We’re all aware of the traditional methods of saving water, fixings leaky faucets, taking shorter showers and watering our landscaping less, but there’s many other everyday ways we can reduce our usage of H2O. These will not only save money on your utility bill, they will also help to reduce our carbon footprint and be kinder to Mother Earth.
Here are eight unusual, yet simple ways we can save and reuse water in our everyday lives:
#1 – Use the same glass
We should all be drinking several glasses of water each day, but we don’t need a new cup, simply a refill. The fewer number of water glasses we’re using, means the less we’ll need to wash them. Also, if you do find yourself finished drinking but there’s still water left in your glass, instead of pouring it down the drain, use it to water a plant or top of a pet’s watering dish.
#2 – Don’t order one
Depending on where you live, many restaurants have stopped automatically giving their guests that complimentary cup of water to accompany their menu selection. If your server offers you a glass or you request one, only do so if you’re actually going to drink it with your meal.
#3 – Bathe your fruits & veggies
Instead of washing your fruits and vegetables under running water, use a large bowl or pot instead. Use the leftover water for plants and lawns instead of it running down the drain.
#4 – Reuse cooking water
Many professional chefs and cooks know to add a little bit of the water used to boil the pasta in with their sauces for better flavor and texture. They also reuse the water that they have boiled or steamed vegetables with for soup stock.
#5 – Turn off in between
While brushing your teeth or washing your hands, turn off the water. It only needs to be running while rinsing your hands or toothbrush and this wastes many gallons of water.
#6 – Humidifiers and dehumidifiers
Another excellent source of leftover water that can be used for plants, vegetation and landscaping.
#7 – Hoses, faucets and sprinklers
A drip found indoors is usually found because it’s annoying, but exterior leaks can be difficult to detect at times. Be sure to check all of your outdoor waterworks for waste, fix or repair when appropriate. Also, ensure that hoses have a nozzle that shuts off so water isn’t running when the tap is on, but you’re not actually using the water.
#8 – Boiling water
Try to use boiling water more than once or for another purpose before it gets tossed. For example, if you’re making potato salad, it’s recommended that you begin with cold water and slowing bring to a boil. After the eggs are done, spoon them out for cooling and reuse the boiling water for the potatoes.
Before pouring the hot water down the drain, you may have some dirty dishes with stubborn, stuck-on stains. Try soaking them in this warmer water for easier cleaning later that will use less water in the long run.
Whenever or wherever there’s leftover water, before mindlessly tossing it down the drain, think of other ways it can be used. But don’t save up water outdoors for later use, especially in the summertime due to the risk of pesky mosquitoes, other insects or animals it could attract.
*Suggestions by Uma Campbell
