Although we have a lot of it, water is a precious resource. And since we have easy access to water in Quebec, it is important to take care of it! Would you also like to participate in these efforts and learn how to reduce your water consumption?
In addition to offering you a range of environmentally friendly toilet paper and paper towels made from 100% recycled fibres, Cascades Fluff & Tuff® share with you their water saving tips for home, to help you avoid wasting dozens of litres of water.
What are some simple water saving tips for your home?
Reducing the amount of water that we use in our household is not rocket science. Small changes in habits are accessible to everyone. To avoid waste and save water, here are some simple steps to take today:
1. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
How can you reduce your water consumption in bathrooms? The first step is to turn the faucet off in order to avoid running the tap water unnecessarily. This applies when you brush your teeth, wash your hands, or wash your dishes in the kitchen! These small gestures let you save gallons of water over the course of the year.
2. Take short showers
Are you wondering how to reduce your consumption in the bathroom? First, you have to choose between taking a bath or a shower.
In theory, showers are therefore more economical, but it all depends on how long you take and the type of showerhead!
To optimize your water consumption, take shorter showers (about 5 minutes) rather than baths or use a flow restrictor! You can use a little hourglass to make the activity fun and help young and old limit their shower time.
3. Wash your clothes only when the hamper is full
Did you know that a load of laundry consumes more than 100 litres of water? Teach your children the importance of reducing their washing and run the clothes washer only when it is full. This habit also applies to the dishwasher!
In addition, some clothes and textiles can be washed in cold water! This saves hot water and reduces your energy consumption. For your wash cycle, do not forget eco mode either, which is available on many washing machines and very useful to save a few gallons per load.
Nowadays, you can choose modern dishwashers or laundry machines that are water-efficient. This will help you reduce your energy bills and hundreds of gallons per year!
4. Solve faucet leak problems
Knowing how to reduce your water consumption also means optimizing your everyday installations and appliances. Make sure to check your hose connection quickly and replace damaged plumbing when necessary.
5. Use water saving devices
Several solutions allow you to reduce your consumption:
● Installing showerheads with reduced flow
● Prioritizing more efficient flushing systems
● Using a water saver (also called an excess flow valve) instead of a standard tap
● Using a pool cover is a good solution to prevent water evaporation when it is not in use. This may prevent significant water waste for your home!
6. Reuse grey water or rainwater
Several techniques make it possible to reduce your water consumption, such as collecting rainwater or using cooking water, for example. You can then use these water resources for watering your green lawn and your plants or cleaning other items outside.
Don’t forget to monitor your water meter. You will be able to see how much water you have saved since the beginning!
Adopting sustainable habits, one step at a time
In addition to this list, other actions can be added, such as:
● Limiting food waste;
● Having a garden with trees and plants that don’t require too much water;
● Buying fewer water-intensive products.
Now you know how to reduce your environmental impact with a few simple gestures. To introduce these small changes in your daily life, take it one step at a time as a family. And turn it into a game to make learning fun!
Pssst! If you’ve found useful tips in our article, you might also be interested in other similar topics. To learn more about small gestures to reduce your ecological footprint, discover how these practices fit into the sustainable development context, or get tips for your eco-conscious travels, don’t hesitate to explore our dedicated resources. These complementary articles will help you make greener choices every day!