Wash the Mat Unlike regular yoga mats, Bennd yoga mats don’t need to be cleaned as often because of their natural properties. Instead, wash your mat once a month or less depending on your activity. Hand Wash the Mat To hand wash the yoga mat, put 2 tsp of soap nut powder in the cotton pouch (this comes with the mat). After making a lather and washing by hand, rinse the mat with a hose and ensure all the extra soap nut is gone. To dry, place in a shady spot to avoid direct sunlight. Machine Wash the Mat To machine wash, place the mat in a high efficiency washer. Set the water to cold and the cycle to hand wash. Wipe Down and Dry the Mat After completing a wash, be sure to wipe down your mat with a damp cloth before hanging to dry. How Long Do the Herbs Stay Active? The ayurvedic herbs included in the mat stay active for up to 24 washes, meaning yogis who wash their mat once a month can enjoy the herbs for up to two years. Warning: Placing in direct sunlight or washing with commercial detergents will weaken the integrity of the product.