Quick and Easy Tips to Help You Save Water

Ever since I was in elementary school, I have learned about saving water. I have a feeling that even before being in elementary school, Sesame Street taught me that I should save water.

Use a Tuna Can to Water the Lawn

Watering the lawn is not something that needs to be done in Southwest Louisiana. However, when I was little, I saw a cartoon where one of the parents watered the lawn, so I thought it needed to be done and I took the hose and watered the lawn. It turns out that this wouldn't be the correct thing to do anyway. A lawn only needs .5 to 1.5 inches of water a week. A good way to know if your lawn has had enough water is to use a small, empty, and clean tuna can to pour water on your lawn each week.

Use a Broom to Clean Your Driveway

Just like most people, I fall victim to wanting a clean driveway at times and use a hose to clean out the driveway. However, instead of using a hose, if it is not necessary, using a broom to sweep the driveway clean is a better idea. This does not mean a boom from inside should be used to clean the drive way. It is good idea to keep a broom for outside and a boom for inside.

Don't Run the Water While Washing Dishes

I find that if I can sit, doing the dishes is a relaxing chore. However, I do tend to run the water while doing dishes. I know that this is not good and instead I should use one side of the sink for soapy water and then the other side of the sink or another dish for clean water to rinse the dishes, However, while rinsing the dishes, they should still be held above the soapy side as to not get soap in the rinse water.

Collect Water Use for Rinsing Fruits and Vegetables

I never thought about how much water can be wasted by simply washing fruits and vegetables. I know that this water is meant to clean them and it should not be consumed. However, I did not think about collecting it to water plants and the lawn.

Defrost Food Without Using Water

I have rarely defrosted food using water. I think I may have done it once or twice, but in general, i tend to let frozen food sit out for a little bit or put in the the fridge the day before it is needed. I'll then also use the defrost setting on the microwave. These are the things to do in order to save water.

Turn Off Water While Brushing Your Teeth

I love to have clean teeth, especially when going to bed. it feels right. It helped me to brush my teeth when the character, Malina, from The Emperor's New School said that not brushing her teeth made them feel like they were wearing a bunch of fuzzy sweaters. That is the feeling that I often get if I don't at least brush my teeth before bed. I am good because I do not run the water while I brush my teeth like I have seen. I use a Reach flosser and I don't run the water until I need to rinse it. I then take out my toothbrush, put toothpaste on it, and brush my teeth. I don't run the water until I need to rinse it. Then, I only run the water when I need it to rinse my mouth. Not running water like this helps save water.

Displace Water in Your Toilet

When I was in fifth grade, I remember my teacher talking about displacing water in the toilet to save it. One of the beliefs was that putting a brick in the tank was a good idea. However, I learned that what happens is that the brick dissolves. A better idea is to use a soda bottle that fits in the tank and to weight it down with something like rice or beans. At the worst, fill it with water. Make sure the cap is glue on tightly and then place it in the toilet tank. Then the water in the toilet will be displaced with something that does not dissolve.

Sources:

Home and Garden - Green Living Tips - Sierra Club. (n.d.). Sierra Club Home Page: Explore, Enjoy and Protect the Planet . Retrieved December 21, 2011, from http://www.sierraclub.org/tips/home-garden.aspx

100 Ways To Conserve | Water – Use It Wisely. (n.d.). Water Conservation Tips, Facts and Resources | Water - Use It Wisely . Retrieved December 21, 2011, from http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

Personal Experience