03 Nov Quick and easy water saving tips

A water-wise lifestyle should be something we try to implement as much as possible in our day-to-day routines, purely as a conscientious eco-aware habit. The earth provides for us generously but that we should use her precious resources sparingly regardless – and with serious water restrictions and relatively dry summers ahead, it becomes even more imperative that we save water as much as possible.

Thankfully, with some applied knowledge and community inspiration on quick and easy water saving tips, we can learn to appreciate, respect, and treat out resources sparingly, whilst saving money to boot on our collective journeys to becoming water-responsible earth citizens.

Our quick and easy water saving tips

1. Keep chilled water in the fridge

Keeping a jug of water in the fridge means that you do not have to use the tap every time you need a refreshing drink of water, or to run the tap a little for the water to cool.

2. Invest in water-efficient appliances

Inexpensive and simple to install, low-flow shower heads and tap aerators can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50% and reduce your energy cost of heating the water also by as much as 50%.

Next time you need to replace any appliances or household equipment, think about investing in water-efficient goods – you can now buy water efficient shower heads, taps, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers and many other water saving products. These days you won’t even notice a difference in use, but you’ll definitely notice the decrease in your water bill!

3. Collect rainwater

Install a water butt to your drainpipe to collect rainwater – you can use the water collected to water your plants, wash your car, clean your windows or anything else you might need it for.

4. Save water when you flush

Simply flushing the toilet can be a huge waste of water, depending on your mechanics. To cut this wastage you could install a toilet flapper, tank bank or float booster – but here is an inexpensive DIY way to cut wastage right now.

How to make a DIY Float Booster:

1. Put about 5 cm of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down.
2. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms.
3. Be sure at least 11L of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly.

And if DIY’s not your thing, the Dry Planet Save-A-Flush might be exactly what you need.

5. Create your own compost

There are many ways to save water in the garden, and during the coming months these tips may just save your shrubbery.

Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Adding organic material such as compost or bark mulch will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture. Areas which are already planted can be ‘top dressed’ with compost or organic matter.

6. Use a bucket in your sink to catch your warm up water

You know the water that just runs and runs from the tap while you wait for it to warm up to wash the dishes? That’s perfectly good water. With a bucket in your second sink, you can wait for the water to warm up while filling the bucket, then fill your first basin with hot tap water. Doing this, you’ll be able to rinse the dishes straight in the tub and then repurpose that water to water your plants.

7. Live the simple farm life with a hand rinsing bucket

Fill a basin with water and use during the day for washing hands, instead of individually running the tap every time. Use this water in the garden when it starts looking dirty.

8. Don’t throw out cooking water used for pasta or vegetables

Decant into a container, allow to cool and use in the garden.

9. Turn taps off tightly so they don’t drip

A dripping tap can waste as much as 1l of water per hour, so always check for leaks in pipes – especially under sinks and basins!

10. Take shorter showers

Did you know that a four-minute shower uses approximately 60-100 litres of water?

Another great, often overlooked way to cut down on water use is turning off the shower after soaping up, then putting back on to rinse. We love this awesome little shower device, the Bao Water Pebble, which helps you monitor your shower lengths, saving you water and money.

11. Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth or shaving

You’re not using it then, so why waste it?

12. Water during cooler hours

When you water your garden, it makes sense to do it at hours with the least evaporation – early morning and early evening. And with a cuppa tea in hand, it can become quite therapeutic.

13. Go vegetarian!

Did you know it takes over 9400 litres of water to produce a mere 500g of beef. Just imagine how many veggies could be watered with all that water.

Consider the chemicals you use in your grey water

Grey water comes from laundry, washing, baths and showers. Whether you water your garden manually with a bucket or DIY style with a hosepipe from your washing machine or bathroom outlet to the garden, the most important rule is to ensure you’re using environmentally friendly products like the ones in our laundry range, or eco products from our home cleaner range.

Grey water is alkaline, which some plants won’t like, so rotate the areas in the garden that are watered this way.

Here’s to living smarter, water-wise lifestyles and getting through times of water scarcity with ease.