by Tip Hero Dennis Hung

How much water do your use at home? If you’re an average family of four, the Environmental Protection Agency reports that you probably use 400 gallons of water every day. Here are seven tips to help you conserve this vitally important natural resource and save money.

1. While Washing Dishes

As you wash dishes by hand, you can easily conserve water when you turn off your faucet. Simply fill a dishpan with clean water to rinse your dishes, and clean greasy pots and soiled pans with ease when you soak them in hot water for an hour or two instead of scrubbing them under running water. You can also encourage your family to use the same dishes all day instead of dirtying several different ones. If you choose to use a dishwasher, start it only after it’s completely full of dirty dishes.

2. As You’re Cooking

Conserve water and prepare meals with ease every time you cook. First, place an empty dish pan or large bowl in the sink and use it to collect water as you rinse fruits and vegetables or drain pasta. That water can then provide much needed moisture to your indoor plants. You can also stop wasting water when you toss vegetable waste in the compost bin instead of down the garbage disposal.

3. During Your Showers

Bubble baths are relaxing, but a shower uses less water, especially when you install a low-flow shower head and scrub hard water residue off it every week. You’ll also conserve water in the shower when you turn it off as you lather your body and hair. Encourage your family members to set a timer to four minutes, too, to use only 20 gallons of water and reduce your household water usage.

4. At the Bathroom Sink

Dentists recommend you brush your teeth at least twice a day. You’ll waste five to 10 gallons of water, though, if you let it run as you improve your oral health. Turn off the water as you brush your teeth and shave, and rinse your razors in a cup of water instead of under running water. You’ll also conserve this resource when you wash your face with pre-moistened cloths instead of water.

5. In the Toilet

You certainly need to flush your toilet regularly, but you conserve water when you toss rather than flush tissues, cigarette butts and other garbage. Save additional water when you replace your old toilet a with high-efficiency model. If you can’t replace the toilet, place a brick or a water bottle filled with pebbles (make sure the lid is secure so the pebbles don’t interfere with the workings of your toilet) into the tank; this will displace a certain amount of water, and result in less wasted water per flush. Repair leaks right away, too, to prevent wasted water.

6. When Cleaning the House

From washing the tub to mopping the floors, water is a cleaning tool we all use regularly. Use less of it when you scrub the tub while it’s still damp from your shower, and don’t rinse the surface until after you’re finished scrubbing. You’ll also want to replace your traditional mop with a steam mop that sanitizes your floors and reduces your water usage.

7. In the Garden

Buy drought-resistant plants, and you’ve contributed to conserving water in your garden. When you do need to water your flower beds and lawn, install an automatic watering system. It considers the weather and your lawn’s current condition as it delivers the right amount of water to your landscaping. You can also set it up to turn on the sprinkler early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce evaporation and water waste. Carefully place the sprinkler, too, so that you water your plants and not the street.

Saving water around your house is easy when you implement these seven tips. Gather your family today and discuss the importance of water conservation. Then, ask everyone to participate. Together, you’ll be able to make a difference