a synthetic rubber used in yoga mats. While it’s not a natural material, the upside of TPE is that it can be recycled and TPE yoga mats are generally free of both PVC and phthalates. 

However, the manufacturing process can still contain some toxins depending on the TPE blend. Like with polyurethane, you’ll want to really look into the manufacturer’s process for producing their TPE-based mat. 

Polymer Environmental Resin (PER) 

PER is similar to TPE in that it’s also much more eco-friendly than PVC. PER-based yoga mats should not contain PVC, although it’s important to note that they may still leach synthetic estrogens — especially when exposed to warmer temperatures. 

Natural rubber

One of the most common materials you’ll find in non-toxic yoga mats is natural rubber. Yoga mats made from natural rubber feel quite similar to their synthetic equivalents, with that same grippiness, responsive cushioning, and sturdy yet flexible feel. However, natural rubber is biodegradable and non-toxic (yay!). 

The biggest downside to natural rubber as a non-toxic yoga material is that it is less durable than its synthetic counterparts. As a result, these yoga mats have a shorter lifespan which can make them less eco-friendly in the long run since you have to replace them regularly. 

Also, because this material is sourced from rubber trees, it should be avoided by anyone with a latex allergy. 

Cork

No longer just for your bottle of Pinot, cork is a super versatile material that’s used a rubber alternative for products like yoga mats and flooring. It’s also biodegradable and recyclable. Cork harvesters carefully remove bark from trees so that the tree can still exist and grow. 

Like rubber, cork yoga mats are smooth and flexible — and they get grippier with more moisture, so they can handle even the sweatiest of Bikram yoga classes. As a bonus, cork is naturally antimicrobial, so it can help keep your mat clean in those stinky sweaty yoga rooms.

Jute

Jute is a golden fiber sourced from India. It’s a relatively low-maintenance crop, growing faster than bamboo and cotton without the need for water or pesticides. 

It’s also tough, just like the burlap sacks you’ll often find it in. That toughness makes jute very durable, but it’s not the only advantage this non-toxic yoga mat material offers yogis. Jute is also naturally antimicrobial, easily cleanable, and fairly grippy.

Cotton

No list of eco-friendly materials would be complete without cotton. For those who aren’t concerned with grippiness (yin and restorative yogis, we’re looking at you), cotton yoga mats are an excellent non-toxic option. Cotton, especially when it’s produced without pesticides and dyes, is very environmentally-friendly. 

Cotton yoga mats offer decent sweat absorption. Plus, you can always upcycle yours as a rug in your house or garage when it's outlived its yoga days. Best of all, this biodegradable woven fabric can be washed in your washing machine, so you can toss your mat in along with your yoga clothes. 

However, while there’s less elbow grease involved with cleaning a cotton yoga mat, it does take longer to wash and dry. And, it’s not grippy at all. 

Wool

Wool yoga mats are also growing in popularity. These eco-friendly yoga mats offer superb cushioning, and can help warm up a cooler yoga practice (like yin or restorative). Like most natural materials, they’re also naturally antimicrobial and great at absorbing sweat.

What is an eco-friendly yoga mat? A shopping checklist

Ready to buy yourself a non-toxic yoga mat? Here’s a quick checklist of questions to ask so you know the yoga mat you’re buying is truly eco-friendly.

• What is the yoga made from? Does it contain any PVC, or is it made from sustainable materials like natural rubber, jute, or cork?
• How and where was the yoga mat made? Is it handmade? Was it produced locally, in a facility based in the US? 
• Is the mat biodegradable or recyclable? Eventually, even the most durable yoga mat will wear itself out. (Why do you think so many PVC yoga mats end up in landfills, anyway?) When that time comes, you’ll want to know you can throw yours away or recycle it with minimal environmental impact.
• How does the yoga mat smell? If a yoga mat reeks of plastic, chances are it’s made from plastic. Non-toxic yoga mats shouldn’t have a strong, plasticy smell. Yoga mats made from natural rubber may have a distinct odor at first, but it should go away with time. 
• What’s the company’s brand mission? Beyond selling eco-friendly yoga mats, how does the company otherwise contribute to environmental causes or organizations?
• What’s the packaging like? If you’ll be ordering your yoga mat online, aim to support brands that follow the eco-friendly mission all the way through to their packaging. You’ll feel a lot less guilty if your mat arrives without tons of plastic wrap. Whatever packaging it does come in, make sure to recycle what you can and reuse what you can’t.

Choosing the best non-toxic yoga mat for your practice

In the last section, we mentioned how certain yoga mat materials are more grippy or sweat-absorbent than others. What kind of yoga do you practice? How you yoga dictates what kind of mat you need:

• Vinyasa and hatha flow practitioners prefer mats that let you move from one movement to the next, without slipping. You need a yoga mat with some grip, but not too grippy to mess with your flow. Smooth mats made from cork, jute, or natural rubber are good options.
• Ashtanga and power yoga practitioners need the same flow, with even more grip. These types of yoga are made to make you sweat, so you need a mat that can handle the heat, the humidity, and be just as strong and grippy as ever while being no-sweat to clean (you’ll want to wipe yours down after every class). Go for cork or natural rubber.
• Bikram yoga classes have all the heat of ashtanga, but without the flow. Jute is a good option as it's easily cleanable. Cork can be a good pick, too, or natural rubber.
• Kundalini practitioners need a mat that doesn’t distract them from their breathing and chanting. Cork, jute, and cotton can all work. It’s more about personal preference here.
• Iyengar yoga is all about alignment. Iyengar practitioners can benefit from the traction and grip of a cork or rubber mat. Keep a special eye out for mats with alignment markers printed on them (like our Liforme pick, below) to really perfect your pose. 
• Finally, restorative and yin yoga practitioners need whatever makes them comfortable, so they can really sink into each pose. Cotton can be a great option because it’s soft, and you don’t have to worry about sweat stinking up your mat. Although, if you prefer the feel of jute, cork, or natural rubber, we say go for it.

Beyond material, also consider the thickness of your yoga mat. Thicker mats can be comfier for seated yoga and practices that focus heavily on stretching, but you’ll want as thin a mat as possible for standing postures. The thinner the mat, the better your balance as your toes can really grip the floor. If you’re injured, opt for thicker mats for a little more cushioning on your joints. 

If you’re pregnant, yoga mats with toxic materials should be avoided at all costs, given the risk of phthalate exposure. When choosing among eco-friendly yoga mats, we recommend opting for a mat with more traction to further protect you from slips and falls. Cork and natural rubber are best, and jute is another good option.

What is the best eco-friendly yoga mat? Our top 8 picks

Below we’ve highlighted our favorite eco-friendly yoga brands. For each brand, we’ll share their best non-toxic mats, give you the inside info on their eco-friendliness as a brand, and tell you about any potential downsides you need to consider. 

Manduka - for the charitable yogi

Manduka’s eKO series of mats are all 99% latex-free and made without PVC or plasticizers or toxic dyes. Instead, these mats are made from biodegradable natural rubber, sustainably harvested from trees outside of the Amazon. Manduka uses non-toxic foaming agents to soften the rubber instead of plasticizers, and they’ve replaced the traditional synthetic polyester with a polyester-natural cotton blend for reinforcement. 

The eKO Yoga Mat is available in 5mm and 6mm varieties, with lengths of 71 or 81 inches. The eKO Lite Yoga Mat is a slightly thinner option, at 4mm. The eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat is an ultra-thin version that’s only 1.5mm thick. 

Eco-Friendly Kudos:

• Manduka has taken great care to ensure an eco-friendly manufacturing process, from soup to nuts. All scrap is collected and used to produce other materials so the entire process is zero-waste. 
• With Manduka’s Live On program, you can pay $10 to ship your old mat back to them for recycling — even if it’s not a Manduka branded mat. When your new mat arrives, it will include a prepaid shipping label for your old one. They’ll ensure your old mat gets recycled into something else, whether that’s apparel, home insulation, or running tracks.
• Through Manduka’s Project: Om, the company donates 1% of all online sales to nonprofit organizations like Susan G. Komen and others that support education and disaster relief. The company also hosts yoga classes and provides apparel. 

Cons:

• The mats are not machine washable.
• Thanks to being made from natural rubber, these mats are heavy. The eKO and eKO Lite weigh anywhere from 5 to 8 pounds, depending on length and thickness. Only the Superlite Travel is light, at just over 2 pounds. 

Price: $44 to $92. Save with these Manduka promo codes.

Best for: Vinyasa, hatha flow, ashtanga, power yoga

Prana - for the outdoor yogi

Made from TPE, prAna’s yoga mats are affordable and eco-friendly. Their E.C.O Yoga Mat has a textured surface on both sides — that means it stays extra grippy whether you’re practicing in the studio, at home, or outside. Plus, TPE is UV-resistant so you can practice your sun salutations in the sun as long as you want (just don’t forget your sunscreen). 

The mat is 5mm thick but ultra-lightweight, at just over 2 pounds. The standard mat comes in two colors: black and a dark rosy pink. There’s also a 76-inch Large version and pretty Henna print available. 

Eco-Friendly Kudos:

• prAna’s mantra is “Clothing for Positive Change.” The company is committed to using sustainable materials wherever possible, partnering with eco-minded organizations, and educating customers on how they can be socially and environmentally responsible. 
• All of prAna’s clothes are Fair Trade Certified, and their program has donated back $400,000 to over 33,000 workers worldwide. In addition to partnering with the Fair Labor Association, prAna is also very transparent about how they monitor their supply chain to ensure safe and respectful working conditions for their factories.
• If you want to buy more than just a new yoga mat, prAna’s yoga and outdoor apparel is made using organic cotton, recycled wool, and responsible down. All of their clothes are Bluesign-approved, which means they’ve been created without harmful chemicals.

Cons:

• The mats are not machine washable. 
• The standard mat only comes in a single length of 72 inches.

Price: $55 to $59. Save with these prAna promo codes.

Best for: Vinyasa, hatha flow, ashtanga, power, bikram, iyengar yoga

Yoloha - for the yogi who won’t settle for less

When it comes to cork yoga mats, Yoloha is where it’s at. This eco-friendly yoga company specializes in cork yoga mats, with four options to choose from. 

Our top pick is their Yoloha Native Yoga Mat. The mat is 5mm thick, weighs four pounds, and available in three lengths. It has a 1.5mm topside of blended recycled cork and recycled rubber, with a bottom made from 3.5mm green label compliant foam. This unique blend of materials provides premium cushioning for your fingers and toes and joints, while ensuring maximum stability for those balancing postures.

This is a performance mat, first and foremost, with a surface that stays non-slip — no matter how wet your practice gets. In fact, the wetter it gets, the stickier the cork gets. No more yoga towels for you!

Eco-Friendly Kudos: 

• All of Yoloha’s mats are 100% vegan and non-toxic, without PVC or plasticizers.
• Because the cork gets stickier with sweat, there’s no need to use a towel.
• To prevent returns and wasted mats, Yohola offers a sample pack you can order for just $5 to test the feel of their corks before you buy yours. 
• Everything is shipped using 100% recycled or recyclable cardboard and craft paper.
  They never use plastic.
• Their mats are manufactured in the USA. 

Cons:

• Yoloha’s mats are pricey, so they’re not for yogis on a budget.
• The Native Yoga Mat does contain recycled rubber, so it should be avoided by those with a latex allergy.
• Yoloha mats need a bit more TLC than the average yoga mat. They need to be cleaned regularly, and should never be folded or rolled tightly. They’ll also develop cracking over time, although that shouldn’t affect the mat’s lifespan or usability.

Price: $79 to $209. Save with these Yoloha promo codes.

Best for: Vinyasa, hatha flow, ashtanga, power, bikram, iyengar, kundalini yoga

Honorable Mentions:

Yoloha’s Native Yoga Mat is a premium yoga mat that works for any kind of practice, but if you’re looking for something more affordable or a bit more tailored to your practice, you might like one of their other non-toxic yoga mats:

• Yoloha’s Original Air Cork Yoga Mat was the mat that started it all, with 2mm of natural cork sourced from Portugal on top and 4mm of closed-cell eco-friendly foam on the bottom. This mat contains absolutely no latex. It’s 6mm thick, super lightweight at just 2.5 pounds, making it a perfect pick for flow-based classes, restorative, and kundalini yoga. 
• The Yoloha Nomad Cork Yoga Mat contains the least amount of cork of all their mats, with a thin layer atop a bottom of eco-friendly foam. This is their lightweight, medium-density mat that’s the lowest-maintenance and made for travelers and those who don’t tend to sweat. 
• The Yoloha Aura Yoga Mat is designed for comfort above all, with 6mm of closed-cell eco-friendly foam topped by a layer of non-slip cork. It comes in standard and XL lengths, and tacks on 2 extra inches to the width, but manages to weigh under 3 pounds. This mat is designed for cooler yoga practices, yogis with injuries, and anyone who needs more support or room to practice.

Jade Yoga - for the yogi who loves color

Most non-toxic yoga mats are black or neutral in color. Jade Yoga breaks the mold. If you love a pop of color, this is the yoga brand for you.

The Jade Harmony Yoga Mat is available in 10+ colors and 3 lengths (68, 71, and 74 inches), so it’s easy to find one to suit your style. This is Jade’s original rubber yoga mat, made from renewable, sustainable, all-natural rubber in the USA (without any PVC or synthetic rubber). All mats are 3/16 inches thick. For a longer, wider version of this mat, there’s the Harmony XW.

Eco-Friendly Kudos: 

• To cut down on waste, you can email them to get a free sample swatch to ensure you like the color before you buy.
• All of Jade’s mats are made in the US.
• Jade plants a tree for every yoga mat sold, through their partnership with Trees for the Future. Since 2006, they’ve planted over 1 million trees.
• With their Color Cause program, Jade selects a different organization to benefit from the sales of their mats. On either a monthly or annual basis, $5 from each mat sold goes to that charity. Through the sale of their teal mat alone, they’ve donated over $100,000 to ovarian cancer research.
• Jade donates 50 mats each month to organizations that support rehab, domestic violence victims, veterans, the homelessness, and more.
• The company also donates a portion of their sales to an environmental group every Earth Day.

Cons:

• Because their mats are made from rubber, they will have an initial rubbery smell. It’s not harmful and will go away with time. 
• Although the mats are 99% latex free, they are made from rubber trees so people with latex allergies should avoid them.

Price: $39.95 to $144.95. Save with these Jade Yoga promo codes.

Best for: Vinyasa, hatha flow, ashtanga, power, iyengar yoga

Honorable Mentions:

• Beginner yogis and those on a budget may prefer the Level One Mat. It’s a thinner 4mm, more affordable version of the Harmony yoga mat.
• The Fusion Mat is the thicker, 5/16-inch version of the Harmony mat. This ultra-cushioned mat was made to support restorative yoga, as well as pilates and crossfit. 

SugaMat - for the surfer yogi

Suga’s unique approach to reusability has helped them design perhaps the most innovative yoga mat around — one made from old wetsuits! 

Every SugaMat is available in standard and XL lengths (72- and 74-inches) with a 5mm thickness. They also offer a travel version that’s 3mm thick. With the SugaMat C2G, SugaMat has designed a mat they’ve backed with a lifetime warranty. If it breaks down, you can send it back to them for a free replacement. 

Eco-Friendly Kudos:

• The best part about Suga is that all of their yoga mats are designed to be recyclable — even after you’re done using yours. With their wetsuit recycling program, you can just send yours back to Suga for them to repurpose it. Customers can drop off their old wetsuits at drop boxes throughout California and British Columbia, or mail them in to Suga, for a 10% off discount. 
• At the time of writing, Suga had collected over 12,574 wetsuits through their wetsuit recycling program. 

Cons:

• SugaMats are heavy, with the standard length weighing 5 pounds. 
• Since they’re made from recycled wetsuits, SugaMats are only available in a mottled black color. 

Price: $79 to $89. 

Best for: Vinyasa, hatha flow, kundalini, restorative, yin yoga

Liforme - for the alignment-focused yogi

Liforme is one of those companies that figured out how to do one thing well, and to do it really well. Their eco-friendly Liforme Yoga Mat is wider and longer than the standard yoga mat, with clear alignment markers to help you ensure the ultimate precision in your practice. 

The 4mm mat features a naturally-sourced rubber base with a top surface made from eco-friendly polyurethane (but absolutely no PVC). Instead of ink and glue, Liforme uses etching and heat-bonding to bind the mat and etch on the alignment markers. It comes in five colors and ships with a complimentary yoga mat bag. 

Eco-Friendly Kudos:

• Liforme ships their non-toxic yoga mats in completely recyclable packaging, with no plastic.
• Liforme regularly donates thousands of dollars to charitable causes, from the World Health Organization to Black LIves Matter. LIforme also donates a portion of their proceeds from certain mat sales to long-term charity partners. 

Cons:

• At 5.5 pounds, the Liforme mat is bigger and heavier than the standard mat, so it’s a bit more troublesome to move around (although they do have a travel version, too).
• While the Liforme yoga mat is PVC-free, it does feature polyurethane. However, Liforme did commission an independent study to ensure it will biodegrade within 5 years in a typical landfill. 
• Because they are biodegradable, Liforme mats will not last as long if used in heat and humidity, so they’re designed for indoor and non-heated yoga practices.

Price: $140. Save with these Liforme promo codes.

Best for: Iyengar, kundalini, restorative, yin yoga

Hugger Mugger - for the yogi who does it all

If you’ve ever been to a yoga studio, chances are you’ve used Hugger Mugger’s yoga blocks. But this company sells a wide range of mats, too, including several eco-friendly choices. 

Our top pick is their Para Rubber Yoga Mat. It’s made from natural rubber sourced from non-Amazon trees, with a two-in-one design. One side has tiny bumps to help with balancing, while the flipside has a woven grip made for sweaty yoga. Both sides are designed to be non-slip, but you can think of one as optimized for ultra-hot classes and the other for cooldown. The mat comes in a quarter-inch thickness, both standard and XL sizes, and a variety of colors. 

Eco-Friendly Kudos:

• In addition to their mats, Hugger Mugger also sells several eco-friendly yoga accessories, like jute bags, essential oil mat cleaner, and yoga blocks made from cork, bamboo, or recycled foam.
• Each quarter, Hugger Mugger gives back a percentage of profits to a different nonprofit organization.
• A majority of Hugger Mugger products are made in the U.S.A.

Cons:

• Some products, including the Para Rubber Yoga Mat, are made in Taiwan.
• Because it’s made from natural rubber, the Para Rubber Yoga Mat will have an initial rubber smell, although it will go away. It should also be avoided by those with latex allergies.
• At nearly 7 pounds, this mat is pretty heavy. 

Price: $94.95 to $129.95. Save with these Hugger Mugger promo codes.

Best for: Any type of yoga 

Honorable Mentions:

Hugger Mugger’s Para Rubber Yoga Mat is on the more expensive side. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out these two:

• The Sattva Jute Yoga Mat combines natural jute and PER for a strong, eco-friendly yoga mat. The jute absorbs sweat so you don’t slip, while the PER ensures maximum grip, so this mat was made for hot yoga practitioners and anyone who loves to sweat. It’s also latex-free and super lightweight, at only 3 pounds. 
• The Earth Elements Yoga Mat is made from a nontoxic, biodegradable TPE blend. The mat’s closed-cell construction keeps sweat out and makes for easy cleaning. It’s 100% recyclable, biodegradable, and latex-free. The mat comes in 3mm and 5mm thicknesses. TPE doesn’t perform well in extreme weather, so it shouldn’t be left out in the sun, heat or cold, and it will last longer if used in cooler yoga rooms. 

Barefoot Yoga Co - for the hot yogi

As you may guess from their name, Barefoot Yoga Co is all about keeping things natural. They offer a selection of eco-friendly yoga mats, with different mats to suit every yogi. 

Their Original Eco Yoga Mat is a biodegradable blend of natural rubber and jute fiber, without any chemical additives. The rubber bottom half offers grip, while the jute/rubber blend on top offers excellent traction, even during your sweatiest yoga session. The jute absorbs your sweat as you practice so the mat stays sticky and grippy throughout your class. This 4mm mat is available in standard 72-inch and extra long 84-inch sizes. 

Eco-Friendly Kudos:

• In addition to selling eco-friendly yoga mats, Barefoot Yoga stays eco-conscious throughout their operations. As part of their commitment to being an environmentally responsible company, their office uses recycled furniture, scrap paper ,and recycled paper, and energy efficient lighting. They’re so efficient they only throw out one bag of garbage each week. 
• Barefoot Yoga mats are shipped using old newspaper and recycle packing material. 
• On their blog, Barefoot Yoga offers clever ways to reuse your mat once it's yoga days are over, from donating it to your local animal shelter to letting your kids use it during their craft projects.

Cons:

• The yoga mats are not machine washable. 
• This yoga mat does contain latex and should be avoided by those with latex allergies.

Price: $90. Save with these Barefoot Yoga promo codes.

Best for: Ashtanga, bikram, hatha flow, vinyasa, power yoga

How to clean your yoga mat in an eco-friendly way

Once you’ve got your new eco-friendly yoga mat, clean it regularly to keep it in good shape (and out of the landfill).

If you don’t sweat very much, you can clean your mat on a weekly basis. For fans of Ashtanga and hot yoga, it’s a good idea to do it after every class. 

Your mat should come with cleaning instructions. Start there. If not, try the following:

• Fill a spray bottle with two cups of water and add a bit of dish soap (for natural rubber mats, use a solution with equal parts water and vinegar instead). Spritz your mat with this solution. 
• Then wipe down your mat with water and rub it with a clean dry towel.
• Finally, let it air dry. Always air dry your mat in the shade away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can speed up deterioration. 

Here’s to continuing your yoga practice in a more eco-friendly way! Non-toxic yoga mats can be just as resilient and supportive as plastic ones. Plus, they're so much better for your health and the environment!