How to Conserve Water in the Kitchen

  • Use a dishwasher, especially an Energy Star, instead of washing dishes by hand. It typically saves on water.
  • Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. It can save 10 to 20 gallons of water a day.
  • When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one tub with wash water and the other with rinse water.
  • Limit the number of glasses you use very day by using the same glass for your drinking water each day, or refilling a water bottle that is BPA-free, stainless steel or glass. I like and use New Wave Enviro stainless steel water bottles.
  • Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost when you can and save gallons!
  • Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables and use it to water house plants.
  • Don’t use running water to thaw food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.
  • Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up. If you can’t do this, keep the water and water your plants.
  • Reuse the leftover water from cooked or steamed foods as a veggie broth or to make soup.
  • Steam veggies vs boil them. Cooking in as little water as possible helps retain more nutrients.
  • Use the right pan size for the job. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.
  • If you accidentally drop ice cubes or have left over ice cubes in a drink, don’t throw them in the sink. Put them in a house plant instead.

How to Conserve Water in the Laundry Room

Water can be saved in the laundry room by adjusting water levels in the washing machine to match the size of the load. If your washing machine does not have a variable load control, save water by running the machine only when it is full. Here are more tips.

  • Did you know that washing dark clothes in cold water not only saves water and energy but it helps your clothes retain their color?
  • When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.
  • Have a plumber re-route your greywater to trees and plants rather than the sewer line. Check with your city and county for codes.

How to Conserve Water in Bathroom

You can save a lot of water in the bathroom. For example, turn off the water while brushing teeth or shaving or conserve water- leaky-facetwhile soaping in the shower. Here are additional tips on conserving water in the bathroom. Check your faucets and showerheads for leaks. One drip every second adds up to five gallons of waster water per day!

In the shower…

  • Take a shower instead of a bath. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
  • Keep your shower to under 5 minutes and save up to 1,000 gallons of water per month. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.
  • Use a WaterSense® labeled showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
  • Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
  • When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.

On the john…

  • Toilet leaks result in a lot of water loss. Test your toilet for leaks at least once a year. To test if it’s leaking, put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak.
  • Upgrade your older toilets (ones installed before 1992) with water-saving toilets like WaterSense® labeled models.
  • Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.
  • Replace your toilet flapper if it doesn’t close properly after flushing.

At the vanity…

  • Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
  • Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.
  • When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
  • Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
  • Like in the kitchen, collect the running water while you wait for hot water and use it to water plants.

General Ways to Conserve Water Indoors

  • If you’re shopping for a new dishwasher or washing machine, use the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water consumption between models.
  • Watch the Home Water Challenge video or use the Home Water Audit Calculator to see where you can save water.
  • Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter can help you discover leaks and save water.
  • Hire a GreenPlumber® to help reduce your water, energy, and chemical use.
  • Be a leak detective! Check all hoses, connectors, and faucets regularly for leaks.
  • Reuse towels and sheets while staying in a hotel.
  • Only run your washer and dishwasher when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
  • See how your water use stacks up to others by calculating your daily water use