How to Clean and Care for Your Yoga Mat Towel

By Shop Gaiam for yoga, fitness, meditation, active sitting, and | Published: 2026-10-17

Category: Tips & Care

Learn how to wash and maintain your yoga mat towel so it stays grippy, fresh, and absorbent. Simple steps for hot yoga towels and everyday use.

Quick Answer

Machine wash your yoga mat towel in cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent, then tumble dry on low or air dry. Avoid fabric softener and bleach—they ruin the grip and absorbency. Wash after every few uses, or after each hot yoga session.

Why Proper Care Matters for Your Yoga Towel

A yoga mat towel is designed to absorb sweat and stay put during practice. Over time, body oils, detergent residue, and bacteria can build up, reducing grip and causing odors. Regular, gentle cleaning restores the towel's performance and extends its life. The key is knowing what your towel is made of—most use microfiber or a microfiber blend with a non-slip backing. These materials need different care than cotton towels.

What You'll Need

You only need a few basics: mild liquid detergent (free of fabric softeners and bleach), cold water, and a low-heat dryer or a drying rack. If your towel has stubborn stains or smells, a half-cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle can help. Avoid using dryer sheets or any product with fabric softener—they coat the microfiber fibers and ruin the towel's ability to grip and absorb.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Your Yoga Mat Towel

Shake Out and Pre-Treat: After practice, shake the towel outside or over a trash can to remove loose dirt and hair. For sweat stains or heavy odor, rinse the towel under cold water and apply a small drop of mild detergent directly to the area. Checkpoint: Don't let a sweaty towel sit in a bag for hours—rinse or wash soon to prevent mildew.
Machine Wash on Gentle Cycle: Place the towel in the washing machine alone or with similar fabrics. Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Add only mild liquid detergent—about half the amount you'd use for a regular load. Do not use bleach, fabric softener, or any additive with softening agents. Common mistake: Too much detergent leaves residue that reduces grip. Less is more.
Dry on Low Heat or Air Dry: Tumble dry on low heat or hang the towel to air dry. High heat can damage the non-slip backing and shrink microfiber. If using a dryer, remove the towel while it's still slightly damp and let it finish air drying. Checkpoint: Skip the dryer sheet—it coats the fibers and ruins absorbency and grip.
Store Dry and Loose: Once fully dry, fold the towel loosely or roll it with your mat. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing it while damp, which can cause mildew and odors. Verdict: A clean, dry towel stored properly will stay grippy and fresh for dozens of practices.

Product Spotlight: Towels That Benefit From Good Care

Grippy Yoga Mat Towel: This super grippy yoga towel features a durable non-slip backing and an absorbent microfiber top layer, sized to fit directly on your mat. The non-slip backing relies on a clean surface to stay in place. Regular washing without fabric softener keeps the grip effective during intense flows.
Yoga Mat Towel: This super absorbent towel uses microfiber that sucks up twice as much sweat as cotton and dries in half the time. Microfiber performance depends on open fibers. Proper washing prevents clogging from oils and detergent, so the towel stays highly absorbent session after session.