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Designing an ergonomic, all-in-one power dish scrubber to reduce strain during cookware cleaning.

REVLO

PROBLEM

Non-dishwasher-safe cookware makes everyday cleaning physically demanding.

Many types of cookware, such as cast iron, large pots, and nonstick pans, must be hand-washed to avoid damage. This makes cleaning physically demanding and time-consuming, especially for users with joint pain, fatigue, or limited grip strength.

Grip Strain

Image by Mohammed Raihan

Manual scrubbing requires grip strength (challenging for those with arthritis or carpal tunnel).

Tedious Process

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Dishwashing is often delayed due to its tedious, time consuming nature.

Not Dishwasher-Safe

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Large pots, cast iron, and skillets are often hand washed to prevent damage.

HOW MIGHT WE

Design an ergonomic, all-in-one dish cleaning tool that reduces physical strain and simplifies cookware cleaning while remaining useful for all?

CONTEXUAL INQUIRY

I visited three home kitchens to observe dish-cleaning habits and how current tools support or fail users.

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Karla, Age 66

  • Cooks daily, often two meals at once.

  • Hand-scrubs cast iron and large pots.​

  • Soaks cookware to loosen residue.

  • Interested in a tool that reduces effort and saves time.

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Amy, Age 46

  • Cooks daily meals for her family.​

  • Scrubs cast iron and stuck-on messes.

  • Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

  • Struggles with grip and hand fatigue.

  • Avoids tools that are hard to clean or store.

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Susie & Anaiah, Age 79 & 13

  • Bake together using mixers and pans.

  • Tools are often too heavy.

  • Unplugging, drying, and storing takes time.

  • Attachments and spouts are hard to clean.

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SHARED PATTERN ACROSS USERS

Manual scrubbing is uncomfortable for users across generations. Many put off cleaning because it takes too long and want a faster, more comfortable solution.

THE EXISTING SCRUBBING EXPERIENCE

Gather Dishes

Activate Scrubber

Apply Water

Apply Soap

Scrub Pan

Manual Spot Removal

Dry Pan

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COGNITIVE

  • Decide which dishes need cleaning.

  • Recall how to operate scrubber.

  • Remember to loosen debris with water.

  • Judge amount of soap needed.

  • Identify areas needing more attention.

  • Decide when manual intervention is needed.

  • Confirm pan is fully clean.

PHYSCIAL

  • Press power button.

  • Hold scrubber.

  • Turn on faucet.

  • Rinse surface.

  • Squeeze bottle.

  • Add soap.

  • Move scrubber across pan.

  • Use fingernails to scrape residue.

  • Move pan out of sink.

PAIN POINTS

  • Overwhelm from large pile.

  • Heavy pans strain wrists.

  • Slippery surfaces increase drop risk.

  • Accidental power button presses during scrubbing.

  • Strain on joints.

INTERNALS ANALYSIS

Electric dish scrubbers are structured around a central power core.

This drives form, weight, and how users interact with the product.

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MARKET LANDSCAPE & DESIGN CRITERIA 

Innovations

Finger Molded Handle

Drip-Catching Docking Station

Swivel Cleaning Head

Built-in Scraper

Must Have

Interchangeable Cleaning Pads

Motorized Assist

Quick-Release Pad Mechanism


Nice to Have

Color Variety Options

Built-In Soap Dispenser

Integrated LED Display


These findings directly informed the design criteria, separating features into innovations that differentiate the product, must-haves required to stay competitive, and optional nice-to-have additions.

Analysis of hundreds of Amazon reviews revealed gaps in current electric dish scrubbers.

IDEATION

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CONCEPT INTEGRATION

The moldable handle of Concept 1 was applied to the form of Concept 2 to create a more ergonomic solution.

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CONCEPT 1

  • Moldable handle for custom grip and comfort.

  • Integrated display.

  • Power button.

  • Scraper attachment.

  • Interchangeable brush heads.

CONCEPT 2

  • Circular, angled form for improved reach and control.

  • Integrated display.

  • USB charging.

  • Ball-joint connection for multi-directional movement.

  • Scraper attachment.

  • Interchangeable brush heads.

FORM ANALYSIS

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Too Slim

Finger grooves lack definition and the handle feels too slim.

Unbalanced

Overall size feels small and the attachment piece feels off.

Wrist Strain

The curve strains the wrist, though the length provides reach.

Natural Fit

The angle feels natural during use and provides a secure grip.

Slightly Bulky

Slightly oversized but visually clean and cohesive.

Good Pressure

The tilt improves force and allows for a sharper scraping action.

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3D EXPLORATION

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Small changes in curvature and proportion greatly affected comfort and control.

In-hand testing guided iterative changes to improve design effectiveness and comfort.

FINAL PROTOTYPE

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Prototype of the dish scrubber, featuring five interchangeable brush head attachments.

RENDERS

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