Tag: greener life Page 5 of 10

When talking about saving money, we often think about cutting back on shopping trips or dining out. 

But what if I told you there’s a simple way to save money right at home? 

It’s all about using less water. Your water bill might not seem like much, but it can add up over time, especially with the rising costs of living.

Saving water is not just about money, though. Water is a precious resource, and not everyone has easy access to it. 

In some places, longer droughts are making water scarce. By using less water, we can help ensure there’s enough for everyone, especially those who need it most.

Plus, saving water is good for the environment. Wastewater can harm our world, but if we use less water, we can reduce that harm.

In this blog post, I’ll show you fifteen hacks to save water at home. It’s a small change that can make a big difference – in your wallet and for our planet. Let’s get started on our water-saving journey today!

Fix leaks 

Let’s start with something easy – checking for leaks around your home. Go to your kitchen, bathroom, and garden and see if any taps are dripping water. If you find any leaks, it’s important to fix them right away.

Why? Well, for one, leaks can make your water bill much higher. Even a tiny drip can add up to a lot of wasted water and money over time. 

And, if you ignore leaks, they can cause damage to your home. Water might soak into the walls or floors, especially if there are pipes under them. Fixing this damage can be expensive.

Let me tell you a quick story. Not too long ago, we noticed a leak in our garden tap. 

We don’t use this tap much because we collect rainwater for our plants. But when we turned it on, it wouldn’t stop dripping. 

Our garden tap is old and not in great shape, so we couldn’t fix it ourselves. Plus, it was the weekend, and plumbers were hard to find.

Our temporary fix was putting a big empty bin under the leak to catch the water. The next day, we found that the bin had filled up overnight. 

We used the water to clean windows and our car. And luckily, our neighbour helped us repair the tap on the day.

This story shows how much water can be wasted from just one small leak. So, if you spot a leak, don’t wait to fix it. You’ll save money, keep your home safe, and conserve water. 

Turn Off the Tap When Brushing Your Teeth

This simple habit can make a big difference in saving water! It’s one of those things that most of us do without thinking, but that flowing tap can waste a surprising amount of water.

When you leave the tap running while brushing your teeth, you’re sending perfectly good water straight down the drain. It might not seem like much at first, but all those seconds of running water add up, especially if you’re a fan of thorough brushing. 

In fact, a running tap can use around 8 litres (that’s about 33 cups) of water per minute, which is quite a lot for such a simple task!

So, what can you do to save water here? It’s easy. Simply wet your toothbrush and then turn off the tap. You only need the water to rinse your mouth and toothbrush when you’re finished. 

By doing this, you can save litres of water every day without any extra effort. Not only will you be reducing your water bill, but you’ll also contribute to water conservation. 

It’s a small change in your daily routine but can greatly impact the environment.

Catch Water When Washing Your Hands 

In the age of COVID-19, frequent handwashing has become much more common, especially after returning from outside. Here’s a clever way to make your handwashing more eco-friendly – catch the water you use.

Every time I come home, my first step is to wash my hands thoroughly. As I turn on the bathroom tap, I also place a washing-up bowl in the sink. This simple act allows me to collect the water that would otherwise go down the drain.

Once my handwashing is complete, I’m left with a bowl of usable water. Instead of letting it slip away, I find creative ways to give it a second life. 

One of the simplest ways is to use it for flushing the toilet. It’s a brilliant way to repurpose the water, as toilets use a significant amount of water with each flush.

The collected water also comes in handy for other small household tasks. If something in the bathroom needs a quick cleaning, I’ll use this water to rinse my cleaning cloth or mop.

This sustainable approach helps reduce your water consumption and lowers your water bill. Plus, it’s an excellent way to contribute to water conservation efforts. 

Every drop counts, and by catching water during your handwashing routine, you’re doing your part to make the most of this precious resource.

Catch Water When Showering 

You might be wondering how to put this hack into practice. The good news is it’s surprisingly simple. All you need is a shower bucket. 

Here’s how it works: as you step into the shower, stand in the bucket. As you shower, the water that flows from the showerhead over your body will naturally end up in the bucket. 

This collected water can be reused for various purposes, just like the water you save while washing your hands.

Now, I understand that this technique may not be suitable for everyone. Some may find it a bit tricky or even risky to stand in a bucket in the shower. 

So, here’s an alternative approach: place a bucket in the shower before you start. You can collect the cold water in the bucket as you wait for the water to reach your desired temperature. 

It’s not just the shower water you’re saving – the bucket can also gather the cold water from the sink as you wait for it to turn warm, whether it’s for washing your face before bedtime or other needs.

Once you get into the habit of collecting this cold water, you’ll be amazed at how much you can save. It’s perfectly clean and entirely reusable. 

Flush Less Water Down the Toilet

Now, let’s continue our focus in the bathroom. Here’s a surprising fact: toilet flushing can account for a substantial portion of home water usage, especially if you have multiple toilets or a large family.

But here’s a thought: do you really need to flush the toilet every time you use it? 

For quick bathroom visits, like when you only need to pee, there’s no necessity to flush each time while you can still maintain a fresh and pleasant environment.

How? I heard you ask! You can put the toilet lid down or leave the bathroom window open to ensure good air circulation after you’re done.

I usually flush the toilet every third use for liquid waste. In our bathroom, the water used to flush the toilet is typically sourced from the usable water saved from handwashing or the cold water collected while waiting for the shower to warm up

If you’re in a position to choose a new toilet for your home or renovate your bathroom, consider going for a dual-flush version. These toilets offer a design that allows you to control the amount of water used for flushing, depending on the type of waste.

By adopting these practices, you’ll be taking a meaningful step in reducing your water consumption and your water bill.

Reduce Your Shower Time 

Another way to save water in the bathroom is to spend less time in the shower. We all enjoy a warm, soothing shower, but those extra minutes under the water can add up. Try to be mindful of your shower time and aim to keep it as short as possible.

You can take a step further by turning off the shower while you soap up. You’d be surprised at how much water goes down the drain while you’re lathering up with soap or shampoo. By turning off the shower during this time, you’ll save even more water without sacrificing your cleanliness.

If reducing your shower time isn’t feasible, consider showering less frequently if you work from home or don’t easily work up a sweat. 

For those in this situation, you can maintain good hygiene without daily showers. Instead, you can use a flannel to wipe your body and change your underclothes. It’s an alternative that not only saves water but also keeps you feeling fresh.

Have Fewer Baths 

While soaking in a warm bath can be incredibly relaxing, it’s important to remember that baths tend to use significantly more water than a quick shower. 

If you’re looking for ways to reduce your water consumption, consider having fewer baths and opting for shorter showers instead.

After your bath, consider saving the bathwater and use it to flush the toilet. It’s a simple way to give that bathwater a second purpose and reduce the overall water usage in your home.

So, if you’re a bath lover but also want to save water, try to have fewer baths and make the most of the ones you do take by repurposing the bathwater. It’s a win-win for your relaxation and the environment.

Use A Bowl In the Kitchen Sink

Now, let’s turn our attention to another space where we use a lot of water – the kitchen. Just as we use a washing-up bowl in the bathroom sink to save water, we can do the same in the kitchen.

Place a bowl in the kitchen sink and use it to catch the water from washing fruits or vegetables. The water you catch in the bowl can be reused for other purposes. 

For example, use the water to rinse a cleaning cloth and then clean the kitchen worktop. You can also use the water to rinse your dishes before stacking them in the dishwasher. 

By using a bowl in the kitchen sink, you’re making the most of every drop and contributing to water conservation.

Save The Pasta Water 

Our next water-saving hack is all about making the most of the water you use for boiling pasta. Instead of immediately draining the pasta water, consider saving it.

But this trick doesn’t stop at pasta water – it applies to any hot water you’ve used for boiling food, such as boiling potatoes or other vegetables.

Hot water can clean dirty pans more effectively because it helps loosen and dissolve stubborn food residue, making the cleaning process easier.

So, next time you’re boiling pasta or other foods, think twice before sending that hot water down the drain.

Use the Dishwasher for the Full Load

I used to not have a dishwasher at my previous address, but since moving to my current place last December, I’ve been gradually getting used to using it. 

I’ve also learned that the dishwasher actually uses less water than washing dishes by hand, especially when you have a lot of dishes to wash.

However, the key to water-saving efficiency with a dishwasher is to make sure you use it for a full load. Otherwise, not only will you not achieve water-saving benefits, but you’ll also waste electricity and dishwasher tablets/powder.

In my household, which consists of only two people, it’s often not easy to accumulate a full load of dishes within a day. 

To address this, I use the water caught by the kitchen sink bowl or the pasta water to pre-rinse the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. This helps me avoid the bad odour that can arise from leaving dirty dishes in the dishwasher overnight.

Using a dishwasher can be a water-saving choice, but it’s important to ensure that you use it efficiently by waiting for a full load.

Reuse Water from Handwashing Non-Dishwashable Cookware

In the kitchen, you’ll find certain items that just don’t belong in the dishwasher. Stovetop coffee makers, delicate copper cookware, and fine aluminium pots, for instance, need to be hand-washed to maintain their quality. 

But here’s the interesting twist – while you’re handwashing these non-dishwashable items, you can save the water used and put it to good use.

As you handwash these cookware pieces and kitchen gadgets, collect the water in a container. Don’t let that water slip away down the drain. This water can serve another valuable purpose – pre-rinsing dishes and cookware that are dishwasher-safe.

Although pre-rinsing dishes before loading up the dishwasher isn’t recommended by some experts, here we aren’t using fresh water to pre-rinse. Instead, we utilize the water we’ve saved from handwashing.

This eco-friendly approach not only conserves water but also reduces the burden on your dishwasher. Plus, you’ll avoid the guilt of using extra water for what essentially amounts to a ‘double rinse’.

Save Running Tap Water While Awaiting Cool Temperature

In the kitchen, when handwashing your dishes, you might find that the water from the tap becomes quite hot, especially if your kitchen tap only has one spout for both hot and cold water. 

Now, let’s say you want to fill up your kettle. You’re probably aware that it’s not a good practice to fill the kettle with hot water from the tap, as hot tap water can leach extra metals from the pipes. This not only affects the quality of the water but also has potential health implications.

To avoid using hot tap water in your kettle, the recommended practice is to run the tap water until it reaches a cooler temperature. 

But here’s where you can maximize your water-saving efforts. Instead of letting the hot water flow down the drain while you wait for it to cool down, you can catch it in the kitchen sink bowl for other purposes, such as cleaning cloth or rinsing dishes.

This approach not only prevents wasting water but also ensures that you’re using cooler water for your kettle without any concerns about metal leaching. 

Fill Up the Kettle Only as Much as You Need

It’s a common sight: people filling the kettle to its maximum capacity but only making one or two cups of tea or coffee. Later, when they decide to brew another round of hot drinks, they empty the entire kettle and refill it with freshly drawn water.

In the past, there was a valid reason for this practice, especially when the safety of drinking water was a concern. However, in today’s world, the quality control of drinking water is much better, and it can seem wasteful to empty the kettle with perfectly drinkable but cooled-down water.

To prevent water waste like this, fill up the kettle only as much as you need for your current use. 

If you often find yourself emptying the kettle, you can place a water jug next to it to contain the boiled but cooled-down water. Then, when you need a drink, opt for the water from the jug instead of using the tap.

This small change can save both water and reduce your energy bill, including the electricity cost, because the more water you boil, the more electricity your kettle consumes. It’s essential not to underestimate this aspect, as electric kettles can use a significant amount of energy with each boil.

Stay Hydrated Sustainably While On the Go

One simple yet effective way to save water while you’re out and about is to take a refillable water bottle with you. This proactive choice not only ensures you stay hydrated throughout the day but also has a positive impact on the environment.

By carrying your reusable water bottle, you can avoid buying single-use plastic water bottles from shops. This reduces plastic waste and saves you money in the process. It’s a small but impactful step in reducing your carbon footprint, too.

But what if you can’t finish the water in your bottle while you’re out or when you return home? 

Here’s where you can further extend the sustainability of your choice. Instead of discarding the remaining water, consider these options:

• Finish it: Try to finish the water before it goes to waste.
• Refrigerate it: If you can’t consume it immediately, place the bottle in your fridge overnight. The chilled water can be a refreshing choice for the next day, preventing any waste.
• Water recycling: Alternatively, you can pour the remaining water into the bathroom sink bowl. This serves as a smart and eco-friendly way to flush the toilet without using additional fresh water.

By incorporating these practices, you’re not only conserving water but also contributing to the reduction of single-use plastics, making your daily hydration routine more sustainable and responsible.

Repurpose Cooled Water from the Hot Water Bottle

Hot water bottles are cherished for their ability to provide warmth and alleviate body aches and pains. Yet, it’s less common for people to consider the potential of reusing the water from a hot water bottle once it has cooled down.

While some might dismiss this idea as trivial, it aligns perfectly with our goal of saving water and repurposing it whenever we can. Instead of letting the cooled-down water go to waste, here’s what you can do:

After your hot-water bottle has served its purpose and the water has cooled, pour it into a container or bucket. This seemingly ordinary water can find a new purpose as a cleaning agent.

By taking this extra step, you not only extend the utility of the water but also contribute to a more sustainable household routine. It’s another small but meaningful effort in our mission to save as much water as possible.

In conclusion, water is a precious resource that deserves our careful consideration and conservation efforts. 

While the list of hacks may seem extensive, remember that you don’t need to implement them all at once. Begin with the hacks that align best with your lifestyle and gradually introduce more 

Remember that every little effort to save and repurpose water contributes to overall water conservation. Small steps, when embraced by many, can collectively make a substantial impact!