How do you wash a yoga mat?!

"If your mat is lightly soiled, use a spray bottle, damp sponge, or terry cloth rag to apply a solution of two cups of water and four drops of dish soap. Rub the soiled areas. Wipe the mat with clean water; then rub with a dry cloth towel. Hang to air dry.

If your mat is heavily soiled, submerge it in a solution of warm water and mild detergent; use very little soap as any residue may cause the mat to become slippery during future use. Thoroughly hand wash the mat and rinse in clean water. After squeezing out the excess water, lay the mat on a dry towel and roll the mat and towel together. Stepping on the rolled up mat will squeeze more moisture out of the mat and into the towel. Then unroll and hang to air dry."

http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/631

Step1
Don't share your mat.

This is the first simple rule of avoiding a fungal or bacterial infection from a yoga mat. Buy your own mat and make it exclusively yours. Don't share it with anyone. Consider your yoga mat to be as personal as your toothbrush and you'll reduce your risk of contracting a nasty foot infection.

Step2
Use your washing machine.

Most people don't realize they can clean their mat in the washing machine. Use cold water along with a mild detergent and stop the dryer before it goes through the spin cycle. Once removed from the dryer, lay the mat out to dry completely before storing it. Avoid exposing your mat to heat as this can cause the fibers of the mat to break down.

Step3
Cleaning a slightly soiled mat.

If your mat only has light soiling and doesn't require a cycle through the washing machine, you can mix a cup of warm water with several drops of mild detergent to create a dilute, soapy mixture. Use a sponge to gently massage the soiled areas with your homemade solution. Follow up by sponging down with a sponge dampened in warm water. Allow your mat to dry thoroughly.

Step4
Clean it lightly after every use.

To keep your mat looking and smelling fresh, spray it lightly with a mat cleaning spray. To make your own all-natural mat cleaning spray, add three drops of tea tree oil, two drops of peppermint oil, and two drops of lavender oil to distilled water. Mix thoroughly and place the solution in a spray bottle. Spray your mat lightly after every use and wipe it down gently with a damp sponge.

Step5
Have a regular cleaning schedule.

To keep your mat looking and smelling great, have a regular cleaning schedule. In addition to spraying it after every use, place it in the washer every three to four weeks for a more thorough cleansing.

If it's been a year, just get a new mat and start over.

My last mat, I'd throw in the washing machine. It cleans it, but breaks it up allowing it to become more porous. After a while, it got very thin and stinky quickly.

I bought a thicker mat after a year and it didn't do well being thicker in the washing machine. I also found out about how it breaks it up so I stopped.

I usually air it out after class and spray it with either vinegar and water, or tea tree oil and water. It has been fine since. Dish soap also has been said to deteriorate the mat material as well, again making it more sponge-like, porous and a suitable host for bacteria.

I also use a Yogitoes towel, which allows the mat to be covered the entire class and soaks up most of the sweat. I never thought I'd by a $20 towel, but I'd rather have that towel than the nicest mat. It also keeps a problem from ever starting with your mat, and in my mind... good yoga.

Kylie has a good answer, I don't do hot yoga anymore, so mine don't get as funky. I just throw them in the tub with an inch or two of water, and a squirt of dishsoap, swish it around real well, let it soak a while, then take a washcloth - give it a once over on both sides, then swish, and rinse. It's trying to get it to the porch railing without dripping through every room of the house thats a challenge. :)

Easy, You can just wash it with cold water. Lay it flat in a plain surface, pour some running water and press it with your palms. When you see that the water from the mat is clear enough you can now hang it. Just allow the water to fall and never squeeze it,It will degrade the quality of your mat. More information regarding yoga mats here.

http://iyogamats.com/