Power-washing, pool-cleaning and mowing: Why millions are playing games about mundane jobs

Power-washing, pool-cleaning and mowing: Why millions are playing games about mundane jobs

PowerWash Simulator immerses players in the act of cleaning, requiring them to don gear and hose down various dirty environments until they gleam with cleanliness. Though its premise appears unconventional, the 2021 debut has attracted over 17 million players worldwide. A 2025 sequel recently earned nominations for two Bafta Games Awards, joining a growing trend in the simulation genre where repetitive, everyday tasks become the focus of gameplay.

Mundane job simulators offer a calming escape, letting players engage in tasks that feel both familiar and oddly satisfying. Kirsty Rigden, CEO of Brighton-based FuturLab, which developed PowerWash Simulator, likens the experience to Graham Norton’s talk show. “We aim to create the Graham Norton of video games,” she explained to BBC News. “It doesn’t demand intense thinking, but it leaves you feeling relaxed and content.”

“Graham Norton doesn’t make you feel stupid, but you also don’t have to think too hard,” Rigden added. “It engages the right amount of brain and at the end of it you go, ‘Oh, that was really pleasant.'”

The genre’s appeal lies in its soothing repetition. In PowerWash Simulator, players tackle one grimy zone after another—such as a fun house or a roller disco—following a rinse-and-repeat pattern. “It resonates with how people are feeling in today’s world,” Rigden noted. “The game lets you focus on a single task, blocking out distractions. It’s a pure form of meditation.”

Social media has fueled this trend, with influencers showcasing their cleaning routines to large audiences. FuturLab’s series isn’t the only example; Lawn Mowing Simulator, which lets players manage a British countryside lawn care business using real-world lawnmowers, also taps into this niche. A sequel set in American trailer parks and town hall gardens is in development.

David Harper, founder of Liverpool-based Skyhook Games, highlighted the game’s role as a mental escape. “It’s about transforming chaos into order,” he said. “Players start with a messy scene, learn to tidy it, and end with a sense of accomplishment.”

These games have become a favorite among streamers and content creators. A 2021 video of US creator Markiplier playing PowerWash Simulator now has over nine million views. Comedian and games journalist Ellie Gibson, who streams the game on Twitch, described its effect as akin to the tranquility of coloring books or knitting. “You get the finished result of a clean monster truck, rather than a scarf,” she joked.

“The calming and soothing nature of the game is similar to what people get from colouring books or knitting,” Gibson said. “You get the finished result of a clean monster truck, rather than a scarf.”

Both Rigden and Harper reported that players often reach out to share how their games helped during tough times. “Hearing how our game has helped players with anxiety and mental health has been really rewarding,” Harper stated. Rigden noted that some fans even credited the game with aiding them through cancer treatments.

PowerWash Simulator was the subject of an Oxford University study exploring its impact on wellbeing. In March 2023, over 8,600 players logged their moods every 10 minutes using pop-up prompts. The research revealed that 72% of participants experienced a mood uplift during gameplay, underscoring the genre’s therapeutic potential.