water

Looking for some tips to save water in the bathroom?  Right this way!

Most of us are so used to the idea of always having fresh and clean water at hand, that we’ve forgotten how important it is to conserve it, especially now when many areas are struggling with droughts.  Water conservation is not only crucial for the environment, but, depending on the area in which you live, it can also lower your utility bill, so it’s a win-win situation.  If you too want to hop on a water-saving train, it’s a good idea to start from your bathroom.

My Easiest Tips to Save Water In The Bathroom

Here’s what you can do to help save water in the bathroom without too much leg work:  

Bathroom sink

Water comes out of the average tap at almost ten litres per minute.  Don’t let all that water go down the drain while you brush your teeth or shave!  Turn off the tap after you wet your brush, and leave it off until it’s time to rinse.  When shaving you can gather a bit of water in the sink and use it to rinse off your razor.  Also, you don’t need to leave the tap running while you’re scrubbing your hands.  You can turn the tap off after you wet your hands up until you need to rinse. This way you can easily save a few litres of water.

Regularly check your water sources for leaks and drips.  Small tap leaks can turn into a huge waste of water over time, so make sure to fix them as soon as you hear any dripping sounds.  Another thing you can do is install aerators on your taps that reduce water waste by limiting the water flow.

Save Water In The Shower

Showers and baths usually take up most of our home’s water consumption, so you should concentrate on these parts of the bathroom the most.  One of the easiest things you can do is simply limit your shower time.  You can install a clock in the bathroom or play a song that lasts about 5 minutes and get out when the song’s over.  Another great thing you can do is collect water in the bucket while you’re fixing your water.  Later use that water to water plants or flush the toilet.  There are also great low-flow showerheads you can invest in.  They are designed to pressurise your water flow and create a spray that feels like a regular shower while saving you hundreds of pounds a year.

Bathtubs

Showers should, of course, be your number one choice, but if you just enjoy your baths too much to renounce them, there are ways to conserve water in the bath too.  For instance, you don’t have to fill up your tub completely.  Instead, fill the tub only halfway to avoid water spilling over.  It’s also important to regularly check your tub for leaks and cracks.

Toilet

One of the most efficient ways to save water in the bathroom is low-flow toilets.  These modern water-saving toilets can save you as much as 60,000 litres of water a year.  Also, your toilet’s not a rubbish bin, so don’t flush different things down the toilet.  You’re not only using up water on unnecessary flushing, but you’re also risking major plumbing problems.

Whilst we’re on the subject of toilets, do check out my guide to eco-friendly toilet paper.

Appliances

Washing machines use up a lot of water, so it’s best to use them sparingly.  Turn them on only when you have a full load, or use a special program for half-loads that uses less water.  You can also wash some less dirty and delicate clothing items by hand and further conserve water.

Changing just some of our habits when it comes to water use, and investing in some low-flow fixtures, can save a lot of water, which is a win-win for the environment.  Do also check out my post on reducing plastic in the bathroom, which is equally as important in saving water.