Kitchen
- #1
There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.
- #2
When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
- #3
Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. Now, Energy Star dishwashers save even more water and energy.
- #4
If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
- #5
Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
- #6
Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
- #7
Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.
- #8
Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
- #9
Don’t use running water to thaw food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.
- #10
Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
- #11
Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
- #12
Reuse leftover water from cooked or steamed foods to start a nutritious soup, it’s one more way to get eight glasses of water a day.
- #13
Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.
- #14
Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.
- #15
If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
- #16
Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables. Use it to water house plants.
- #17
When shopping for a new dishwasher, use the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water use between models.