Power-Washing, Pool-Cleaning and Mowing: Why Millions Are Playing Games About Mundane Jobs

Since its 2021 release, the game PowerWash Simulator has sold over 17 million copies, offering players a unique experience of tackling dirt with high-pressure hoses and scrub brushes. The sequel, launched in 2025, recently earned nominations for two Bafta Games Awards. These titles belong to a rising genre of “mundane job simulations,” where players engage in repetitive, everyday tasks like cleaning, mowing, or organizing.

The Appeal of Calm Repetition

Kirsty Rigden, CEO of Brighton-based FuturLab, which developed PowerWash Simulator, describes the game as aiming to capture the essence of Graham Norton’s talkshow. “It’s not about adrenaline—it’s about comfort,” she said. “You don’t have to think too hard, but it still feels satisfying.” This approach resonates with a world increasingly burdened by stress, as Rigden explained: “The game provides a focused escape, blocking out distractions and offering pure relaxation.”

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

From YouTube Inspiration to Virtual Reality

Rigden’s fascination with YouTube videos of power washing sparked the idea for the game, highlighting the simplicity of transforming grime into gleam. Social media platforms are flooded with influencers sharing content on cleaning tasks, and FuturLab’s series is just one example of this trend. Meanwhile, Lawn Mowing Simulator lets players manage a British landscaping business, using real-world lawnmowers. A new version is set to take on American settings, including “trailer parks and town hall gardens.”

Streamers and Stress Relief

David Harper, founder of Liverpool-based Skyhook Games, noted that players often use these games as a mental escape. “It’s about the satisfaction of starting with chaos and ending with order,” he said. The relaxing rhythm of such games has made them a favorite among YouTubers and Twitch streamers, who can chat with audiences without intense focus. A 2021 video of US creator Markiplier playing PowerWash Simulator has amassed over nine million views.

“You get the finished result of a clean monster truck, rather than a scarf,” Gibson added, contrasting the game’s outcomes with traditional crafts like coloring or knitting.

Research and Real-World Impact

Ellie Gibson, a comedian and games journalist, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted gameplay of PowerWash Simulator—24 hours, six minutes, and 33 seconds. She described the game’s meditative quality, likening it to the tranquility of coloring books. Similarly, Oxford University conducted a study exploring how these games affect wellbeing. Over 8,600 players tracked their mood every 10 minutes while playing a modified version of the game, revealing that 72% reported feeling more uplifted.

Both Rigden and Harper have received numerous messages from players thanking them for the games’ therapeutic value. “Hearing how our game helped someone through cancer treatment is incredibly rewarding,” Rigden shared. Harper echoed this, noting that many use the games to manage anxiety and mental health challenges. As the genre grows, it’s clear that the simple act of cleaning a virtual world can offer real-world solace.