While we’re all at home more than we usually find ourselves, we might find that some of our monthly bills are rising, and that includes our water usage. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand the magnitude of water consumption, whereas purchasing items that don’t use plastic is a more visible and tangible experience. However avoiding water waste can be very simple; the main focus is becoming more mindful of your choices throughout the day. Saving water is crucial to avoid further polluting our water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With this list of 5 ways to save water, we’re sure that you’ll be able to find easy ways to reduce your intake and help keep the planet cleaner.
- Run the dishwasher only when its full
This is a great tip for those with smaller households. Although it may seem more convenient to run the dishwasher when you only have a few plates circulating at a time, you are wasting a lot of water (not to mention electricity!) each time. Did you know, you can save 1000 gallons of water each month by running your dishwasher only when it is full? Crazy!
2. Collect your running water
Need to water your plants and hate getting in the shower while it’s still cold? This is the tip for you! Make sure you keep a bucket on top of your drain to catch the cold water so it doesn’t go unused. You can also use it to add to your soap in the kitchen, wash your plants, or even to clean the floors.
3. Time your shower
Jumping off the same theme as the previous tip, make sure you’re timing your showers! Have all of your soaps and skin washes ready to go before you turn the water on to reduce unused water. Having a 2-5 minute shower can not only greatly reduce your water bill, but it can save you thousands of gallons in a year. Furthermore, save baths for a special day if you can- a full bathtub needs 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower only uses 10-25 gallons.
4. Use an electric kettle or pot on the stove
If you need hot water while cooking or cleaning but your tap takes a long time, heat up some water on the stove or invest in an electric kettle. The main idea is not to stop you from using water all together, but to keep unused water out of your drain. While we’re on the topic of cooking, defrost your food in the fridge rather than using hot water. Not only does it save unnecessary water waste, it’s easier than pulling out extra bowls to get the same job done.
5. Don’t flush down that random tissue!
Instead of flushing down random bits in the toilet you find around your bathroom, make sure they go in the bin instead, or compost if possible. It’s important to avoid flushing unnecessarily and only flush when needed. You can also consider investing in a dual flushing toilet, which allows you to choose between two different settings to avoid using a full flush of unused water.
Saving water doesn’t have to be a tedious task. In fact, it may save you both time and money throughout your day just by doing things a little differently. What are your tips for reducing your water waste?