PowerWash Simulator: revision #17

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**PowerWash Simulator** is a relaxing cleaning simulation by FuturLab in which players run a power-washing business — blasting dirt and grime off vehicles, buildings and outdoor spaces until every surface is spotless, to the soothing sound of high-pressure water.[^1] It launched in Steam early access on 19 May 2021.[^2]

## Gameplay

Gameplay centers on the low-stress satisfaction of gradually restoring grimy locations to a sparkling finish. It can be played solo or in online co-op, with cross-platform multiplayer support.[^1]

## Development and release

About a week after the early-access debut, FuturLab announced a publishing partnership with Square Enix Collective.[^3][^2] The full 1.0 version launched on 14 July 2022, arriving day one on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.[^4][^1] PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch versions followed on 31 January 2023, launching alongside a free Tomb Raider Special Pack set around Croft Manor.[^5][^6]

The game became known for licensed "special pack" DLC — SpongeBob SquarePants, Back to the Future, Warhammer 40,000, Alice's Adventures, Shrek, and Wallace & Gromit among them.[^7] A sequel, *PowerWash Simulator 2*, self-published by FuturLab, released on 23 October 2025 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2, adding split-screen couch co-op.[^8]

## Reception

When FuturLab announced the PlayStation and Switch versions at Tokyo Game Show in September 2022, it reported 3 million players on existing platforms.[^9] The game is a standard-bearer for "chore-core" — the [[cozy-game|cozy]] pleasure of a task completed, shared with tidying games like [[A Little to the Left]].

## External links

- [Official website](https://powerwashsimulator.com)
- [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1290000/PowerWash_Simulator/)

[^1]: Valve. ["PowerWash Simulator"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1290000/) — Steam store data. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^2]: TheSixthAxis. ["PowerWash Simulator will be published by Square Enix"](https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2021/05/28/powerwash-simulator-will-be-published-by-square-enix/) — TheSixthAxis, 28 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^3]: Square Enix Collective. ["PowerWash Simulator — Let's Clean Up"](https://collective.square-enix-games.com/en_US/news/powerwash-simulator-announce) — Square Enix Collective, 27 May 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^4]: Xbox Wire. ["PowerWash Simulator is Ready to Clean Up with Game Pass"](https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2022/07/05/powerwash-simulator-is-here-to-clean-up-with-game-pass/) — Microsoft, 5 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^5]: Gematsu. ["PowerWash Simulator for PS5, PS4, and Switch launches January 31 alongside free DLC 'Tomb Raider Special Pack'"](https://www.gematsu.com/2023/01/powerwash-simulator-for-ps5-ps4-and-switch-launches-january-31-alongside-free-dlc-tomb-raider-special-pack) — Gematsu, January 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^6]: Xbox Wire. ["Clean Croft Manor: PowerWash Simulator Gets Free Tomb Raider DLC"](https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/01/31/clean-croft-manor-powerwash-simulator-gets-free-tomb-raider-dlc/) — Microsoft, 31 January 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^7]: FuturLab. ["PowerWash Simulator — official game page"](https://www.futurlab.co.uk/games/powerwash-simulator) — futurlab.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^8]: Pixelkin. ["PowerWash Simulator 2 release date revealed"](https://pixelkin.org/2025/10/07/powerwash-simulator-2-release-date-revealed/) — Pixelkin, 7 October 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^9]: FuturLab. ["PowerWash Simulator is Coming Soon to PS4, PS5 & Nintendo Switch"](https://www.futurlab.co.uk/news/powerwash-simulator-is-coming-soon-to-ps4-ps5-nintendo-switch) — futurlab.co.uk, September 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.