How low can you go?

It's the season to be doing a lot of entertaining and holiday preparation, most of these things can involve more water use than usual. So, ho, ho, ho, how low can you go? 

Eating:

• If you’re washing up by hand, fill the sink and avoid running the tap when cleaning those pots, pans and dishes.
• Most dishwashers will clean your plates just fine without rinsing. Don’t double down by rinsing, just put them straight in.
• Make sure the dishwasher is fully loaded every time you run it. Use the water saving setting if the appliance has one.
• Save water by thawing foods overnight in the fridge instead of running hot water over them.
• Have some cool water on hand by filling up a jug with water and storing it in the fridge.

Cleaning:

• Only wash full loads every time and use the appropriate setting on your machine to the size of the load you’re washing.
• Use brooms and vacuums to clean flooring. The same applies for pathways, concrete, tiles, driveways and decks. When you do decide to clean those outdoor surfaces, use a high-pressure cleaner instead of a regular hose.
• Clean the bathroom while cleaning yourself! Collect the water in a bucket during a shower and reuse the water to clean the bathroom (and other areas of the home).

Shopping:

• Water efficient items can make great gifts. For stocking fillers think reusable water bottles, shower timers/speakers and waterless car wash products. Go on, get creative.

The bathroom is an area where water can simply go down the drain. Here's a few easy ways to help save:    

• Take shorter showers no longer than 4 minutes.

Challenge: Time your shower with a song, we've created our Bathroom Beats playlist just for you.

• Don't waste the cold water while you wait for it to heat up.

Challenge: Collect it with a bucket and use it to water plants.

• Place a plug in the tub before you turn on the tap. 

Challenge: Bath the children together. 

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.

Challenge: Clean your teeth in the shower.

• Fill the sink to rinse your razor and face when shaving.

Challenge: Go one better and use a cup.

• Use the half flush where you can.

Challenge: If it's brown flush it down, if it's yellow let it mellow.

• Check for leaks in your toilet.

Challenge: Place a few drops of food dye into the cistern. After 15 minutes check the bowl, if you see the dye, you may have a leak.

Whether it's small or large, the kitchen is the hub of the home. There are simple things you can do that can save water and really make a difference. 

• Only do full loads in the dishwasher.

Challenge: Keep a bucket handy for rinsing off dishes throughout the day.

• Use one glass a day for drinking water.

Challenge: Try a reuseable water bottle.

• Cook or boil foods in as little water as possible.

Challenge: Save time and nutrients and consider steaming.

• Fill up a jug of water and pop it in the fridge.

Challenge: Stock up on a few glass bottles with stoppers so you can chill more than one.  

There are plenty of ways to save water in the garden that doesn't mean watching your lawn turn brown or plants wilting over. Try these clever ideas:

• Water in the morning or at night (before 8am and after 4pm) to avoid evaporation.

Challenge: Capture water from other parts of the house to use on plants.  

• Mow on the highest setting – taller grass retains moisture.

Challenge: To mow or not to mow – how low should you go?  

• Water the lawn only when it needs it.

Challenge: Water early morning, for longer periods, less frequently.  

• Group plants with similar watering needs together.

Challenge: Relocate them and save yourself from dragging the hose around.  

• Place a saucer under pot plants to save any water from being lost.

Challenge: Bottom watering, have you heard of it? Place the plant in a tub or sink with a few inches of water. The drainage holes will absorb the water into the soil.  

It's not just the kitchen and bathroom where we can reduce our water use. There's lots of opportunities in other areas of your home. 

Laundry:

• Only do full loads in the washing machine, or match the water level to the load.

Challenge: Wear your clothes more than once.  

• Plug the sink or fill a bucket for hand-washing items.

Challenge: Do multiple items, use the sink for washing and a bucket for rinsing.  

Pets:

• When cleaning fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.

  Challenge: Do moderate water changes every two weeks.

• Wash your pets using a bucket of warm water.

  Challenge: Reuse the water on the car or garden.   

Pools:

• Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation.

Challenge: Cover when it's not in use, especially in summer, it can reduce evaporation by 90-95%

• Keep the water level only halfway up to the skimmer opening.

Challenge: Enforce a 'no bombing' rule to keep all the water in the pool.

Outdoor areas:

• Use a broom rather than the hose to clean driveways, balconies and hard surfaces.

Challenge: Using a blower could save time and effort.

• Check for leaking taps.

Challenge: Give your place a once over and check for leaks or any repairs that need to be done.

Vehicles:

• Wash your car, bikes and boats on the lawn, avoid the driveway where possible. 

Challenge: Use a high-pressure hose or bucket.

Challenge: Wash in the rain.

Challenge: Use a waterless car wash.