Water is a precious resource, and with growing concerns about climate change and water scarcity, it’s more important than ever to find ways to conserve it. But did you know that you can actually save water while cleaning your home?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American household wastes approximately 9,400 gallons of water per year or roughly 70 gallons per day. This figure can be significantly higher in households with inefficient water fixtures and appliances.
Today, we’ll share 12 simple tips on how to save water while cleaning your home–from turning off the taps when they’re not needed to investing in energy-efficient appliances.
How Much Water Is Wasted Every Year?
Every year, billions of gallons of water are wasted worldwide due to inefficient use and lack of awareness. In the United States alone, it is estimated that an average family can waste up to 180 gallons per week, equating to over 9,000 gallons annually.
So where can you look in your home to mitigate water waste? Here is an average breakdown of water use by household item.
To put things into perspective – if everyone in the US took steps towards conserving just three percent more water daily by adopting simple yet effective practices, we could save nearly two trillion gallons of drinkable water each year.
That’s enough to quench the thirst of every person on Earth for an entire month! Saving water helps our environment, reduces energy consumption, and lowers monthly utility bills – making eco-friendly living all the more rewarding for you and your wallet.
So, how can we protect and conserve this precious resource?
13 Ways To Save Water While Cleaning Your Home
If you want to start making a more conscious effort to save water, try implementing these simple tips into your routine cleaning duties.
1. Don’t Leave The Tap Running
One of the easiest ways to save water while cleaning your home is by being mindful about turning the tap off when it’s not in use. For example, turning off the faucet while scrubbing dishes or brushing your teeth can save up to 1.5 gallons of water per minute.
To get into the habit of shutting off taps, try placing reminders near them – such as sticky notes or even setting timers on your phone. Another trick is to fill a sink or basin with just enough water for rinsing dishes rather than letting the tap run continuously.
Pro Tip: Installing low-flow faucets or showerheads reduces the amount of water coming from the faucet without compromising water pressure.
2. Soak Dirty Dishes
Soak your dirty dishes before washing them allows stubborn food particles to loosen, making them much easier to clean without wasting unnecessary water on scrubbing and rinsing.
Combining this method with biodegradable cleaning products will ensure that you’re not only saving water but also reducing your environmental impact by limiting exposure to harmful chemicals in traditional cleaners.
3. Use a Bucket
Instead of leaving the tap running, fill up a bucket with the necessary amount of water for mopping or scrubbing surfaces.
This can save you gallons of water each time you clean.
Using a bucket is particularly useful when washing your car or cleaning outdoor areas such as patios and decks. Instead of using a hose that can waste hundreds of gallons per hour, use a bucket to wash these areas down.
4. Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances
By purchasing energy-efficient appliances, you can significantly reduce your water consumption and save money on utility bills. Look for washing machines and dishwashers with a high Energy Star rating to ensure they use less water during their cycles.
For example, did you know that front-loading washing machines use up to 40% less water than top-loading ones? By upgrading to an efficient model, you will save hundreds of gallons of water per year and lessen the impact on our planet’s resources.
5. Pack Your Dishwasher Properly
Packing your dishwasher properly is a great way to save water while cleaning your dishes. You want to stack your dishes and utensils in an organized manner, ensuring that every inch of the dishwasher is being utilized efficiently.
Pro Tip: Place larger items like pots and pans towards the center of the machine, leaving the outer edges for smaller plates and bowls.
Another useful packing strategy is to scrape off any large chunks of food before loading up the dishwasher. This ensures that your dishes come out cleaner and reduces the amount of water needed during cleaning cycles.
6. Only Wash Full Laundry Loads & Use the Right Cycle
When it comes to washing your clothes, you can save a significant amount of water by only washing full loads. This reduces water consumption and saves energy and money on your utility bills.
Using the right cycle for the type of laundry you’re doing can also help conserve water.
Running small loads or using too much detergent can actually waste more water than necessary because the machine may continue to run additional rinse cycles until all the soap is dissolved.
7. Use Biodegradable Cleaning Products
Switching to biodegradable cleaning products is another great way to save water while cleaning your home. These eco-friendly cleaners use natural ingredients that break down quickly in the environment without harming aquatic life or polluting waterways.
Biodegradable cleaning products are also septic system safe. This means they don’t contain harsh chemicals that can harm the system, resulting in costly repairs and water waste.
Plus, many biodegradable cleaning products are produced using environmentally friendly manufacturing processes that reduce water consumption and waste. These processes reduce the environmental impact of cleaning products while also saving water.
8. Clean Regularly
Wait–wouldn’t cleaning all the time use more water? Not necessarily. It can actually require more water to clean surfaces that build up harsh residue. By frequently cleaning, you can prevent dirt buildup that requires excessive amounts of water to remedy.
You’re also more likely to notice leaks or drips that waste valuable water. You can save significant water over time by repairing these leaks as soon as possible.
Pro Tip: Cleaning appliances and fixtures like dishwashers, washing machines, and faucets on a regular basis can help maintain their efficiency.
9. Clean Your Hard Surfaces Without Water
Cleaning your home shouldn’t mean wasting water. One of the best ways to save water while cleaning is to clean your hard surfaces without using any water at all. This may sound tricky, but it’s actually quite simple! Start by decluttering and wiping down surfaces with a microfiber cloth or dust mop.
Dry steam cleaners work by heating up tap water until it turns into a low-moisture steam that can be used on most surfaces, from floors and countertops to furniture and curtains.
They also easily remove tough stains such as grease, grime, and dirt without damaging the surfaces or leaving behind residue.
10. Scrub the Shower During Your Shower
Scrubbing your bathroom can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! One effective way to save water while cleaning your bathroom is by scrubbing during shower time.
Not only does this tip help conserve water by allowing you to clean without wasting extra gallons of water, but it also saves time since you won’t need additional time just for cleaning.
11. Start Harvesting Rainwater
Another excellent way to save water while cleaning your home is by harvesting rainwater. You can do this in many ways, from installing a rain barrel or cistern to using a simple rain chain system.
Not only does harvesting rainwater reduce the amount of potable water used for non-potable purposes, but it helps to prevent stormwater runoff from depositing pollutants into rivers and oceans.
Remember, every drop counts when it comes to conserving water – start small with just one bucket or cistern and work up to larger systems over time.
12. Implement a Water Management Plan
Implementing a water management plan is an excellent way to reduce the amount of water you use in your home. This involves assessing and analyzing your water usage, identifying areas where you can save water, and implementing changes to your routine or habits accordingly.
It’s essential to involve every member of your household in creating and maintaining a comprehensive water management plan. Working together allows you to develop new habits that promote environmental sustainability without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have questions about how to save water while cleaning your home? Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions.
How can I reduce my hot water usage while cleaning?
To limit hot water usage during cleaning, try reducing the temperature setting on your hot water heater or switching to cold-water wash settings on laundry machines as often as possible.
Can I still clean effectively without using large amounts of water?
Absolutely! There are many effective ways to clean without using excessive amounts of water, such as steam-cleaning carpets or upholstery or wiping down surfaces with disposable microfiber cloths rather than sponges and towels, which absorb more moisture.
What household item wastes the most water?
Every month, a leaking toilet can waste 15,000 gallons of water. Place several drops of food coloring in the toilet tank to see if there is a leak. If the color seeps into the toilet bowl after 30 minutes without being flushed, your toilet leaks.
How Will You Start Saving Water While Cleaning Your Home?
Saving water while cleaning your home might seem daunting, but it’s actually easier than you think. By implementing even a few of these simple tips, you can significantly reduce your water consumption and help protect our planet.
Every little bit counts, from turning off the tap while brushing your teeth to using biodegradable cleaning products. Remember that even the smallest change can make a big difference in our environment.
In what ways do you help conserve water in your home? Have you found one method to be more effective than another? Let us know in the comments below!
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