The average home in America uses around 400 gallons of water per day. Now, that may seem like a lot and maybe even more than you think you use, but when you factor in how many times your family flushes the toilet, showers, washes their hands, or does laundry, you can see where this number comes from. With more areas throughout the country struggling with drought and the EPA calling for stricter water usage regulations, it makes sense that everyone does their part to save water, even in the home.
What are some ways that you can save water in the home? While there are hundreds of ways the average household can save water, some are easier than others. We are going to share with you some of our favorite tips on using less water and some that you may never have thought of. The result of using less water in your home? More water for our planet, fewer water restrictions, and a lower water bill. Saving money and saving the planet couldn’t be easier!
Great Tips For Saving Water While At Home
1. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. You would be surprised to know how much water you let run down the drain while you are brushing your teeth. Wet your brush, turn off the water, and brush your teeth as usual. They turn on the tap to rinse.
2. Turn off the tap while washing your hands. Just as you would do to save water when brushing your teeth, you can do the same when washing your hands. Wet your hands, turn off the water, and lather up. Then, turn on the tap to rinse and think of all of the water you just saved.
3. Have you ever heard the saying. “If it’s yellow, let it mellow.”? It basically means that you don’t have to flush your toilet every time you pee. You can wait to flush or flush every other time. This will save you up to 2.5 gallons of water every time you tinkle.
4. Repair any water leaks inside or out. Even if your bathroom sink has a slow drip, that can add up to gallons of water lost each day. Fix your leaks to save water and save money.
5. Go out to wash your car. Find a car wash that uses recycled water and wash your car there Washing your car at home can use more than 40 gallons of water.
6. Take shorter showers. We want you to be clean, but those long showers you take are costing you up to 5 gallons of water per minute. How dirty are you really?
7. Purchase efficient bath and kitchen fixtures. New, low flow fixtures do all of the work for you and can save you hundreds of gallons of water every week. Many are easy to install and often costs less than standard fixtures.
8. Only run the dishwasher or laundry machine when they are full. They don’t use less water because you put fewer clothes or dishes in them.
9. Buy a rain barrel. Harvesting rainwater is a good way to water your flower garden without having to waste any water from the tap. You can even construct your own rain barrel using help from online resources.
10. Wash your dog outside. This way, you get a clean dog, you can water your grass and you get to use less water. Again, save money and save the planet. It really works!
If you liked this post, be sure to post a comment below and share with us your favorite tips on how to use less water in the home.
Last update of the article: 07/31/2020.
About the Author
Jen is your go-to guru for crafting a cozy, green cocoon. 🪴 Her dive into sustainable building wasn’t just about saving the planet—it started as a mission to make family movie nights eco-friendly (and to ensure the popcorn was the only thing getting heated!). With a knack for breaking down the jargon, Jen turns eco-lingo into everyday language. Swing by the Green Living blog for a mix of earth-loving advice and home improvement hacks. Whether you’re just dipping your toes into green waters or you’ve been swimming in the deep end of DIY projects, Jen’s here to guide, giggle, and remind you that every eco-choice is a step towards a planet that thanks you… and maybe even sends a rainbow your way! 🌈