To clean a sim racing seat, vacuum it first, then wipe the surface with a slightly damp microfibre cloth and a mild cleaner, and let it air dry fully before you race again. Removable cushion covers go in the wash on a gentle cycle. Suede and leather need a softer touch: little water, a soft brush and no harsh chemicals. A short routine every few weeks keeps the seat fresh, firm and comfortable for years.
Long sessions mean sweat, dust and the odd snack crumb. On Reddit you see the same question again and again: how do you clean a seat that smells after a season of hot laps? The good news is that it takes less effort than you think, once you know what your seat is made of.
Why does a sim racing seat get dirty so fast?
A racing seat sees more body contact per hour than almost any chair in your home.
In a real race car you sit still while the car moves. In a simulator you push hard on the brake, brace against the side bolsters and hold the same posture for an hour or more. That pressure pushes sweat and skin oils into the fabric. Add a warm room and a screen close to your face, and the seat absorbs moisture every single session.
Dust is the second enemy. A sim rig often stands in a spare room or an attic, so dust settles on the seat between sessions. When it mixes with sweat, it forms a thin grey film. That film makes suede feel flat and makes leather look dull.
Know your materials first
Before you grab a cloth, check what your seat uses. Most sim seats combine a shell, foam and a cover. The shell is steel, fibreglass or composite. The cover is fabric, suede, leather or a mix. The cleaning method follows the cover, not the shell.
How do you clean fabric and memory foam cushions?
Removable cushions are the easiest part of any seat to keep fresh.
Every SIMGASM Atlas seat comes with a complete set of washable memory foam cushions. Memory foam is a dense foam that slowly takes the shape of your body under heat and pressure. That makes it comfortable for long stints, but it also holds moisture longer than a cheap open foam. So never soak the foam core itself. Remove the cover, wash it on a gentle, cool cycle and let it air dry. Do not put it in a hot dryer, because heat shrinks many covers.
SIMGASM | Seat Cushion Set for Atlas GT
A spare set saves race day
A smart trick for heavy users is a second cushion set. You swap the clean set in, wash the used set and never sit on a damp seat. The SIMGASM cushion sets come in black, white, blue, red and orange, so a spare also gives you a quick new look. If your back aches after long sessions, read how to avoid back pain in a sim racing seat as well, because a flat, worn cushion often plays a part.
How do you clean suede and leather?
Suede and leather look premium, but they react badly to too much water.
Start with a vacuum and a soft brush. Brush suede gently in one direction to lift the fibres and remove surface dust. Then put a small amount of suede or upholstery cleaner on a microfibre cloth, never straight on the seat. Dab the dirty area, do not scrub. For leather, use a mild leather cleaner and finish with a thin layer of leather conditioner every few months. That keeps the surface soft and stops small cracks.
The Core seats show why this matters. The Core Recline Seat uses a combination of leather and suede. Clean each zone with the right product, and keep the cleaner off the seams, where liquid soaks in fastest.
SIMGASM | Core Recline Seat - Black
What should you never use?
Skip bleach, strong degreasers, alcohol on suede and a pressure washer. Also avoid a steam cleaner on memory foam, since the heat and moisture stay trapped inside. If you are unsure, test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
How do you keep the shell and frame in good shape?
Cleaning is also the perfect moment for a quick technical check.
Wipe the shell with a damp cloth. While you are there, check the bolts that hold the seat to the brackets or the slider. A seat that moves a few millimetres under braking slowly loosens its bolts and starts to creak. Our guide on why your seat creaks and moves under braking shows what to tighten.
This kind of attention to detail is part of how SIMGASM designs its products. Founder and CEO Johan Akkerman started his career as a technical specialist and workshop manager for brands such as Mercedes Benz and Jaguar. He still races in real motorsport and won the DNRT BMW E30 Cup in 2023 and 2024. That background shows in the Atlas range: the shell and cushions are designed as one system, and the cushions come off for cleaning or a colour change.
SIMGASM | Sim Racing Seat Atlas Gran Turismo - Black
How often should you clean your seat?
A simple schedule keeps the job small and the seat fresh.
After every session, leave the seat open to the air for a while, so moisture escapes. Every week, vacuum and brush the surface. Every month, wipe the cover with a damp cloth and check the bolts. Every few months, wash removable covers and condition any leather. If you race daily in summer, do the monthly steps more often. A light shirt and a fan pointed at your chest also help, because less sweat means less cleaning. Want a seat that stays cooler from the start? See which seat material stays the coolest.
Planning a new seat? Then pick one with covers you remove easily. Compare the options in our sim racing seats range, where both Core and Atlas models are listed with their materials.
Questions and answers about cleaning a sim racing seat
These short answers cover what sim racers ask most about seat care.
Can you put memory foam in the washing machine?
No. Wash only the removable cover on a gentle, cool cycle. Air out the foam core and spot clean it with a slightly damp cloth.
How do you get the sweat smell out of a sim seat?
Wash the covers, air the seat after each session and sprinkle a little baking soda on fabric zones, then vacuum it after a few hours.
Are SIMGASM Atlas cushions washable?
Yes. Every Atlas seat ships with a complete washable memory foam cushion set, and spare sets are sold separately in several colours.
Does cleaning affect the warranty?
Normal care with mild products is part of using a seat. SIMGASM seats carry a standard 2 year warranty, so ask support when you doubt a product.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
