IT is the green product which could revolutionise the way we wash up.

The days of buying detergent and ensuring water is hot before washing up could be over after Hampshire scientists created a product which could save households across country money on their energy bills.

StarStream which was invented and patented by the University of Southampton was awarded Product of the Year by Safe Successful and Sustainable Laboratories at a glitzy dinner in London.

The system, invented by researchers at the University of Southampton, makes water more efficient for cleaning by creating tiny bubbles which automatically scrub surfaces.

Research showed that using StarStream reduced power bills by producing up to 97 per cent energy savings compared with current commercial products and it can collect the used water and recycle it which produces up to 99 per cent water savings.

It can also work without having to add detergent to water, which reduces costs and also minimises the risk of run-off polluting groundwater and streams, and helps the task of turning used water back into safe drinking water.

Now the product is in commercial production by Ultrawave Ltd, which is one of the largest manufacturers of ultrasonic cleaning equipment in the UK.

It comes after it was previously recognised at the 2012 Institute of Chemical Engineer Awards for its potential to cut energy costs and reduce water usage.

Professor Tim Leighton from the University of Southampton’s Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, who co-developed StarStream, said: “We are extremely pleased with the performance of StarStream and the partnership with Ultrawave Ltd. It has been a very long road from the initial idea to such a product.”