How to Care for Your Sim Racing Apparel: T-Shirts and Hoodies

Quick answer

Wash GSI tees and hoodies cold, inside-out, on a gentle cycle with similar colors, then air dry or tumble on low. The Center Logo Hoodie label says exactly that: flip it inside-out before washing and machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with similar colors. Skip hot water, high heat, and fabric softener, and your prints and fit will hold up far longer.

Sim racing apparel takes a specific kind of abuse. You sit in it for hours, lean into a wheel, and work up heat during long stints. That means sweat, friction against your rig, and frequent washing, which is exactly the combination that fades prints and breaks down fabric if you treat your gear like a regular laundry load.

The good news is that sim racing apparel care is simple once you know the handful of rules that matter. This guide walks through an ordered routine for t-shirts and hoodies, with the one mistake to avoid at each step, so your GSI gear keeps its print, shape, and comfort through season after season.

Why sim racing apparel needs its own routine

Racing apparel spends more time in contact with your body and rig than most casual clothing. Shoulders and forearms rub against seat edges, and the fabric near your chest and back absorbs sweat during long sessions. That moisture and friction accelerate wear on prints and seams, so the priority is protecting the surface of the garment rather than blasting it clean with heat.

Heat is the main enemy of both printed graphics and cotton-blend fabrics. Hot water and a hot dryer shrink fibers, set stains, and crack prints. Cold water with a gentle cycle removes sweat and odor just as effectively while leaving the print and the fit intact, which is why every step below leans toward lower temperatures and less agitation.

• Wash after two or three wears, not after every single session, unless the garment is visibly soiled.
• Keep racing apparel out of loads with zippers, velcro, or hardware that can snag fabric.

The wash-and-dry sequence that protects prints and fit

Treat the process as a fixed order: empty pockets, turn the garment inside-out, sort by color, wash cold on gentle, then dry low or air dry. Each step removes a specific risk. Turning the garment inside-out puts the print against itself instead of against the drum, and sorting by color prevents dye transfer from darker pieces onto lighter ones.

The drying step is where most people undo their good work. High heat is what shrinks a cotton-poly blend and cracks a print that survived the wash. If you have the space, air drying flat or on a line is the safest option. If you use a machine, low heat and a shorter cycle keep the fabric stable without leaving it damp.

• Use a mild detergent and skip fabric softener, which leaves residue that dulls fabric and prints.
• If a stain is stubborn, spot treat it before washing rather than washing twice at a higher temperature.

Storing and rotating your racing apparel

Storage matters less than washing, but it still shapes how long a hoodie or tee looks sharp. Fold hoodies and tees rather than hanging them by the collar, which stretches the neckline over time. Keep them out of direct sunlight for long stretches, since UV exposure fades prints even when the garment is not being worn.

If you race several nights a week, rotating between two or three pieces gives each garment time to fully dry and relax between wears. That reduces the number of washes per garment per month, which is the single biggest factor in how long prints and fabric last.

• Let a worn hoodie air out overnight before folding it back into the drawer.
• Keep a dedicated race-night layer so your everyday clothes are not absorbing rig friction.

Your step-by-step apparel care routine

1. Step 1: Empty pockets and check the garment: Turn pockets inside out, remove anything left in them, and check seams and prints for damage before the garment goes anywhere near water. Mistake to avoid: washing without checking, which can send a pen, cable tie, or loose hardware through the drum with your hoodie.
2. Step 2: Turn the garment inside-out: Flip tees and hoodies inside-out so the printed surface faces inward. This is the step the Center Logo Hoodie label calls out specifically before washing. Mistake to avoid: skipping this step, which lets the drum and other garments rub directly against the print.
3. Step 3: Sort by color and fabric weight: Wash similar colors together and keep heavy hoodies separate from lightweight tees where possible, so agitation is even across the load. Mistake to avoid: mixing new dark pieces with light tees, which risks dye transfer in the first few washes.
4. Step 4: Wash cold on a gentle cycle: Use a mild detergent and select cold water with a gentle cycle, exactly as the Center Logo Hoodie care label instructs. Skip fabric softener. Mistake to avoid: reaching for hot water or a heavy-duty cycle to fight odor, which is what cracks prints and shrinks cotton blends.
5. Step 5: Dry low or air dry: Air dry flat or on a line when you can. If you use a machine, choose low heat and pull the garment out slightly before it is bone dry. Mistake to avoid: high heat and long dry cycles, the fastest way to shrink a hoodie and dull a print.
6. Step 6: Fold, rotate, and repeat: Fold rather than hang by the collar, and rotate two or three pieces so each one rests between wears. Wash only when the garment actually needs it. Checkpoint: if prints still look crisp and cuffs still snap back after a season, your routine is working.

GSI apparel care facts

• Center Logo Hoodie: Midweight pullover made from 70% cotton and 30% polyester, with ribbed cuffs, a lined hood, and metal eyelets for the drawstring. Care instructions: flip inside-out before washing, then machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with similar colors. The cotton-poly blend responds well to cold, gentle washing and low drying heat. Following the label keeps the ribbed cuffs from stretching and protects the print on the chest.
• "System" AeroFlex Long Gloves: Lightweight, breathable poly-spandex gloves with a grippy silicone surface pattern on the palms and fingers, plus touchscreen compatibility for GSI wheels. Gloves sit between your hands and the wheel, so they absorb sweat that would otherwise reach your hoodie cuffs and sleeves. Wearing them during long sessions means less frequent washing for your apparel.

Sim racing apparel care comes down to cold water, gentle agitation, low heat, and a little patience. Follow those four rules and your GSI tees and hoodies will keep their print, fit, and softness through every season of racing.