Learn How To Store A Yoga Mat Properly For Longevity

Properly storing a yoga mat is key to making it last longer, preventing damage like cracks or loss of grip, and keeping it clean and fresh for your practice. This guide will show you simple ways to store your mat so it stays in great shape.

How To Store A Yoga Mat
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Why Caring For Your Mat Matters

Think of your yoga mat as a tool for your health and peace. Just like any tool, it works best when you take good care of it. Good storage helps your mat in many ways. It stops it from getting dirty or picking up bad smells. It protects the material so it doesn’t wear out too fast. When you store your mat the right way, you avoid yoga mat damage and make sure it’s ready for your next yoga session. This is a big part of overall yoga mat care tips.

Getting Your Mat Ready To Put Away

Before you store your mat, especially for long term yoga mat storage, it is very important to clean it well and make sure it is completely dry. Sweat, dirt, and oils from your skin can build up on your mat. If you store the mat with these things on it, it can lead to bad smells or even mold. Learning how to clean yoga mat before storing is the first step to keeping it nice.

Making Your Mat Clean

Cleaning your mat doesn’t have to be hard.

Wipe After Each Use: A quick wipe down after you finish your practice is a good habit. Use a damp cloth or a mat-cleaning spray.
Do a Deeper Clean: From time to time, give your mat a better wash. You can use a mix of water and a little mild soap. Wipe the mat gently with this mix. Rinse it well with clean water. Make sure to get all the soap off.

Making Your Mat Dry

This step is maybe the most important one for keep yoga mat from smelling.

Air Dry Fully: Never roll up or store a wet mat. Hang it up or lay it flat to air dry. Make sure it is completely dry all the way through. This can take a few hours, maybe even a day, depending on how thick your mat is and how much water you used.
Feel It All Over: Touch the mat in different spots to be sure there are no damp patches. Trapped wetness is what causes mold and bad smells.

The Best Way To Roll Your Mat

Most people store their mats rolled up. Doing this the right way is key to prevent yoga mat creases and keep the mat shape nice. This is known as rolling yoga mat properly.

How To Roll It Right

Follow these simple steps:

Start at One End: Begin rolling from one end of the mat.
Keep It Even: Try to keep the edges lined up as you roll. This helps the mat stay straight and prevents wrinkles on the sides.
Roll Tightly, But Not Too Tight: You want the roll to be firm so it doesn’t come undone easily. But don’t pull or stretch the mat hard as you roll. Too much pulling can stretch the material or put pressure on it, which might cause damage over time.
Face the Right Way: Some mats roll with the top (the side you stand on) facing out. Some roll with the top facing in. Check what the maker of your mat suggests. Rolling the wrong way can sometimes make the edges curl up.

Why Proper Rolling Helps

When you roll your mat correctly:

No More Creases: Rolling smoothly and evenly stops kinks and hard fold lines from forming. These creases can make the mat uneven to practice on.
Saves Space: A neatly rolled mat is easy to store.
Protects the Surface: Rolling can help protect the top surface, especially if you store it standing up.

Different Ways To Put Your Mat Away

There are several yoga mat storage methods you can use. The best one for you depends on how much space you have and what works easiest.

1. Storing Rolled

This is the most common way.

Standing Up: You can stand the rolled mat up in a corner. This saves floor space. Use a mat strap or bag to help it stay rolled tight. Be careful it doesn’t fall over, especially if you have kids or pets.
Lying Down: You can lay the rolled mat down on a shelf or under furniture. This is very stable. It takes up more flat space, though.
Using a Mat Bag: A mat bag is great for carrying your mat, but it’s also good for storage. It protects the mat from dust and dirt. Make sure the mat is dry before putting it in the bag, especially if the bag isn’t made of breathable material.
Using a Mat Strap: A simple strap helps keep the mat rolled. You can then store it easily.

2. Hanging Your Mat

Hanging yoga mat storage is a great option if you have wall space.

Mat Straps: Many mats come with straps you can use to hang them on hooks.
Special Hangers: You can buy hangers designed just for yoga mats. These often have clips or loops.
Wall Racks: You can put up shelves or racks on the wall that hold rolled mats. Some racks hold several mats at once.
Over-the-Door Hangers: These use the back of a door to hang your mat, saving wall space.
Tips for Hanging:
- Make sure the hook or strap does not pinch the mat too much. This can cause a dent or weak spot over time.
- Hang the mat in a place where it won’t be hit or knocked down.
- Hanging allows air to move around the mat, which is good for keeping it fresh.
Possible Downsides of Hanging: Some thick or heavy mats might stretch a little over time if always hung from one point. Using a wider strap or a rack that supports more of the mat can help avoid this. Check your mat’s material. Some materials are more likely to stretch than others.

3. Storing Flat

Less common, but possible.

Under Furniture: If your mat can lay flat without being folded, you could slide it under a bed or couch.
On a Wide Shelf: You could lay it flat on a very large, flat shelf.
Why It’s Less Common:
- Takes up a lot more space than a rolled mat.
- It’s easy to put other things on top of the mat when it’s flat. This can press into the mat and cause dents or marks that don’t go away. To prevent yoga mat creases and dents this way, you need a dedicated flat space with nothing on top of it.

Picking The Right Spot To Store Your Mat

Where you put your mat is just as important as how you store it. The wrong place can hurt the mat material over time, make it smell bad, or ruin the grip. You need a place that helps you avoid yoga mat damage.

Good Places To Keep Your Mat

Look for a place that is:

Cool: Heat can make some mat materials soft and sticky. It can also make them break down faster. A regular room temperature spot is good.
Dry: Moisture leads to mold and bad smells. Avoid damp places like unfinished basements. A closet or a corner in a living area is often good.
Dark: Direct sunlight, over time, can fade the color of your mat. More importantly, the UV rays in sunlight can break down the mat material itself. This makes it weaker and less grippy. Keep your mat out of direct sun.
Clean: Don’t store your mat where it can get dusty or dirty easily.

Places To Stay Away From

Certain places are bad for yoga mats.

Hot Cars: Never leave your mat in a car, especially on a sunny or warm day. The heat inside a car can get very high. This is one of the worst things for a mat, causing it to get sticky, lose its shape, and wear out fast. This is a big part of storing yoga mat in hot weather – don’t!
Attics or Garages: These places often get very hot or very cold. They can also be damp or dusty. Extreme temperatures are bad for mat materials.
Damp Basements: High moisture in basements is a perfect place for mold and mildew to grow on your mat. This will make it smell bad and can even damage the material.
Near Heaters or Vents: Putting your mat right next to a heat source can dry out certain mat materials, making them brittle and likely to crack.
In Direct Sunlight: As mentioned before, sunlight is harmful. Don’t store your mat next to a sunny window.

Table: Good vs. Bad Storage Spots

Good Storage Spot Examples	Bad Storage Spot Examples	Why It’s Good/Bad
Closet (not damp)	Hot Car	Cool, dark, dry / Extreme heat, sun damage
Under a bed (clean, dry floor)	Damp Basement	Out of the way, dark, avoids light / Moisture, mold
Behind a door (if hanging)	Sunny Window	Out of direct light / UV damage, fading
On a wall rack (away from sun/heat)	Near a heater or heating vent	Keeps shape, aired out, away from heat / Dryness, cracking
In a dry, main living area corner	Dusty Garage or Attic	Stable temp, clean / Extreme temps, dust, pests

Stopping Common Mat Problems During Storage

Even with good storage, sometimes issues come up. Here’s how to handle or prevent them.

Stopping Creases

We talked about prevent yoga mat creases by rolling right. But what if you get one?

Roll the Other Way: If you have a light crease, try rolling the mat up in the opposite direction it normally rolls. Leave it like that for a while.
Lay It Flat (Carefully): For minor creases, sometimes laying the mat flat in a warm (not hot) place for a day can help.
Use Gentle Heat (Use Caution!): Some mats can be carefully warmed slightly to help relax a crease (like leaving it rolled backwards in a slightly warm room). Never use high heat or put it in a dryer. Check your mat’s instructions! For many mat types (like PVC or TPE), heat can cause damage.
Best Prevention: Always roll your mat carefully and store it where it won’t be crushed or bent. Avoid folding your mat.

Stopping Bad Smells

The best way to keep yoga mat from smelling is to clean it and dry it fully before storing.

Air It Out: If your mat starts smelling a little, unroll it and let it air out for a day in a clean, dry place.
Clean Again: Give it another good cleaning and make sure it dries completely.
Use Mat Spray: There are special sprays you can buy or make (like water with a little white vinegar or essential oil) that help kill germs and smells. Test on a small spot first.
Baking Soda (Use with care): Some people lightly sprinkle baking soda on the mat, leave it for a while, then wipe it off. Be very careful to remove all baking soda, as it can make the mat slippery. Check if this is safe for your mat material first.
Important: A strong, lasting bad smell often means there are bacteria or mold. Proper drying is the number one defense.

Avoiding Stickiness or Breaking Down

If your mat gets sticky or starts to crumble, it’s often because of heat or sunlight damage. This means you didn’t avoid yoga mat damage from the environment.

Prevention is Key: Once a mat material starts breaking down this way, it’s hard or impossible to fix. The best thing is prevention: always store your mat in a cool, dark, dry place.
Check Mat Material: Different mat materials react differently to heat and sun. Know what your mat is made of (like PVC, TPE, Rubber) and look up specific care tips from the maker. Natural rubber mats, for example, are very sensitive to sunlight and heat.

Tips For Storing Your Mat For A Long Time

If you won’t be using your mat for weeks or months (long term yoga mat storage), a little extra care helps.

Clean and Dry Super Well: Make sure your mat is spotlessly clean and bone-dry. Any little bit of moisture or dirt can cause problems when stored away.
Roll It Neatly: Roll it using the proper method to prevent yoga mat creases.
Protect It: Put the rolled mat in a breathable mat bag or wrap it in a cotton sheet or towel. Avoid wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap, which can trap moisture.
Choose the Right Place: Store it in that ideal cool, dark, dry place. Avoid attics, basements, or places where temperature and wetness change a lot.
Store Nothing On Top: If storing flat, make sure nothing heavy is placed on it. If storing rolled, make sure it won’t be crushed.
Check On It: If storing for a very long time (many months), it’s a good idea to unroll it maybe once every six months. Let it air out briefly, check for any smells or issues, and then roll and store it again.

Putting All The Yoga Mat Care Tips Together

Taking good care of your mat makes a big difference. It helps your mat last longer, feel better to use, and stay clean for your practice. Here is a quick list of key yoga mat care tips:

Wipe your mat down after each yoga session.
Clean your mat well when needed, especially before storing it away.
Always, always let your mat dry completely before rolling or storing it. This helps keep yoga mat from smelling and prevents mold.
Learn rolling yoga mat properly to keep its shape and prevent yoga mat creases.
Choose one of the right yoga mat storage methods (rolled, hanging, flat) that works for you and your space.
Store your mat in a cool, dark, dry place to avoid yoga mat damage from sun, heat, and wetness. Pay special attention to storing yoga mat in hot weather – avoid it completely!
If putting the mat away for a long time, clean it extra well and protect it in storage.
Check your mat maker’s instructions for specific care needs based on the material.

By following these simple steps, you can keep your yoga mat healthy and ready for practice for many years. Proper storage is a small habit that gives your mat much longer longevity.

Questions People Often Ask About Mat Storage

Here are answers to some common questions about storing yoga mats.

h5> Can I store my yoga mat standing up?

Yes, you can. Storing your mat rolled up and standing in a corner saves floor space. It’s a good yoga mat storage method for small areas. Just make sure it’s stable so it doesn’t fall over. Using a mat strap helps keep it rolled tight when standing.

h5> Is it bad to leave my yoga mat rolled all the time?

No, it’s usually the best way to store it. Rolling yoga mat properly is the main method. It helps the mat keep its shape and avoids creases you’d get from folding. Make sure you roll it correctly and store it in a good spot.

h5> How do I stop my yoga mat from getting sticky when stored?

Stickiness usually happens because of heat or sunlight. To stop this, always store your mat in a cool, dark place. Avoid hot cars, attics, or sunny spots. This is key for storing yoga mat in hot weather. If your mat is already sticky, sometimes a good cleaning can help a little, but heat damage is often hard to fix.

h5> My mat smells bad even after cleaning. What can I do?

A bad smell often means it wasn’t dried fully before storing, and bacteria or mold grew. How to clean yoga mat before storing is very important, but drying is maybe more so for smell. Unroll it and let it air out completely for a day or two. Clean it again with a mix of water and a little white vinegar (check if safe for your mat). Make sure it is totally dry before rolling it up again. Proper drying is the best way to keep yoga mat from smelling.

h5> Can I store my yoga mat flat instead of rolled?

You can store your mat flat, for example, under a bed. The good thing is this fully avoids prevent yoga mat creases. But it takes up a lot more flat space. Also, you must be careful not to put anything on top of the mat, as this can press into it and cause dents or other yoga mat damage. Rolled storage is usually easier and more common.

h5> Will hanging my mat damage it?

Hanging yoga mat storage is usually fine if done right. Use a wide strap or a proper mat hanger that doesn’t pinch the mat material too much. Avoid hanging very heavy mats from a single thin strap for very long periods, as it could cause stretching or dents over time. For most mats, hanging from straps or a rack is a good way to store them and lets them air out well. It’s a good yoga mat storage method for saving floor space.

h5> How should I store my mat if I won’t use it for a year?

For long term yoga mat storage, clean and dry it extra well. Roll it neatly. Put it in a breathable bag (like cotton) or wrap it in a sheet – avoid airtight plastic. Store it in a place that stays cool, dark, and very dry all year round. Check on it maybe every 6 months to make sure it’s okay and doesn’t smell. This helps avoid yoga mat damage over the long term.

h5> Why is proper rolling important for my mat’s life?

Rolling yoga mat properly helps it keep its intended shape. It helps prevent yoga mat creases which make the mat uneven. It also avoids putting too much stress on the material in one spot, which can happen with folding or careless rolling. This is a simple but important yoga mat care tip for longevity.

h5> Does the mat material matter for storage?

Yes, it does. Different materials (like PVC, TPE, natural rubber, cork) can react differently to heat, sunlight, and moisture. Natural rubber, for example, is more sensitive to sun and heat than PVC. Always check the care instructions that came with your specific mat for the best advice on yoga mat care tips and storage.

h5> What if my mat already has creases?

If the creases are light, try rolling the mat up in the opposite direction for a while. Sometimes laying the mat flat in a warm room (not hot!) can help. For deep creases caused by folding or crushing, they may be permanent and can be a form of yoga mat damage. Try the reverse rolling or flattening first.

Taking a few minutes to store your yoga mat the right way after each use, and doing a deeper clean before longer storage, will keep your mat in good shape. This means you get to enjoy your yoga practice fully for a long time on a mat that feels clean, smells fresh, and works as it should.