Cutting costs on basic things around the house is one of the first steps toward frugal living. These 10 Ways to Save Water to Cut Costs are a part of the process of learning how to manage on less than you have. By saving money now on the little things, you will have money for emergencies, vacations, or retirement.
10 Ways to Save Water to Cut Costs
If you aren’t sure where, to begin with saving money, we have a great list of 30 ways to save on everyday expenses to check out. That is a perfect start to your new frugal living plans. Learning how to cut costs in little ways on a daily basis will quickly add up to huge cost savings in your budget.
1. Turn off the tap
One of the first things you can do in this list of 10 ways to save water is to turn off the tap water. Many times we mindlessly allow water to run while we finish a task. This is a huge waste of resources and eventually adds up to a waste of our money.
- Turn off when brushing your teeth. Wet the toothbrush, turn the faucet off, and then turn it back on to quickly rinse.
- Turn off the tap when washing dishes. Fill one sink with water for washing, then stack the dishes up to rinse quickly rather than letting the water run the whole time.
- Turn off the tap when washing fruits and vegetables. Instead, use a small bowl with water and vinegar to rinse and scrub your produce before quickly rinsing in another bowl of fresh water.
2. Check for plumbing leaks
If you have an older home, this tip is especially important. According to a professional Plumbing repair in Carbondale, you need to check under sinks, behind washing machines, and around outside faucets to make sure you don’t have any small leaks that could be adding up. Additionally, you can check any connections that are easily accessible like around your toilets or behind showers. If a water bill seems exceptionally high for no reason, always take time to check for leaks or consider getting a pipe leak detection.
A visit from a nearby plumber can save thousands of dollars down the road. Make sure to contact a residential plumbing expert if you need help finding the leak and also to check your plumbing system. And if you’re experiencing slow draining issues and clogged drains in your Shoreline, WA home, make sure to contact experts like the James Island area drain cleaning services. If the problem is with the septic tank, make sure to contact a septic service company to conduct an inspection, cleaning, and other septic tank services.
3. Use rainwater
I have always loved the idea of having decorative rain barrels around the corners of my home for this purpose. A rain barrel can collect water for use in many things around your home. Just know that this isn’t necessarily good for cooking or drinking without proper filtration and purifying.
Use rainwater for the following:
- Water your garden
- Irrigate your lawn
- Wash your car
- Bathe your pets
- Clean patio furniture or rinse off walkways
Check out our list of Garden Decor Ideas that use upcycled items!
4. Invest in “low flow” fixtures
There are many sink and bath faucets, as well as, shower heads available that offer a low flow option. Most of these have a simple filter in place that slows the water, which results in less usage. You can also pick up a low flow toilet option or add a brick to your toilet tank for conserving water when flushing.
5. Hand wash dishes
I know that using a dishwasher is a lot easier, but it can be wasteful depending on the model and how many dishes you are able to fit at once. Taking the time to hand wash your dishes is one of the most popular of these 10 ways to save water. As mentioned above, turn off the tap and wash all of the dishes before turning the water back on to rinse well prior to drying.
6. Limit landscaping
I love a beautiful garden and lawn as much as the next person. However, I also realize that those things can be expensive. Not only are you spending money on the flowers, shrubs, mulch, and grass seed, but you are spending on the water to keep them beautiful. Investigate options that do well with limited water. There is a list of great plants that are drought resistant that can also be beautiful.
You don’t have to avoid a beautiful lawn to save water. Simply make wise choices about the plants you use to ensure you aren’t having to water excessively to keep them living.
7. Buy a high-efficiency washing machine
This is an expense that I believe is worth making. Now, I won’t recommend going out and buying a new washing machine if your current works well. I will, however, recommend upgrading your washing machine to a high-efficiency version once your current model is no longer functional. Over time, the savings are significant for both your pocketbook and the natural resources.
Make sure to check out our list of Laundry Product Deals every week for new ways to save in store!
8. Take fewer baths
While some will say to skip a day or two between showers or baths, that isn’t what I mean by this. Although it is a great idea if you can manage to skip a day, I am referring to simply soaking in a bathtub. A nice hot bath after a long day is a treat for many, but that doesn’t mean it is a good idea if you are trying to save on water consumption. Avoid taking as many long baths, as filling the bathtub up will typically use a much larger amount of water than a shower.
9. Don’t linger in the shower
On a similar note, I also recommend setting a timer for the shower. Instead of lingering under the hot water spray, make a routine of getting in and out fast. You can go so far as to get your body and hair wet then turn off the water until you are soaped up and ready to rinse. Otherwise, I say set a 5-minute timer and work to stay within that limit for showers.
If you shave your legs in the shower, I definitely recommend turning off the water instead of letting it run the whole time you are shaving. A small cup of water is all you need to rinse your razor out until you are done shaving and can rinse your whole body.
10. Don’t always flush
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “If it’s yellow, let it mellow” a few times in your life. It may seem a bit gross, but it is a useful method of conserving water. This is one that not everyone is comfortable doing, but if you are, it will be a great way to save on water expenses.
As you can see, these 10 ways to save water are not too difficult to manage. Many are simply common sense methods of being more frugal in your daily routine. What other ways would you suggest to help save water to cut costs?