It can be too easy for us to ignore the amount of water that we, as human beings, use on a day-to-day basis. It is time to stop ignoring the growing need to conserve water. Taking the time to learn how you can contribute to saving water can go a long way toward improving the overall quality of life, as well as saving the planet. Here are 20 ways to conserve water that you can start implementing today.
1. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Simply doing this every time you brush your teeth can save you gallons of water each month.
2. If you water your lawn, try to establish a morning watering routine. Waking up earlier than normal to water the lawn isn’t the most glamorous idea, especially for those of us who are extremely busy. But watering in the morning will prevent your lawn from losing water due to evaporation. It can also promote overall productivity during the rest of the day.
3. Fix leaky faucets and pipes throughout your home. Take one day out of every month to inspect all the pipes in your home. It should only take 5-10 minutes out of your day, and this not only saves water, it also helps prevent your home from undetected water damage.
4. Getting out of the shower 1-3 minutes earlier than usual is something each and every one of us should be doing. How many times are we standing under the shower head just letting the water flow over us, or just watching it go down the drain while we wash / condition our hair? While an extra-long shower is sometimes a necessary part of the day, it doesn’t have to be done with every shower. Being aware of the individual roles that we all play in our daily use of water, as well as taking small steps to reduce water use, is essential to preserve this valuable resource.
5. Cleaning the patio with a hose or spraying the walkway may seem like the most efficient way to clean, but instead of wasting water spraying these surfaces, use a broom to sweep up the debris first.
6. If you own a pool, avoid decorations such as fountains or sprinklers. The process of water flowing through the air accelerates the evaporation process. This will result in unnecessary waste of resources.
7. Did you know that it takes about thirteen gallons of water to create one gallon of gas? Taking shortcuts when possible, cycling to work, carpooling, and having a nice night out are all ways you can save water by reducing the amount of gas you use.
8. Instead of rinsing fruits and vegetables under running water, fill a clean pot or bowl with fresh water and rinse it that way.
9. An inexpensive way to reuse water is to water your indoor plants or even your lawn with the same water you used to rinse your fruits and vegetables. This eliminates waste and benefits you, your lawn, and the environment.
10. Instead of running the sink / shower water when you shave, fill a large cup or bowl with cold water and shave that way. This helps save water and time!
11. Instead of filling a mop bucket with hot water and mopping chemicals, fill an empty spray bottle with white vinegar and use it as a multi-surface cleaner. This is an all-natural way to deep clean your home without excessive use of water. (And don’t worry, the smell dissipates very quickly.)
12. If you are renovating your home, consider installing showers and sink faucets that are made to save water. These specially made faucets will eliminate water waste and extra work for you in the long run.
13. Two ways we waste water occur when we run the water to heat it. Stepping away from the bathroom with the shower running, while waiting for it to reach the desired temperature, or waiting to cover the tub until the water is hot is a huge unnecessary waste. Consider insulating the pipes in your home to combat this common problem.
14. When making tea or coffee, do not brew a full kettle if you only intend to drink one cup.
15. Instead of using plain water to defrost frozen food, take it out of the freezer a few hours earlier or use your microwave to defrost it.
16. Never start a load of laundry if it is not a full load. Washing partial loads wastes energy and water. Plus, opt for cold water to save even more.
17. When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink halfway with warm water and then turn off the tap. Warm water may not be ideal for those of us used to putting hot water on dishes, but it works well. Also, you don’t need to fill the sink completely with water, even if you have more dishes than normal to clean.
18. Line the areas around your plants / garden to help the plants retain water.
19. Avoid filling pots / pans completely with water when cooking; instead, just fill the pot with enough water.
20. Replace the outer hoses every few months to make sure the hose is in working order. A withered water hose can cause small, imperceptible leaks and fluctuations in water pressure that lead to waste.
Water is a precious resource that is used today. Conserving water and helping to maintain a healthy and safe environment should not be an option. Each and every one of us should do everything we can to help prolong the life of our beautiful planet. Let these 20 little ideas inspire creative changes to the way you work to help save the planet.