We've been trying to save water, and it's been a lot easier since our roommate moved out around 5 months ago, because he used SOOO much water and our water bill was around 3 TIMES higher than what is was when it was just me and the BF.
I've been trying to find ways to cut our water use (to save money and be environmentally friendly) and I found an article on Five Cent Nickel about tips.
Saving money in the:
- Bathroom. Our old roommate would seriously take 3 to 4 hour long showers. We would always ask him what the heck he could possibly be doing in there, but he would just laugh. I'm not even kidding about the 3 to 4 hours.
- Turn on the water right before you go in the shower, so that you're not wasting any extra water.
- Try to buy shower efficient items so that less water is sprayed but still be just as efficient
- Lawn
- Try to have more native plants in your hard. Most places aren't meant to have grass, and a ton of water is wasted on this.
- Buy a water efficient sprinkler system
- Kitchen
- I tend to use a ton of different cups everyday. I don't know why, I just like a fresh cup everyday. This is really wasteful though because we have to wash more dishes.
- Buy a more efficient dish washer.
- Laundry Room
- Yet again, buy something that is more efficient.
- Adjust settings with every use. Don't have a lot to wash? Put your washer on the smallest setting.
How do you save water? Any tips?
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Ashley says
November 9, 2011 at 9:29 amI have a dishwasher but have never used it. I just hand wash all my dishes. I'm not sure if it saves water or not but definitely saves on electricity. If you don't have many dishes you don't need and entire sink full of water so it should save on water too?
Holly says
November 9, 2011 at 9:55 amWe so need to work no the using a bazillion cups per day thing, it's such a waste!
Erica says
November 9, 2011 at 10:03 amGreat tips! Our washer regulates the amount of water for us which I think its so cool!
OneFamily says
November 9, 2011 at 10:36 amNo one can take long showers at our house – they'd run out of hot water after about 30 minutes! though, I think my son would take 3-4 hour long showers if he could!
Holly says
November 9, 2011 at 10:47 amIn our house we really need to start working on saving water. I love taking baths and though I don't take one every night, I wish I could. But it certainly wastes a lot of water. I need to cut back, maybe one every Sunday evening. I use a ton of cups too!! Guess I better be more aware of it.
Liquid says
November 9, 2011 at 11:15 amMy water would get cold within an hour in the shower. Luckily all my water is paid through my fixed strata fee. But that's about to go up in a couple of months.
Michelle P says
November 9, 2011 at 11:22 amOur water gets cold fast too, so that's why we don't know what he was doing. We kind of think he just left it running and sat in the bathroom and read or something just to make us mad.
Newlyweds on a Budge says
November 9, 2011 at 11:39 amas someone who works for a water district, i am SO happy to see these!!did you know 50% of your water use is from landscape irrigation? indoors, your biggest water savings will be with the dishwasher and clothes washer. taking shorter showers helps too : ) also if you're thinking about buying high efficiency appliances, check with your local water district–many times they offer rebates and most people don't even know about it! we offer up to $250!
Ashley says
November 9, 2011 at 12:00 pmHey Michelle!!! Just stopping by from Thrifty Crafty Girl. Stop by sometime when you get a minute!!!
Grace - Stripes and says
November 9, 2011 at 12:26 pmgreat tips!!
Deidre says
November 9, 2011 at 2:04 pmI loved reading this list!I shower with a bucket in my shower. So when I am waiting for the water to heat up, I can water my garden without wasting more water. I only move the bucket when using soap – because I worry about my tomato plants!
Live Simply- Live We says
November 9, 2011 at 3:56 pmI am terrible at this. I love hot baths. I love hot baths. I love hot baths!! It is such a waste of water. I really need to work on this.
April says
November 9, 2011 at 4:35 pmGood post! I happen to love a long, hot shower (but not for three or four hours!) but the other tips are definitely something I could do. When we move we plan to have rocks and cactus in our yard (more so because hubby hates yard work but it is a desert here and rocks and cactus just seem to fit). We also want to get a new, efficient clothes washer. And while I can do without a dishwasher–I always wash dishes by hand–we can't seem to find a house that doesn't come with one!