Keeping Yoga Props Clean: A Care Routine for Mats, Blocks, Straps, Blankets and Bolsters

Cleaning versus disinfecting

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distinguishes cleaning, which uses soap or detergent and removes most germs from surfaces, from disinfecting, which kills germs that remain after cleaning. The CDC advises cleaning surfaces before disinfecting them, and following product instructions, including contact time, when you do disinfect.

For home props, routine cleaning is usually what you need. Many mat makers advise against disinfectant wipes on mats because harsh chemicals can degrade the material and irritate skin; check your mat's label before using any disinfectant.

After every session

A short habit prevents most build-up.

1. Wipe the mat surface with a damp cloth or a cleaner the manufacturer approves for that material.
2. Wipe blocks where hands and feet touched them.
3. Let the mat dry completely before rolling it; one major mat maker stresses drying fully before rolling or storing.
4. Shake out the blanket you used under your head and hang it to air.

Weekly or after very sweaty sessions

A slightly deeper clean without soaking anything.

• Mat: use the amount, contact time and drying method specified for your product.
• Blocks: wipe all sides; stand foam blocks on end to dry; keep cork away from damp.
• Strap: wipe the buckle; hand-wash or machine-wash cotton straps if the label allows, then air-dry.
• Floor: sweep or vacuum the practice area so less dirt reaches the mat.

Every few weeks

Check each textile’s care label rather than using a fixed washing interval for everything.

• Blankets: wash according to the label, especially any used under the face.
• Bolster: remove and wash the cover if it is removable; air the core in a dry place.
• Eye pillows: wash or replace the cover; do not wash filled inserts unless the label permits.

Material-specific cautions

These cautions come from manufacturer guidance; your product's own label takes priority.

• Do not soak, submerge or machine-wash most mats; one maker warns that a washing machine will damage a mat and cause rapid ageing.
• Natural rubber mats: one maker says not to use any soap, as it compromises the mat; use only the cleaner the maker specifies.
• Absorbent mat surfaces: one maker advises never applying disinfectant because liquid absorbs and cannot be fully removed.
• All mats: avoid long exposure to sunlight, which fades and degrades material.
• Cork blocks: let them dry fully if damp; do not store in humid places.
• Essential oils in homemade sprays can build up on mat surfaces over time and affect grip.

Shared and studio props

At a studio, wipe down borrowed mats and blocks with the spray provided and return props neatly, as studio etiquette guides suggest. If you are sensitive about shared props, bring your own mat or a thin travel mat to lay over the studio's, and place a tissue or cloth between your face and shared eye pillows or blankets.

When to replace rather than clean

Worn props are a safety issue as well as a hygiene one: a slippery mat or rocking block makes slips more likely.

• Mat surface flaking, crumbling or permanently slippery after cleaning.
• Mat torn where hands or feet land.
• Foam block crumbling or deeply gouged, so it no longer sits flat.
• Strap buckle bent or webbing fraying near the buckle.
• Persistent mildew smell from a bolster core.