Using Water Wisely
by Betsy Crisp, M.S., L.D.
Extension Family and Consumer Sciences
| When water must be conserved because of water use restrictions or when water in wells is low, there are many ways to make a little water do more for us. Once we try methods that are new to us, they can become habits. Water is essential for many general housecleaning tasks. Often several tasks can be done at the same time, thus saving water. Significant amounts of water are used, and sometimes wasted, performing outdoor activities, such as washing cars and irrigating lawns and gardens. Careful use of water can reduce this waste. |
| Liberal outdoor watering for gardens and lawns can take
more water than is used inside a home. When water use
must be restricted, look for ways to protect plants and
still conserve water. Soapy water that comes from soap you use on your skin is all right for outdoor plants. Do not use water on plants that has a bleach or borax compound in it; it could damage them. Rinse water can be used on outdoor or indoor plants. Collect run-off from roofs and paved areas for use in the garden or for indoor plants. Mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Spread leaves, lawn clippings, newspapers or plastic around plants. Mulching also controls weeds that compete with garden plants for water. Lawns should be watered during hours when the water system experiences the least demand―usually early in the morning. Avoid watering in the heat of the day or when it is windy, as this increases water waste through evaporation. Top |
| Outdoor cleaning is another big user of water.
Think about different ways to reduce water when washing your
car. Use a bucket of sudsy water to remove soil from
the car. Rinse with another bucket of clean water and
hose down only as a final rinse. You could also drive
your car onto the lawn before you wash it. You would
then water the grass as you wash your car. You can
even take advantage of a gentle rain to wash your car.
Get out there with soap and a sponge. Use a broom, rather than hose and water, to clean the garage, patio, sidewalks and driveway. If you have a swimming pool, cover it when it's not in use to prevent dirt and leaves from blowing in and to reduce evaporation. Clean the swimming pool filter frequently, so you won't have to replace the water as often. And don't dump the children's wading pool water into the gutter. Direct it toward trees and shrubs to provide additional moisture. Top |
| Dirt prevention pays big dividends in reducing water
used in cleaning. Use door mats to keep dirt out of
the house. Sweep or vacuum floors regularly and wipe
up small spills as they occur. These measures make
frequent mopping unnecessary. When you do mop, use two
buckets―one for wash water,
one for rinsing; this reduces the amount of water you must
run. For other cleaning tasks―washing
windows, appliances, baby furniture―use buckets of water
instead of constantly running water. Vacuum carpets and rugs frequently, so you won't need to shampoo them as often. Take care of spots as they occur. Do household cleaning chores together and save water. Don't run a sink full of water to wash one item. Try to wash several items at a time. Use outdoor blowers on drives and walkways to reduce water loss from hosing down areas. |
| When the telephone rings, the baby cries or the neighbor
calls, it's easy to forget that the sprinkler is going or
the hose is running. Use a kitchen timer to help you
remember when it's time to turn off the water. Better
yet, have timers installed on your sprinkler system. Top |
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