A son’s innovation: How ‘Quick Clean’ is redefining affordable home technology

In an age where technology-driven conveniences have become an integral part of urban households, access to such comforts remains a distant dream for many middle-class families. For one young student, however, the daily struggle of his mother became the driving force behind an innovation that blends empathy, sustainability, and ingenuity.

Belonging to a modest middle-class household, the young innovator watched his mother endure physical strain every day while washing utensils—a task made particularly demanding by the grease and heavy spices characteristic of Indian cooking. While dishwashing machines have significantly eased this burden for many families, financial limitations meant that purchasing one was simply not an option for his household.

Rather than accepting the situation, the student decided to act. Motivated by concern for his mother’s well-being, he set out to build a dishwashing machine on his own at home. The result was “Quick Clean,” a cost-effective, energy-efficient dishwashing solution designed to reduce manual labour while remaining accessible to families with limited means.

What makes the achievement particularly notable is that the creator is a student from the arts stream, with no formal technical or engineering background. Relying on determination, self-learning, and perseverance, he successfully developed a fully functional machine—challenging conventional notions of innovation being limited to technical disciplines.

The Quick Clean machine is designed to operate on both solar energy and conventional electricity, keeping monthly power consumption remarkably low—between ₹80 and ₹100, even with regular use. This dual-power capability not only makes the machine economical but also aligns it with the broader goal of promoting green and renewable energy.

Functionality has been a key focus of the design. The machine can be used in both automatic and manual modes, offering flexibility depending on user preference. In automatic mode, a single press of a button enables the machine to clean utensils thoroughly within 10 minutes. In manual mode, the process is significantly faster and less strenuous than traditional hand washing, thanks to dual scrubbers that replicate the motion of brushing utensils by hand.

Addressing hygiene concerns, the machine is equipped with a UV chamber and UV light, ensuring utensils are rendered bacteria-free after every wash. A drying system further enhances convenience by eliminating the need for manual drying.

Additional features include built-in lights to facilitate utensil washing at night, an advanced sensor system that improves safety and ease of operation, and an automatic dishwash liquid dispensing mechanism, reducing effort and ensuring efficient cleaning with minimal wastage.

Beyond its technical features, Quick Clean stands as a deeply personal innovation—one rooted in a son’s desire to ease his mother’s daily hardships. At the same time, it reflects a growing consciousness around sustainability, affordability, and inclusive innovation.

The young creator hopes that the machine will not only make a meaningful difference in his own household but also inspire wider adoption of low-cost, eco-friendly solutions that address everyday challenges faced by millions of families across the country.