Since last summer, I have tried to be more conscious about conserving water in our home. We were able to upgrade our washer and dryer to a more energy-efficient model and I’ve tried to run less water in my “luxury baths” and turn off the water while brushing my teeth. These are little things, but they do add up.
In recognition of April being Earth Month, WaterSavers, a consumer awareness campaign from the International Carwash Association® (ICA), has 3 simple tips for conserving water.
3 Simple Ways To Conserve Water
1. How to Be Green and Clean Your Driving Machine – Keeping your car clean with regular washing is an important part of responsible maintenance, but washing at home with a garden hose can use more than 60 gallons of water in as little as five minutes. Furthermore, you’re putting harmful chemicals and detergents down storm sewers and that ends up polluting our rivers and streams.
You may be surprised to learn there is a greener way to keep your car sparkling: a professional car wash. A common misconception is that professional car washes waste water, when in fact the opposite is true. WaterSavers professional car washes, for example, use an average of no more than 40 gallons of fresh water per vehicle – less than the average home washing machine, which uses 41 gallons per load, according to the EPA. Professional car washes also responsibly dispose of — and in many cases recycle and re-use — the water runoff.
2. Go Green and Keep Your Whites White – It’s easy to take steps to conserve H2O and keep your wardrobe fresh. First, only run the clothes washer when you have a full load. Make this habit for both your clothes washer and dishwasher, and you can save up to 1,000 gallons of water a month, according to Wateruseitwisely.com.
You get extra green points if you use cold water when washing your clothes. Approximately 86 percent of the energy used by washing machines is for heating the water. Washing with cold water eliminates 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year from just one household, according to the Sierra Club.
3. Break Bad Bathroom Habits – Bathrooms are water hogs, accounting for about 75 percent of a home’s water usage. Adopting a green mindset in the bathroom can save major water and money. Start by switching to a low-flow showerhead, which National Geographic says saves 15 gallons of water during a 10-minute shower. Keep the occasional bath for a special treat because the average tub takes about 70 gallons to fill, so showers are much more efficient
Be sure to check out WaterSavers on Facebook and Twitter.
Giveaway
I have a WaterSavers prize pack to share with one lucky reader.
The prize pack includes the following:
· Tote Bag
· Folding Umbrella
· 22 oz. Guzzy Water Bottle (filtering water bottle)
· Jelly Stick Non-Slip Grip for Car Dash
· 16 oz. ThermalView Insulated Travel Tumbler
To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway ends May 6, 2013 at 12 AM EST. US ONLY. Void where prohibited.
I am working with the International Carwash Association to share these tips for conserving water. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
I make sure everyone shuts off the water when brushing teeth. I also have the kids bathe the same nights and just add a bit of warm water for the second one (unless it is really bad). I would love to get one of those rain barrels for watering plants, that sounds like a great idea.
I have both boys bathe on the same nights. When the baby’s done, I add some warm water for my oldest instead of draining the tub.
i have a rain barrel collector to water my plants
i use the leftover water in my refillable water bottles to fill the dogs dish and water the plants.