Many people prefer to clean their yoga mats regularly to rid them of any dirt, sweat, bacteria or germs that may have collected on them. Yoga mat cleaners often include ingredients labeled "all natural" or "certified organic." There are many different formulations for these spray-on cleaners. However, there a few ingredients that are found in most yoga mat cleaning products. Mat cleaner should be removed with a wet sponge or cloth after it's sprayed on. Users need to allow mats to dry before use or storage, which usually takes five to 10 minutes.
Surfactants
Coconut surfactants appear on many ingredient lists. "Surfactant" is short for "surface active agent." Coconut has degreasing and cleansing properties, so detergents often contain coconut oil, according to cosmeticscop.com. These agents are used to degrease as well as to suspend soil, which allows dirt and oil or grease to be washed away. Surfactants are sometimes called detergent cleansing agents and are used in most forms of gentle cleansers. Other surfactants found in yoga mat cleaners include corn ingredients and potato starch.
Citrus Oil
Citrus oil derived from oranges or grapefruit has cleaning capabilities and is also is used for its fragrance. Grapefruit oil can be irritating to some people's skin and cause contact dermatitis or a phototoxic reaction in sunlight, warns cosmeticscop.com, so people who choose a product with grapefruit oil may consider wearing gloves while cleaning mats.
Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate often is used as a preservative because it can inhibit mold and yeast growth.
Di-limonene
Di-limonene is a constituent of citrus oils that adds fragrance. It can cause contact dermatitis in some people, cosmeticscop.com says, so it's best to avoid contact with skin. Consider wearing gloves when cleaning your mat with a product that contains this ingredient.
Lauric Acid
Palm kernel oil and coconut oil both contain lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties, according to a 2001 study done by researchers at Clemson University, South Carolina, that was published in the Journal of Food Protection.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is also sometimes called melaleuca, which is a name derived from its plant source, Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil has disinfecting properties.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is used for its scent, but also has slight antibacterial properties. Lavender oil can cause irritation if it comes in contact with the skin, according to cosmeticscop.com, so consider wearing gloves if your mat cleaner features this ingredient.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel hydrosol is used to kill bacteria. Witch hazel has an ethanol, or alcohol, content of 70 to 80 percent. The alcohol can irritate the skin. Consider wearing gloves if your mat cleaner includes witch hazel.
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