Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

PowerWash Simulator: 8 tips and tricks for beginners

Jon Bitner
By

PowerWash Simulator might sound like a terribly boring game, but it’s quickly becoming one of the most darling releases of 2022. Its relaxing gameplay lets you kick back and bask in the oddly satisfying feeling of restoring objects to their former glory, and there’s even a multiplayer mode so you can chill with your friends.

Learning the basics of PowerWash Simulator is simple. After all, you’re essentially just blasting away dirt with a super-powered hose. But if you’re looking to fast-track your power-washing career, here are a few tips and tricks to help you master the relaxing artform.

Recommended Videos

Further reading

Check your Job Details

Each location you’re tasked with cleaning in PowerWash Simulator is absolutely filthy. And if you’re looking to walk away with the best rating (and the most cash), you’ll need to blast away every inch of gunk. If you need some help figuring out what area to tackle next, be sure to consult the Job Details portion of your tablet. This offers a rundown of every item that needs to be cleaned, along with its current status.

Make liberal use of the Highlight ability

PowerWash Simulator player highlighting their surroundings.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Highlight ability (mapped to the right D-Pad on console) works in conjunction with your Job Details menu. This feature illuminates any remaining dirt, making it easy to see where you still need to put in some more elbow grease. It’s in your best interest to spam this button as often as possible. Since there’s no penalty for using it, savvy cleaners can use the ability to ensure they’re fulling cleaning each object before moving on to the next.

Aim Mode will help with the last bits of grime

If you’re working on a particularly tough bit of dirt, consider turning on Aim Mode (mapped to up on the D-Pad). This feature lets you stand in one spot and blast away with an added level of precision. It’s particularly useful for bits of dirt that are hiding inside small crevices, such as the interior of a motorcycle or in between fencing.

Spend your money wisely

The shop menu in PowerWash Simulator.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While most levels can be tackled with your basic assortment of nozzles, expert cleaners will want to upgrade their gear as soon as possible. You’ll need to be careful, however, as some items simply aren’t worthy of your cash. Soaps, for example, are typically more of a hassle than a help. Instead, try saving up for stronger Pressure Washers — these versatile tools help remove grime from every surface and make it easy to blast your way through each level in record time.

Change your nozzle

Your best bet to race through each level is by figuring out which nozzle works best on each object. Because of this, you’ll want to take a few seconds to experiment with all nozzles in your inventory when cleaning a new object. Some will work better than others (Yellow and Green are typically the best), but don’t be afraid to change them up if something else is more efficient.

Work on your positioning

Player washing a slide in PowerWash Simulator.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finding the right nozzle is only half the battle. Once you’ve figured out the right nozzle for the job, work on your positioning to optimize its spread. If you get too far away, you won’t have enough power to remove dirt. Get too close, and you won’t be maximizing the nozzle’s effective area. You’ll also want to rotate the nozzle based on the object you’re cleaning and your position relative to it — for example, trying to clean handlebars with a horizontal spray isn’t nearly as effective as a vertical one.

Job-hop when needed

Tackling a job that’s a bit much for your current repertoire of cleaning supplies? You’re free to dive into a special mission to earn extra cash or take on another job from your tablet. You can also purchase new supplies while in the middle of a job — so you don’t have to worry about running out of gear.

Dive into the Options menu

The options menu in PowerWash Simulator.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Aside from the usual assortment of sensitivity sliders, PowerWash Simulator has one unique option to check out — Dirt Details. Enabling this will tell you what type of dirt you’re aiming at and how much “health” it has left before it’s removed. If you find yourself up against a tough bit of grime, try turning on this feature to see how well your gear is performing. If the dirt isn’t taking much damage, consider upgrading to something stronger.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
PS Plus’ library is looking more like Game Pass’ in May lineup
Two cars race side-by-side in Grid Legends.

Sony revealed the next batch of three games that will be available throughout May 2023 as part of PlayStation Plus Essential. The lineup includes Grid Legends, Chivalry 2, and Descenders. All are very solid games in their respective genres, but interestingly, they are all also games that Xbox Game Pass subscribers will already have access to.
Grid Legends is the headlining game for this month, and it's a racing game from Codemasters where the standout feature is a story mode framed like a racing documentary with live-action interviews. While I had mixed feelings about the game and the mode when reviewing it last year, those looking for a basic but enjoyable racing game to tide them over until the next Forza Motorsport, Test Drive Unlimited, or The Crew can have some fun with it. If you're subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you're also able to play this game on that platform thanks to EA Play.

For those that are still in a sporty mood, Descenders is an enjoyable downhill biking game that'll scratch the same gaming itch as series like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater or Lonely Mountains: Downhill. Then, there's Chivalry 2, a very intense multiplayer game set in medieval times, which gives it a very welcome change in setting compared to many of its multiplayer peers. Both games are currently playable if you have an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, but will likely leave the service at a later date. 
If you are subscribed to both PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass, you will be fine skipping out on May's PS Plus Essential titles. If you only own a PlayStation console, though, or want to guarantee that you'll still have these games after they leave Xbox Game Pass, then definitely consider downloading them. These games will all be available with PS Plus from May 1 until June 6. Make sure you pick up April's PS Plus Essential games before May 1 as well. 

Read more
All Xbox One games with mouse and keyboard support
The protagonist of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla shouting in battle and wielding two axes.

While the last-gen Xbox One isn't as powerful as the Xbox Series X, it's still a worthwhile console and has a huge library of great games.

If you're looking to stay competitive while playing online multiplayer games versus next-gen console and PC players or are just looking to avoid some wonky console interface that's difficult to navigate, you may want to try using a keyboard and mouse with your Xbox One. A keyboard and mouse will give you better precision than your standard Xbox One controller so you can keep up in cross-platform games without shelling out money for a top gaming PC.

Read more
Xbox Game Pass new games: what’s new and what’s leaving in April 2023
Four players stand together in the 4v4 PvP mode of Minecraft Legends.

While Microsoft was been hit with criticism for the Xbox Series X's slow-growing exclusive lineup -- several highly anticipated titles like Bethesda's Starfield and co-op shooter Redfall have been pushed to later in 2023 -- the company is still delivering one of the best deals in gaming: Xbox Game Pass.

Game Pass gives gamers access to a massive library of games that includes throwback hits, brand-new titles on release day, and indie darlings. These games can be played on Xbox consoles, PC, mobile, and even Steam Deck.

Read more