Booting up PowerWash Simulator 2 for the first time can feel surprisingly overwhelming—especially if this is your first go at the series. There’s a lot of gear, grime, and oddly satisfying cleaning to get through, and it’s easy to feel lost at first. Don’t worry, though—we’ve been through that beginner’s panic already. Here are five tips to help your early hours flow smoothly (pun intended).
Don’t forget the soap
One of the earliest tools you’ll unlock is the soap sprayer—and trust me, it’s worth using. It might seem like an unnecessary extra step at first, but it becomes a game-changer once you start dealing with tougher dirt and baked-on grime in later jobs. Instead of constantly swapping between narrow nozzles to blast away stubborn stains, spray the surface down with soap and follow up with a wide nozzle. You’ll clear big sections faster and save yourself the frustration of micro-cleaning every corner.
It’s often better to make two quick passes than to waste time meticulously scrubbing one area with a tiny nozzle. Plus, seeing a whole wall sparkle at once is way more satisfying.
Commit to one washer line
PowerWash Simulator 2 gives you two main washer lines: the Prime Vista and the Urban X. Both have their strengths, but you’ll save a lot of money—and time—by sticking with one upgrade path instead of bouncing between them.
If you prefer using soap, go for the Prime Vista washers. They have wider nozzles that make it easy to cover large areas quickly. The Urban X washers, on the other hand, offer higher pressure at the cost of nozzle width. They’re great for precision work if you prefer raw power over coverage.
Whichever style fits your playstyle best, commit to it. Focusing your upgrades on one line lets you reach the heavy-duty washers much faster without wasting cash on equipment you won’t use.
Sell off your old gear
Speaking of saving money—don’t hoard your old washers. Once you’ve upgraded to a new one and you’re confident you won’t go back, sell your old equipment. It’s an easy way to get a nice boost of cash toward fully upgrading your new setup. There’s no reason to let that gear collect dust when it can help speed up your progress.
Save base decoration for co-op downtime
One of PowerWash Simulator 2’s new features is the base decoration system. While it’s a neat idea, it’s not exactly a must-play feature for solo players. Decorating your base feels more like something to do between missions rather than a core part of the game loop.
That said, it shines during co-op sessions—especially when your partner goes AFK or you’re waiting for a friend to hop in. It’s a nice way to pass time without breaking your rhythm. But when you’re playing alone, don’t feel pressured to spend much time on it; it’s mostly fluff content compared to the satisfying grind of cleaning.
Work in manageable sections
Big cleaning jobs can look intimidating, especially if you’re playing solo. When you load into a massive area like the Gas Station, it can feel like you’ll never finish. The best way to keep your sanity (and motivation) is to break the job into small, digestible chunks.
Here’s a good example of how to approach a large task:
Start with the smaller objects scattered around—signs, vending machines, tires, benches, etc. Cleaning these gives you some quick wins and naturally knocks dirt onto the larger surfaces you’ll tackle next.
Pick one focal point—for example, the big cactus sign at the gas station—and clean from the ground up. Starting low and working upward helps avoid re-spraying areas you’ve already cleaned.
Move through the environment systematically. Once you’ve handled the smaller details, work on major areas one at a time: floors, then doors and windows, followed by walls, roofs, and trim. Focusing on one section keeps you organized and makes the entire job feel more achievable.
By keeping things structured, you’ll avoid burnout and stay in that satisfying “cleaning flow” that PowerWash Simulator 2 is all about.
These five tips should help smooth out your early hours in PowerWash Simulator 2, cut down on unnecessary grind and play time, and keep you focused on what really matters—turning dirty chaos into sparkling perfection.
