How do you clean a cork yoga mat?
For everyday care, gently wipe your cork yoga mat with a soft damp cloth and allow it to air dry completely before rolling it away.
Simple is usually better.
After everyday movement
You don't necessarily need to deep-clean your mat after every few minutes of stretching.
After a normal practice:
- Lay the mat flat.
- Wipe the cork surface gently with a clean, soft damp cloth.
- Leave it open until completely dry.
- Roll it only once dry.
- Store it somewhere dry.
Can you use soap on a cork yoga mat?
Avoid reaching automatically for strong household cleaners.
Cork is a natural material and aggressive cleaning products aren't necessarily better.
For routine cleaning, water and a soft cloth are often sufficient.
If your particular mat manufacturer recommends a specific cleaning solution, follow those care instructions.
Can you soak a cork yoga mat?
We wouldn't recommend it.
Cleaning a surface is different from saturating the entire mat.
Excessive water can penetrate materials and may affect adhesives or supporting layers depending on how a particular cork mat has been constructed.
Use moisture sparingly.
Can you put a cork yoga mat in the washing machine?
Unless its manufacturer specifically says otherwise, no.
A yoga mat isn't a towel.
Machine washing introduces large amounts of water, agitation and heat that the construction may not have been designed to withstand.
The most important step: let it dry
This is the part people are most likely to rush.
Don't clean a mat and immediately roll it tightly away.
Leave it flat or open somewhere with good airflow until both the surface and underside are completely dry.
How should you store a cork yoga mat?
Once dry, roll the mat gently and keep it somewhere away from prolonged excessive heat or moisture.
Avoid leaving it wet in a car, gym bag or other enclosed environment.
Don't overthink it
One of the principles behind OTM is that better everyday objects shouldn't create more work.
Your movement practice doesn't need another complicated ritual attached to it.
Move.
Wipe the mat when it needs it.
Let it dry.
Roll it away.
Come back tomorrow.