This yoga mat is woven from certified organic cotton ... Katie Okamoto/NYT Wirecutter My heel left a dent in the front of the mat from a backward dragging action while I did a dynamic stretch ...

However, if you practice outside of your home at a yoga studio where your mat may be exposed to more dirt and germs, the front and back of your yoga mat should be cleaned more frequently ...

On the care front, it's recommended you store the mat rolled up, don't leave it in direct sunlight and avoid soap or chemicals when cleaning (here are more tips on how to clean a yoga mat).

Your yoga mat goes through a lot when you're practicing mindfulness. With all the dead skin cells and sweat, it can get pretty gross pretty fast. When's the last time you wiped down yours?