1 of 42

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

needs to become habit for everyone in the household and a lifestyle. When done over a period of time, the savings make an enormous impact on the supply one uses.

The commodes are water hogs but the water must go down only once; however, there's no need to let anymore flush than absolutely has to. If the tank in your home is one of the older ones that takes to much water, put some large stones or bottles into the holding tank to displace the water. It works.

Save in the Laundry Room

All of us know to save water it is smart to wait until there is a full load of clothes to wash. There is other ways to save water; lots of water. It requires some effort and energy. Here again, you need a very large tub beside your washer and you will need a smaller pail with a handle. In the hook-up panel in back of the washing machine there is a rubber hose placed into the drainage pipe. Hopefully yours is long enough to be placed into the tub beside the washer. Back in the old days when it was laundry day, we used the same water for more than one load of clothes and the clothes were clean when we were finished. The secret is in the sorting. First, wash the fine whites; blouses, dress shirts, lingerie, etc. Wash this load first and instead of letting the water go down the drain, it collects in the big tub. When the wash cycle finishes, put in another load of laundry. Use the smaller pail to dip the water back into the washing machine. You will need to add more detergent, but it takes less than if you were starting with the first water. This second water, as it's called, is good for towels and washcloths, bedding, etc. The first load is in waiting. The rinsing comes later. When the third water comes out, more detergent is added and it is good for blue jeans, work clothes, etc. If you have throw rugs, pet bedding, etc., wash that load of laundry in the last water. Rinse in the same manner; it might take two tubs of rinse water to get the best results. This is why a day was set aside for laundry day. The clothes were saved until there were enough to sort into full loads to wash in the same water. When water is a precious commodity, it is used sparingly. Not only are you saving on water, but it doesn't take as much detergent either. It takes lots more time and energy. I put my laundry on drying racks, hang on hangers on rods and I use the dryer for permanent press and towels.

Save on car washes

Back in the old days car washes were done in a pull-off in the creek bed. I don't know how many of these are still around anymore. Car washes was a social time for country kids. Not many cars were around and not many cars got washed very often like nowadays. When the car did get washed, a crew would gang up and get rags and rub the dirt and bugs off the car and let them float off down the creek. There were pony tails and crews cuts all around the monsters in the creek-bed, laughing, yelling, and having a good time flopping rags around in the water. We didn't use a drop of water. We saved it all. Nowadays, a better way to save would be to run a five gallon bucket full of water for soaping. Wet a section of car at a time and wash with a sponge using the soapy bucket then rinse. It's a shame you can't go down to the creek.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Bunch.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about Ways to save water at home?
We want to hear your view. Write now!