Kitchen
- When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
- Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1,000 gallons a month.
- Use the garbage disposal sparingly as disposals waste water and create havoc for your plumbing.
- Compost your food scraps instead and save gallons every time.
- Throw trimmings and peelings from fruits and vegetables into your yard compost to prevent from using the garbage disposal.
- Wash your produce in the sink or a pan that is partially filled with water instead of running water from the tap.
- Designate one glass for your drinking water each day. This will cut down on the number of times you run your dishwasher.
- When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.
- Don't use running water to thaw food.
- If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
- Cut back on rinsing if your dishwasher is new. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
- Make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets.
- Soak your pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
- Cook food in as little water as possible. This will also retain more of the nutrients.
- Select the proper size pans for cooking. Large pans require more cooking water than may be necessary.
- Turn off the faucet while washing your hands, brushing your teeth, shaving and rinsing dishes.