Should We Avoid Baths to Save Water?
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Some of the popular water saving tips suggest that we avoid baths. Isn't it a bit too extreme? There are definitely some better ways to save water. So, let's sum up all the best water saving tips and decide, which would provide the best results for our environment and pocket.
- Remember that a dripping tap can waste anything up to 5 litres of water a day. Make sure you tackle the problem as it appears.
- A running tap can waste up to 10 litres a minute. Don't leave the tap open while brushing teeth, doing make-up or fussing around the kitchen.
- Recycle. Liquid that remains after boiling eggs or replacing water in your fishtank makes a good fertilizer for houseplants. You can also use the water that remains after washing your five-a-day fruit and veg to wash the floor or clean a car. That is if you use a colander inside a bowl. My people wash their veg under a running tap letting the water drain down the sink.
- Boil only as much water in your kettle as you will consume. However, don't allow the kettle to run if the level is below the recommended MIN dial.
- Build up your laundry until you can do a full load. A washing machine that is half-loaded will consume excess water even if you use the so called half-load regime.
- Choose a washing machine that is marked as A energy class. These machines will use only around 90 litres of water per load and help you save on energy too.
- Use a dishwasher (again the same rule applies - choose an A class). By using a dishwasher you consume only a half the water ou would use washing up by hand. It also saves on detergent, sponges and time.
- Many toilet cisterns have a leaking valve. Replace it immediately or even better replace the whole toilet cistern with one that has a so called save-a-flush system.
- Don't flush your small job if you know that somebody from your family will follow.
- Know your houseplants and learn to understand your garden. How much humidity does each plant require. If you give it too much, you can damage the roots.
- Don't wash your car with a hose. Have several buckets at hand and use a soft sponge. Consult your manual or dealer if you are handling a custom or antique car, though.
- Mulch the garden. Sprinkling a natural mulch (wood bark) over your flowerbeds and vegetable patches you will stop the weeds from growing and consuming moisture; you will also keep the soil away from direct sunlight thus keeping more moisture within.
- Don't use sprinklers. They are very ineffective (they never distribute moisture evenly) and consume an excessive amount of water. Take time to water your lawn and garden through a proper hose. In this case you also have more control over which plant gets what.
Give these water saving tips to your kids. Don't just assume that they would pick it up somehow.
Well, this is it. Feel free to comment if you have more tips up your sleeve. As the planet gets hotter, we have less water to enjoy. There are parts in the world where people are dying from draught. Always remember this as you touch your tap.
About the Author
Terence Green is an independent author writing about environmental issues. If you want to add your own expertise or just learn more about our planet, please visit environmental article directory.
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