Water consciousness is becoming more important in recent years as the world has focused on sustainability. If you want a more sustainable home, you should know how to save water. What are your options?
You can save water at home by turning the tap off when it’s not in use, having quick showers, looking out for leaks, and fixing them ASAP if necessary. Also, avoid garbage disposals, lessen your use of sprinklers, and educate others in the household on efficient water usage.
It’s good to educate yourself on how to save water at home (which, in turn, can save you money). Read on to learn the most important details!
1. Turn the Tap off When Not in Use
It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of times people leave the tap on when they don’t need to (whether accidentally or on purpose).
Doing this daily increases water usage dramatically, increasing your water bills! Below are some activities where you might leave the tap on without needing to.
● Brushing your teeth
● Washing your face
● Washing your hands
Of course, water is necessary for the activities mentioned above. However, you don’t need it every second you brush your teeth or rub soap into your hands.
When you don’t need the water, turn the tap off. Then, once you need it again, turn it back on–it’s that simple!
Over time, developing these eco-friendly habits will save your household lots of water and money!
2. Have Quicker Showers
It’s no secret that having a long shower in the morning or evening is one of the simplest pleasures in life. However, having long showers every day can quickly become wasteful, so it’s best avoided.
You’d be surprised how quickly you can shower if you put your mind to it. While it’s nice to stand there, minute after minute, doing nothing while the water pours down, you should stick to washing yourself quickly and getting out.
Once you get into the habit of taking quick showers, it becomes easier. Those with short hair can wash thoroughly in the shower within three to five minutes. Those with longer hair can do it in as little as five to eight minutes.
3. Avoid Taking Baths
Baths use much water, so they’re usually a wasteful choice compared to showers.
Of course, this depends on how much water you use in the shower. For example, someone who takes a five-minute shower will likely use more water in the bath than in the shower.
On the other hand, someone who takes 30-minute showers might use as much or even more water in the shower than they would in a bath.
A standard, full bathtub uses approximately 70 gallons (265 liters) of water per use. A five-minute shower uses between 10 and 25 gallons (38 and 95 liters).
As you can see, a shower is usually the more eco-friendly (and time-efficient) option.
Of course, having the odd bath here and there is fine to treat yourself and relax, but it’s best to avoid having one too frequently.
4. Always Ensure the Taps Are Fully Off
While this is another tip that might seem obvious, you might sometimes fail to turn a tap entirely off. As a result, water will constantly drip until you turn the tap off.
The dripping doesn’t seem highly wasteful because it’s such a small amount of water. However, if you always accidentally leave the tap on often, the water wasted builds up over time.
Always watch (and listen) for dripping water in sinks. Then, every time you turn a tap off, pay close attention to ensure the water stops coming out and that there is no dripping. If you continue doing this, you could save a lot of water and money.
5. Always Look Out for Leaks Around the Home
One of the things that can cause a lot of water waste is a leak.
Hopefully, you don’t have any leaks, but always be on the lookout for them because they can become problematic and wasteful very quickly.
If you have a leak, the signs should become apparent in no time. Some of the main signs of a leak in the home include the following:
● Wet walls
● Dripping noises and water
● Mold growth
● Higher-than-usual bills
● Damp smells
A water leak cannot fix itself and may get worse over time, so the best thing to do is call a plumber at the first sign of a leak.
Once you get a leak under control, the signs should all disappear, and water bills will return to normal.
6. Reduce Toilet Flushing
One household activity that uses a lot of water but that we don’t think about too much is flushing.
In the UK (and most developed countries), flushing accounts for approximately one-third of total water consumption in a household. As you can imagine, that’s a lot of water!
The next time you blow your nose or use paper to clean something, throw it in the trash can beside the toilet rather than into the toilet itself.
That way, you won’t have to flush as much, which can save you a lot of money on water bills. Plus, it helps preserve water!
It’s also best to avoid overusing toilet paper because the more you use it, the more you’ll need to flush. Only use what’s entirely necessary and nothing more.
7. Consider a Dishwasher if You Don’t Have One
A dishwasher is often more efficient than hand-washing dishes because it uses less water. While this isn’t always the case, it is in most instances.
However, someone who uses water extremely sparingly when hand washing (i.e., always turning the tap off when scrubbing and only using a tiny bit of water at a time) might end up using less doing it this way compared to using a dishwasher.
So, consider taking a step back and thinking about how much water you usually use when hand-washing dishes.
If you realize you use lots of water each time, it might be worth investing in a dishwasher to save money.
When using a dishwasher, it’s important to fill it up before putting it on. Putting on a half-full dishwasher is wasteful and uses the same amount of water as a full load.
Of course, you also don’t want to overload it because that could prevent all dishes from getting properly cleaned.
8. Avoid Pouring Too Much Tap Water Into a Glass
Over time, pouring too much water into a glass without drinking it all can become wasteful.
If you find yourself constantly filling a glass with water and not finishing it, it might be time to start pouring less water into it. As a result, you won’t waste as much water or money.
An excellent way to combat this issue is to use smaller cups or glasses when pouring water. If the glass is too small, you only need to refill it as you go.
You could also purchase an insulated stainless steel water bottle, which can keep water cold for days, meaning you can drink it longer without throwing it out.
9. Reuse Water Where Possible
Reusing water is not always possible, but sometimes it makes economic sense.
For example, the water you’ve recently cooked with can often be reused for another cooking session later. You can also use this water to hydrate your plants.
Let’s say you’ve just boiled vegetables in a pot, and you want to boil rice later in the day. In that case, you only need to ensure the water is still clean and boil it again before cooking your rice!
Since cooking often involves a lot of water, reusing what you have can make a massive difference in the short and long-term!
10. Use Shower Water Wisely
Earlier, I mentioned the importance of having a quick shower to save water and money. However, there might be times when taking a quick shower isn’t possible.
For example, you may need to shave your legs or wait a few minutes for a hair mask to soak in before rinsing it.
In these cases, it’s best to turn the water off when not actively using it.
That way, you can stay in the shower and do what you must do without wasting anything. Once you’re ready to rinse your hair or wash the shaving foam away, turn the water back on!
11. Avoid Using the Garbage Disposal Where Possible
There’s no question that garbage disposals are incredibly useful and easy to use, so there’s certainly no shame in using yours!
Still, it’s best to avoid using them too often because you must also use a fair amount of water for them to work properly.
An alternative that doesn’t involve using lots of water would be to use a trash can.
You can also make a compost pile with certain foods rather than throwing them down the drain via the garbage disposal with water.
Water and wastewater bills are rising dramatically in the US, so doing everything you can to reduce usage will mean cheaper bills, including using the garbage disposal less.
12. Use an Eco-Friendly Shower Head
Something you might not think about when it comes to saving water and bills is the shower head you use.
Some shower heads use more water than others, so purchasing one that emits less water is good.
One of the most eco-friendly shower heads right now is a low-flow head.
One of the main benefits of a low-flow shower head is that it can decrease water usage by at least 40 percent, meaning you can save a decent amount of money when using one.
Of course, you might not get the same pressure as your current shower head, but it will still get the job done and save you money simultaneously!
13. Avoid Using the Washing Machine Too Frequently
If you prefer to put on multiple small washes instead of fewer larger washes, you may need to change your habits to save water and money.
Thankfully, due to strict federal standards, modern washing machines use less water than they used to.
Even if your washing machine is modern and highly efficient, it’s still vital that you fill each load to ensure you get the most out of the water it uses.
So, avoid half-filling the machine each time you put a wash on. It’s highly wasteful because you could wash twice the number of clothes with the same amount of water.
14. Avoid Using Hoses
This tip is particularly important to note during the summer when you’re more likely to be using a hose in the yard. Hoses use a lot of water, so look for alternatives whenever you can.
During the summer, reconsider whether or not it’s worth it to fill an inflatable pool with gallons upon gallons of water through the hose.
There could be more eco-friendly alternatives, like visiting a public pool or going to the beach for a swim if you’re near the coast.
When watering plants, avoid hoses because they emit too much water for what plants need. You can also use greywater for plants if it works for you.
Additionally, you could collect rainwater and use that for plants as needed.
You might also be tempted to use a hose (or a power washer) when cleaning the yard, but this activity uses a lot of water.
Instead, consider waiting for the rain to naturally wash away the dirt or use a large outdoor sweeping brush.
15. Make Use of Water You Don’t Want To Drink
If you have a bottle of water that’s half full, do something with it instead of throwing it away.
For example, put it in the dog or cat’s bowl or use it in the yard for a plant. Whatever you do, don’t just throw it away because it’s highly wasteful, especially if you make a habit of it.
Another thing you can do is put the bottle in the fridge so that you can return to it later without having to throw it away.
The fridge will keep the water nice and cool, so you’ll be happy to drink it when you get thirsty again.
16. Think Twice About Using Sprinklers
Sprinklers are sometimes necessary, especially during periods of drought when you want your grass and plants to stay alive and well.
However, you should consider the water used when the sprinklers are on and how much money you could save by switching them off when unnecessary.
You should remember to turn them off during rainy periods. When it rains, sprinklers are optional, so it becomes wasteful.
17. Talk to the Rest of Your Household About Water Usage
If you’re concerned about the water usage in your home and have roommates or family members living with you, consider speaking with them about it and giving helpful suggestions on how everyone can collectively contribute to a more eco-friendly environment.
For example, encourage everyone to be more conscious about how much time they spend in the shower or to take fewer baths during the week.
Educating the rest of your household on good water-saving habits can make a world of difference in the long run.
Be sure to mention all the tips discussed in this article because they will help tremendously!
18. Use as Little Water as Possible When Hand Wash Dishes
If a dishwasher is out of the question, there are ways to be more efficient while hand-washing dishes.
An excellent tip is to be quick and not let lots of water run from the tap if you don’t need it.
Start turning the tap off each time you scrub a dish, and only use a small amount of water to begin with.
You’ll notice that the dishes come out just as clean even though you’re not using much water.
19. Use the Same Mop Water for the Entire Home
When you mop the floor in your home, think about how many times you replace the water. If you replace it more than once, consider whether that’s a good choice in the long run.
Sometimes, changing the mop water while you’re using it is necessary. For example, the floor might be filthy, so replacing the water once it becomes highly discolored is best.
However, it’s good to use the same bucket of water for all the floors if it doesn’t become too dirty. Not only does this save water and money, but it also saves time and effort.
20. Only Use the Water You Need When Cooking
It’s easy to overfill a pot with water, but that quickly becomes wasteful! When boiling vegetables or using water for cooking food, don’t fill the pot with double the water needed.
Instead, measure the amount of water you need, and use no more.
Using more water than you need also means it’ll take a little longer to boil, so using as little as possible is highly beneficial.
Sources
Stanford Magazine: Shower or Bath?: Essential Answer | NI Direct: Saving water in the home | Compare the Market: Dishwashers vs. hand-washing | CBS News: Water costs are rising across the U.S. — here’s why | Brothers Plumbing: Shower Accessories & Hardware
Consumer Reports: Yes, Your Washing Machine Is Using Enough Water | Attainable Home: Gardening With Greywater: 5 Key Things to Know to Grow | Attainable Home: Rainwater Collection In Florida: Everything You Need to Know
