Do you feel a pang of panic and guilt when the water bill arrives? Like HOW do you use that much water and think OUCH to the money spent on water flushed down the drain? SAME.
Here are 14 water-saving tips you can start using today!
PLUS, when you take part in the super simple #FinishWaterWaste challenge, you’ll not only SAVE water, you’re also helping out an Aussie farmer with a water donation! #WinWin
We’re a country of big water users. HUGE.
On average, Australians use around 340 litres of water per day. And those living in rural farming communities, or living on Level 5 water restrictions are using less than half of this.
Finish launch #FinishWaterWaste
The team at Finish has launched the #FinishWaterWaste 40 Litre Challenge and we at Mum Central really want to get behind such a great initiative.
Here’s how it works.
For the next 12 months, Finish will donate up to 10,000,000 litres of water to communities in need over the coming year. There are THREE ways you can get involved to help out our Aussie farmers.
- Simply, don’t pre-rinse your dishes! Make the promise to stop pre-rinsing your dishes before stacking the dishwasher and you’re well on your way to saving water. You can make your promise here to Finish and they’ll deliver 40 litres of water to a farmer. Sweet.
- Up for a super challenge? Try spending a day living on just 40 litres of water. That’s a BIG challenge, but we think you can do it!
- Finish will also donate 40 litres of water to drought-affected Aussies via Rural Aid when you purchase Finish Quantum Ultimate Pro in-store at Coles supermarkets between 2nd September and 27th October 2020.
Every Australian who takes part and shares the #FinishWaterWaste hashtag on social media, Finish together with Rural Aid will donate 40 litres of water to a drought-stricken farmer.
But HOW am I using SO much water?
It’s a tough one, but you’ll no doubt be shocked at the volume of water you unknowingly use each and every day. Studies show we use roughly the following amount of water for each of these daily activities:
- A one minute shower with a water-efficient showerhead uses 6 to 9 litres of water
- Using the half-flush on a dual-flushing toilet uses 3 to 5 litres of water.
- Washing hands for 20 seconds uses 5 to 6 litres of water.
- Brushing your teeth morning and night, WITHOUT a running water tap uses 1 to 2 litres of water.
- A 6-star dishwasher uses 9.5 litres of water in a cycle.
- ONE person drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day uses 2 to 2½ litres of water.
- Rinsing fruit and vegetables in a bowl uses 1 to 2 litres of water.
- Filling pets’ water bowls uses 2 to 4 litres of water.
See, that’s a LOT of water being used doing just the most basic, everyday things.
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Obviously, we must still keep hydrated, wash our hands and brush our teeth but we can still save water in other ways! Here are 14 water-saving tips you can start using TODAY!
1. Steam instead of boiling!
Try steaming instead of boiling when cooking. Instead of boiling vegetables in pots full of water, try steaming them which not only uses less water but is also healthier for you!
2. Rub-a-dub-dub, ALL in the tub
If you have young children, bathe the kids together. Once the water loses temperature, it’s time to jump out not fill back up.
3. Blitz shower times
Cut down on shower time, ideally to under 5 minutes. Use a shower timer or play a favourite song while in the shower. When the song is finished, so is your shower!
4. You don’t always have to run a tap!
Don’t run taps. Stop yourself from running a tap to brush your teeth by filling a cup and using that instead.
5. Have buckets at the ready
Don’t waste water in the shower or sink while waiting for water to heat up. Grab buckets and collect it for the garden or to use later.
6. Don’t put off fixing a leak
Any leak – even the slowest of drips – should be fixed immediately. It could be as easy as swapping out an old washer fitting for new.
7. Stop rinsing plates and start scraping!
Quit pre-rinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher! Scrape them free of food scraps (into a bin) and then stack them into the dishwasher. Use a good quality dishwashing tablet such as Finish to do the work for you!
8. Never wash half a dishwasher load
Run a FULL dishwasher. Running a half-filled dishwasher is a waste of water AND electricity.
9. Same rule applies for the washing machine
Run a FULL washing machine.
10. Drink it straight away!
Keep drinking water in the fridge. People who drink from the tap will often let the water run until it cools and THEN fill their cup. No more!
11. Splish and splash on a SMALLER scale this summer
Summer is coming and kids do love to set up the sprinkler. Instead of running hoses, buy a small clam-shell pool and empty buckets of saved water into that. Bonus is if it’s on the grass – the garden benefits too.
12. Smart gardening
Gardening can be a water-intensive hobby. Save those buckets of shower water for the garden and the lawn and water early morning or in the evening so your plants can make the most of it.
13. Reuse your water!
Greywater from your washing machine rinse cycle can be used on your lawn too. Check with your local council about any greywater rules first, but often, you can run a hose straight out of your laundry to the grass. Just make sure you’re using a suitable detergent which won’t harm your garden.
14. Catch what is free from the sky!
Catch your rainwater. It makes sense – it’s FREE WATER. If you’re in an area where it frequently rains, make sure your tank is ready to catch it!
Turn these water-saving tips into a fun family exercise – who does everyone think can have the shortest shower? Save water, save money, and help an Australian farmer out with Finish!
