How to Clean a Gaming Chair: A Tested Guide for All Materials and Colors

May 30, 2023

Now you may ask, “What can I use to clean my gaming chair?”

We’ve got the ultimate answer right here! In this carefully tried-and-tested guide, we’ve got you sorted with the exact techniques to clean every type of upholstery on your gaming chair.

Be it leather or fabric, white or pink chair, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions to clean your cherished throne meticulously from top to bottom. Also, we’ll reveal the best cleaning products for gaming chairs, tried and tested by us, of course.

But that’s not all! We’ll also equip you with essential tips for cleaning a gaming chair to ensure it remains clean and odor-free for an extended period. So, let’s dive right into the cleaning extravaganza!

In our quest to create the ultimate guide for cleaning gaming chairs, we embarked on a journey of trial and error. We made our own solutions tailored to different colors and materials of upholstery and also sought wisdom from our fellow gamers. Not to mention we surfed through online forums and Reddit like r/CleaningTips.

But we must confess, our path to perfection was not without its share of mishaps. A chair or two may have fallen victim to our ambitious experiments (don’t worry, they were battle-worn veterans, ready for retirement, hehe). Yet, from these experiments, we learned which methods genuinely eliminate stains and odors and which don’t.

Also, rest assured that all the cleaning products we mention in this guide have been tested vigorously and deemed safe for use. However, we must remind you to exercise caution by using them first in an inconspicuous area of your upholstery.

● Simulate Spills and Stains: We tested gaming chairs to simulate spills, stains, and odors from intense gaming sessions. The challenges included ink, grease, sauces, and wine. Not to mention we volunteered to clean and take out odors from our friend’s gaming chairs.

● Evaluated Cleaning Effectiveness: We documented observations and recorded outcomes of different cleaning techniques and products. Also, we assessed the effectiveness of each method in removing dirt, stains, and odors.

● Tested Different Materials and Colors: We also noted any potential limitations or drawbacks related to specific materials and colors of gaming chairs. Our team tested the best cleaning method for light-colored gaming chairs. We took care to include all popular upholstery materials such as leather, fabric, PU leather, mesh, and vinyl used in gaming chairs.

Alright, let’s kick off this cleaning spree right away! Begin by flipping your gaming chair upside down and wiping the caster wheels, as cleaning the upholstery first will risk getting dirty again.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool attachment to remove debris. Next, wipe the caster wheels with a cloth dampened with mild dish soap + water mixture, and use rubbing alcohol sparingly for crevices. Remove any moisture with a clean cloth.

Then follow the rest of the process for cleaning the gaming chair upholstery according to its material and color, which we’ve discussed in the below sections.

But before proceeding, make sure to check the care tag located at the back of your gaming chair. If the care tag shows an ‘S’ mark, you can only clean it using a dry cleaning solvent designed for that particular material.

For chairs with a ‘W’ mark, opt for the water and soap solution instead. In the case of chairs marked with ‘S/W’ or ‘W/S’, you can choose either. After cleaning the upholstery, wipe the chair’s armrest, base, and frame using a microfiber cloth dampened with the same mild dish soap + water mixture used for caster wheels. Dry the chair.

Cleaning leather gaming chairs requires extra care due to their higher sensitivity compared to PU leather. So, let’s begin by discussing how to clean leather gaming chairs before moving on to cleaning PU leather ones:

Use a soft brush attachment with the vacuum cleaner, set the machine to a low setting, and gently remove debris from the upholstery. A little tip here – use a cotton swab or toothpick for hard-to-reach crevices.

Also, move the vacuum in a circular motion, starting from the top of the chair and working your way down to avoid pushing dirt into the leather.

But vacuuming can only do so much. What about those pesky spots and how to get stains out of gaming chair? To remove the stains, we recommend trying out Lexol Leather Cleaner. It’s pH-balanced and effective against deep-rooted oil stains.

Spray the Lexol cleaner onto a clean microfiber cloth. Then gently blot the stained area with the rag in a circular motion, avoiding harsh rubbing. Finally, wipe away the cleaner with a clean, damp cloth. After cleaning, ensure the upholstery is dry using a clean and dry microfiber cloth, as leaving it wet will damage the leather.

Once the leather is clean, consider using a leather conditioner such as Lexol All Leather Conditioner Spray to maintain its softness and prevent drying.

Then, for PU leather, use a vacuum cleaner with a slightly firmer brush attachment, as it can handle more pressure.

But similar to genuine leather, use gentle strokes to remove debris from the surface and crevices. Also, you can vacuum PU leather in any direction.

PU leather doesn’t respond positively to the oil and wax content found in genuine leather cleaners. A mixture of mild dish soap like Dawn and warm water in a 1:2 ratio is effective for spot-cleaning PU leather gaming chairs. Too much soap can cause a buildup or damage to the material.

However, if stubborn stains persist, as we experienced with our Razer Enki X gaming chair, you can use a faux leather cleaner by Chemical Guys. It is a two-in-one cleaner + conditioner for cleaning, nourishing, and eliminating odors from PU leather. Then use a dry cloth to dab off the solvent gently.

Both mesh and fabric gaming chairs are pretty challenging to clean. Mesh has holes that can trap dirt and debris while getting stains out of fabric is a tough job. Also, you can’t use a solvent to wipe the entire fabric upholstery as you can with a mesh gaming chair. So, both materials require different cleaning techniques.

Clean mesh upholstery with a handheld vacuum and brush attachment. Use the vacuum in circular, vertical, and horizontal motions.

In addition, vacuum twice as the mesh has holes to trap debris. Also, pay extra attention to areas where the mesh meets the chair frame, as these areas are notorious for collecting dirt.

To clean mesh upholstery, gently dab with a microfiber cloth dampened with mild dish soap and water solvent in a 1:2 ratio. Avoid rubbing or wiping to prevent damage.

For grease stains, you can spot clean using Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. It is an environmentally friendly cleaner you can use by either diluting it with water if your chair has an ‘S/W’ tag. Otherwise, opt to use it in the concentrated form.

But test in an inconspicuous area first before spot-treating the stain with a microfiber cloth dampened with the cleaner. Then use a dry cloth to dab off the solvent gently. A little tip here – when cleaning a mesh chair, use minimal liquid to prevent moisture absorption.

For grease stains on fabric gaming chairs, sprinkle baking powder on the spots before vacuuming. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to absorb oil and odor. Then use a handheld vacuum with a brush attachment on a low setting to remove dirt, debris, and soda from the upholstery.

Before cleaning the upholstery, spot-treat stains to prevent them from spreading. Create a solvent by mixing ¼ cup vinegar + ¾ cup warm water + 1 tbsp of dish soap. Then, soak a microfiber cloth in the solution and dab it on the stain. Next, rinse the area with a cloth dampened with water only, and pat it dry.

For stubborn grease spots on your fabric gaming chair, create a paste using ¼ cup of baking soda and a few drops of water. Apply this paste to the stain and let it set for 15-20 minutes.

Use a vacuum brush attachment to remove the dried baking soda. If your chair has an ‘S’ tag, use an environmentally friendly solvent like Resolve Multi-Fabric Upholstery Cleaner to spot-clean. It is designed to clean fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and cotton blends.

Grab a microfiber cloth, dampen it with simple water to wipe any residue or cleaner from the upholstery, and pat dry.

Cleaning vinyl upholstery is much easier and faster compared to fabric gaming chairs, as you can wipe it clean with just a damp rag. However, if you require a more effective cleaning solution, it’s best to opt for gentle options.

We don’t recommend using acetone or ammonia-based cleaners. A mixture of mild dish soap and warm water will work fine on vinyl upholstery.

To begin cleaning, use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gently remove any debris from your vinyl gaming chair. For hard-to-reach areas, a duster or compressed air can come in handy. Afterward, dust the entire surface with a dry microfiber cloth to ensure a clean and streak-free finish before using a damp cloth.

Take a clean microfiber cloth and dip it into warm water. Squeeze out any excess water and use the damp cloth to wipe the vinyl upholstery softly.

To tackle tough stains on your vinyl gaming chair, create a solution by mixing warm water and mild dish soap in a 1:2 ratio. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution and gently spot-clean the stains.

For stubborn grease stains, we recommend using the Leather Honey Leather Cleaner. It is a versatile and non-toxic solvent suitable for cleaning leather, faux leather, and vinyl upholstery.

Light-colored gaming chairs, like white and pink ones, are more prone to stains and yellowing. Cleaning them requires caution with water-based solutions to prevent watermarks, and avoid vinegar altogether for leather chairs.

Start by vacuuming with a soft brush attachment for all pink and white gaming chairs, regardless of their material. Use a leather cleaning solution like Lexol Leather Cleaner for genuine leather and a faux leather cleaner by Chemical Guys for PU leather chairs.

If you’re wondering, okay, that’s for the leather and PU leather, but how do you clean a white mesh gaming chair? The answer is for all light-colored mesh and vinyl gaming chairs, you can use a mixture of warm water + mild dish soap.

Just remember to use a clean and white microfiber cloth dampened with the solvent to clean the pink and white upholstery. To remove stains on these materials, spot-clean with a clean and white microfiber rag dampened with a mixture of 1/2 cup linseed oil and 1/4 cup white vinegar.

This combination effectively removes various stains, including yellow spots, while balancing the potential dryness caused by vinegar. For white and pink fabric chairs with an ‘S’ care tag, spot-clean with Folex Carpet Spot Remover, an odorless, non-toxic solvent that tackles upholstery stains as well.

To get rid of stubborn marks, you can also invest in a BISSELL Little Green Pro Portable Stain Cleaner for your pink or white fabric chair. Load it up with warm water and the Folex solution and efficiently spot clean using its soft bristle brush.

This portable machine can suck excess solution and water so it won’t seep into the upholstery, causing dampness. But make sure your fabric chair has a ‘W’ or ‘W/S’ tag before using the BISSELL machine.

If gaming chairs are left unattended for a long time, they can collect dirt and develop unpleasant odors from sweat, body oils, and lack of ventilation. Fabric chairs, in particular, can harbor stubborn smells. In such cases, for deodorizing gaming seats, you can employ various methods and products we’ve covered below:

To deodorize your gaming chair, take it outside to avoid any mess. Then, evenly spread baking soda over the seating area and let it sit overnight for optimal results.

Afterward, dust off the baking soda and thoroughly vacuum the chair to remove any remaining residue. You can apply this deodorizing technique to all gaming chairs, irrespective of their material and color.

Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water by shaking them in a sprayer. Then, lightly spray your gaming chair’s seating area and head pillow with the solution. Use a clean microfiber cloth to gently pat the chair dry.

Finally, leave the chair in an open space or outside to allow fresh air circulation. Don’t worry about the vinegar smell, as it will go away after some time. Remember, this method is suitable for only fabric, mesh, and vinyl chairs labeled with a ‘W’ or ‘W/S’ tag.

Insufficient ventilation can lead to moldy smells and bacterial growth in your gaming chair. To address this issue, it’s advisable to take your chair outside to expose it to fresh air.

Find a shaded area that is not directly exposed to sunlight, and leave the chair there for a few hours before bringing it back indoors. This process helps to refresh the chair and eliminate unpleasant odors.

To eliminate odors from leather gaming chairs, we recommend using a leather conditioner such as Leather Honey Leather Conditioner. Apply it on the leather upholstery once or twice a month after cleaning. This helps maintain a protective coating on the material and keeps it smelling fresh.

You can use a steam cleaner to effectively eliminate odors from your gaming chair by using hot water and suction to remove dirt, bacteria, and unpleasant smells.

It works well on fabric gaming chairs with a ‘W’ or ‘W/S’ tag, and you can also use it on leather and PU leather with the same tags. However, it’s crucial to use steam cleaning in moderation to avoid any potential damage to the chair.

Another option to eliminate odors from your gaming chair is to use a deodorizer spray like Zero Odor Pro. This non-toxic and biodegradable spray is suitable for all materials and colors.

Unlike masking odors, it completely removes them at their source. However, testing the spray on an inconspicuous upholstery area is important before applying it to the entire chair.

You now know how to get the smell out of your gaming chair. But to keep it clean and odor-free for a long time, here are some gaming chair care tips and best practices:

● Regularly dust your gaming chair using a dry cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.

● Immediately spot clean spills to prevent stains from setting in. Use a clean, damp cloth to blot up the spill.

● Deep clean your chair every few months using a suitable cleaning method based on the chair’s material and color.

● Keep your chair in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold and mildew growth. Consider using a dehumidifier if necessary.

● Avoid smoking or eating near your chair to prevent the buildup of smoke and food particles.

● Cover your gaming chair with a sheet when it’s not in use to keep it safe from dust, dirt, and debris. If your gaming chair has fabric upholstery, a good practice is to sit on a sheet to protect it against body oils and sweat.

● Maintain good personal hygiene when using your gaming chair.

To clean your gaming chair, use a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water or white vinegar with warm water. But if the chair comes with an ‘S’ care tag, you can only use a dry cleaning solvent specifically designed for cleaning your gaming chair.

How often you clean your gaming chair depends on usage, environment, and dirt level. For a thorough cleaning to remove stains, deep dirt, and odors, aim for once a month. If you use the chair daily or eat and drink on it, consider cleaning it at least twice a month.

Yes, you can use baking soda to clean a fabric gaming chair. Baking soda acts as a natural cleaner and deodorizer and can help remove stains from the fabric.

Yes, you can use a steam cleaner to clean your gaming chair. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when using it, as prolonged exposure can damage the upholstery material. Avoid cleaning in one spot for long, and use a setting on the steam cleaner according to the material of your gaming chair.

You can effectively deodorize your gaming chair using baking soda. It works as a natural deodorizer by absorbing moisture and odors. Simply sprinkle baking soda over your gaming chair, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and then vacuum it up.

Armed with the knowledge and tested techniques provided in this guide, you now possess the power to restore your gaming chair to its former glory. Remember, a clean gaming chair not only enhances your gaming experience but also ensures a hygienic and comfortable environment.

So, don’t let dirt and grime take over your gaming domain. Take charge, follow our tried and tested strategies, and banish stains and odors, keeping your gaming throne clean and refreshed for a long time to come.

About Tracy Motz