Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Simple Tips for Conserving Water from WaterSavers {Prize Pack Giveaway!}

 watersavers logo
After I casually mentioned Earth Day in conversation a few weeks ago, Big Sister E's curiosity took over and, before I knew it, we were having an in-depth discussion on all things environment and eco-friendly (if this kid grows up and saves the world one day, there's a chance that I might claim a little bit of credit).

While we all know that we should turn off lights when we leave a room and recycle as much as possible, it is important to think of all of the ways that we use our resources and, in turn, about the simple changes we can make in our lives to be a little more eco-friendly.

Which is why now during Earth Month it is the perfect time to turn to WaterSavers, a consumer awareness campaign from the International Carwash Association (ICA), for all of their great tips to conserve water.

WaterSavers Car Washing

WaterSavers is committed to promoting the importance of using eco-friendly car washes that use less fresh water and return clean water back into the environment.

Think that any old car wash is the same as the next one or that it doesn't matter how often you run your washing machine or dishwasher? Think again with these 3 Simple Tips for Conserving 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.

eco-friendly car wash

2. Go Green and Keep Your Whites White – It’s easy to take steps to conserve water 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.

washing clothes

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.

low-flow showerhead

For much more great information and tips on how to conserve water this month (and all year round), visit WashWithWaterSavers.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will be even more prepared to be eco-friendly this month and beyond, because...

One lucky person will win a WaterSavers Prize Pack*!

*Prize Pack includes: (1) Tote Bag, (1) Folding Umbrella, (1) 22 oz. Guzzy Water Bottle filtering water bottle, (1) Jelly Stick Non-Slip Grip for Car Dash and (1) 16 oz. ThermalView Insulated Travel Tumbler


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.

128 comments:

Paula V said...

Turn off the water while doing dishes, brushing teeth. Don't let it warm up longer than necessary.

Unknown said...

I conserve water by taking a shower instead of a bath!!

Lisa Ehrman said...

We save by only running full loads on the dishwasher and clothes washer. We turn off the faucet, when scrubbing up and brushing teeth.

Natalie Parvis-Nichols said...

I turn off the water while brushing my teeth and washing dishes
natalie parvis
diesel_had_my_baby@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I use cold water, as much as possible, when running the washer.

Susan Johnson said...

I own a high efficiency washing machine, run my dishwasher on light wash, wash pots and pans with a wet, soapy sponge in the sink and only use water to rinse them clean.

JJ said...

cold water washing of laundry, no running faucet while brushing teeth or shaving...

CindyWindy2003 said...

i have a rain barrel collecting water for watering plants, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com

Amanda Rauch said...

We only use water when we have to. We have a well so we try to conserve as much as we can. We only water outside plants when we need to and only do full loads of laundry. I have tried to convince my family to take shorter showers but that has not worked so far :)

Marti Tabora said...

I collect rainwater for my plants.

Unknown said...

I take shorter showers and don't let the water run while brushing my teeth.

Unknown said...

We use water running off the mountain to water the garden. And we take our vehicles and our buckets to the pond to wash them.

Anne said...

We use low-flow aerators on the faucets and a front-loading washer.

slb3334 said...

brush teeth in shower.

Linda Szymoniak said...

We've added low-flow filters to all our sinks and showers. It cuts the use of water down by quite a bit. I also avoid running dish washer and washing machine without full loads.

Darlene said...

We always take showers instead of baths

Savor The Days said...

We catch rain water and use that on our flowerpots.
kim(at)kimberlychance(dot)com

Teresa said...

I'm always mindful of not letting the water run continuously while brushing my teeth or washing/rinsing dishes.

janetfaye said...

I don't leave water running when I wash the dishes.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I conserve water by washing clothes only with a full load of laundry & avoiding taking baths. Sometimes we are able to capture grey water to water the plants with.

aperry said...

turn off water while brushing teeth

sdavis said...

turn off water while washing dishes, rinse them all at one time

slehan said...

I take short showers
Thanks for the contest.

slehan at juno dot com

Unknown said...

We use salt in our water. We also turn off water while brushing our teeth and taking very quick showers.

Unknown said...

We collect rainwater for our plants.

Anonymous said...

We do not live where the association will punish us for not watering the lawn, so we don't! I collect rain water to water the flowers. We had a timer for the shower when all the kids lived at home. I made them turn off the water when brushing teeth. I never wash clothes until I have a full load.

Unknown said...

by only doing dishes, laundry, etc. only on certain days of the week and not everyday

justsuzyq69 said...

I still do dishes by hand. A small sink full of water goes a long way. Rinsing dishes in cold as well helps too. We always turn the water off while brushing teeth. My daughter keeps me in check with reuse, recycle, and reduce.

Unknown said...

try to do one load of wash a week

♡♥♬ Louis ♬♥♡ said...

never let the washer run half empty
Thank you for hosting this giveaway

Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

April M said...

We toss both kids in the bath instead of running the water twice.

Marianna said...

Turn the tap off while we brush our teeth

ShellyH said...

We do a lot of gardening so we use rain collecting systems to collect rain water for watering it. We also use an eco-friendly water conserving hose, shower heads & faucets.

Robert said...

We only water our plants at night, which cuts down on how much you need to use.

frugalistamommy said...

I turn the water off when I brush my teeth!

Unknown said...

we don't go to the car wash, we consider a rainy day a free car wash :)

Michele P. said...

we use low flow shower heads

mahnrafjtb said...

We have low flow toilets. as well as we shut off the water when we brush our teeth.

kathy f said...

We take shorter showers and only wash full loads of dishes and laundry.

caseyle2010 said...

we take quick showers!
caseyeve_003 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

One way I conserve water is by only doing laundry when I have a full load that needs to be washed. s2inamug at aim dot com

mogrill said...

We time our showers.
Thanks for the chance.
mogril12@gmail.com

Sadie said...

I conserve water by taking 5 minute showers.

Dawn said...

We no longer wash the side walk bricks we only sweep. We also makesure we do full loads of laundry.

Melissa Zimmerman said...

Installed low flow toilets

Knead a Latte - Ruby said...

shorter showers and not letting water run freely

hoeyhooper said...

winit today

rosannepm said...

Full loads of dishes and laundry

Unknown said...

shut off water while washin hair

Leanne Hill said...

shorter showers and turning off the faucet when brushing teeth

Elaine said...

i turn the water off when i brush my teeth

tatertot374 said...

rain barrels

/\Heather/\ said...

Water off when brushing, full loads of dishes and laundry. Yay!

Anonymous said...

Keeping the water off while brushing.

llinda29 said...

Take shorter showers

Cserafini said...

I try to take shorter showers.

Unknown said...

We turn the water off while brushing our teeth.

walk9 said...

Shorter showers.

Unknown said...

We wait until we have a full load before we start the washer.

Unknown said...

I wait till I have a full load of clothes before washing. I also try to take shorter showers and I don't let the water run while brushing my teeth.

Rebecca W. said...

turn off water when brushing your teeth.

Unknown said...

We use toilet tank briks

Gina F. said...

We turn off the water while brushing our teeth and washing dishes.

Allison said...

I only do laundry when I have a full load.

Unknown said...

We bought an eco showerhead, that uses less water. We also have rain barrel collection for the garden

Bo said...

I turn off the water as I'm brushing my teeth!

issasnyder2325 said...

Collect rain water to put on plants instead of using hose.

Unknown said...

I turn off the water while brushing my teeth or putting the soap on my hands!

Terra Heck said...

I use only cold water to do my laundry and don't linger in the shower. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Aleksandra Nearing said...

We have a water filter so that we don't need to buy bottled water.

tscatterton57 said...

Save rain water too use for different things plus buy front load washer uses less water.

tina reynolds said...

turn water off when brushing teeth doing dishes if using dishwasher make sure its a full load

tiffanynichole89 said...

we conserve water by taking quick showers.

Nicole C. said...

We turn the water off while brushing our teeth!

bettycd said...

do not water the lawn - nor do we set up landscaping that takes a lot of watering to maintain

Lisa said...

I try to take short showers

annies home said...

shorter showers and not running water while doing dishes

mecarolks said...

I don't leave water running when I brush my teeth.

Melissa said...

Turn off the water when I'm washing my hair

Cori Westphal said...

I have a rain barrel for my garden!

coriwestphal at msn dot com

polly said...

I don't keep the water running when brushing my teeth

Gloria S said...

I don't run my dishwasher until it is entirely full

Gloria S said...

I like Mail Carrier on Facebook

Karen said...

I use the dirty water from my fishtank to water and feed my plants.

iggysaysno said...

empty water into fishpond

April said...

I always leave the water off while doing things like brushing my teeth and doing dishes. We also have a low water use washing machine, it uses half of the water most machines do.

amos122902 said...

We put 1/2 gallon containers of water into our toilet tanks. Everytime we flush, we use 1/2 gallon less of water.

Unknown said...

Shorter showers,k bucket in shower to catch extra water for flowers while running water to get it hot, hot water heater is far from shower at least some water goes to flowers..

Kathy said...

I only wash laundry when I have a full load.

Austin Baroudi said...

We turn the water off when doing the dishes and brushing our teeth and try to limit our selves to 5 minute showers.
mcfallsk8er(at)aim(dot)com

Unknown said...

we turn the water off while brushing are teeth, we catch rain water for the plants, and we always weight for full load of dishes are clothes before washing

Sarah said...

Turn off the water when brushing teeth.

Unknown said...

We make sure we turn off the water when we are brushing our teeth.

bbrittbrat1398 said...

cut my showers short

Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com

Roy F. said...

I turn off the faucet when brushing my teeth

Unknown said...

I turn off the lights when we're not in the room and shut the water off while brushing my teeth.

Kaelyn L. said...

Turn the water off when I brush my teeth!

Shea =) said...

we use water saving faucets, turn water off when not using it, etc =)

amanda whitley said...

taking shorter showers

lissaxolove said...

Shorter showers and turn faucet off when brushing teeth

Unknown said...

I try to take quick showers.

julescar74 said...

making sure I only run the dishwasher when its full

laurasloves said...

We only water the lawn twice a week and in the evenings.
Laurie Emerson

Unknown said...

I turn the water off in between rinsing dishes.

cman said...

Turn it off when not in use.

Chaffle Chicken said...

We installed water saver toilets.

Karri Janiece Steed said...

I turn off the water while I brush my teeth.

Linda Sales said...

By running a full load of laundry instead of anything less.

Unknown said...

I use baby wipes instead of showering.

cassandra marquez said...

I have shortened the time I take showers.

Melanie Montgomery said...

I reduce shower time

Leslie S. said...

We only do full loads in the wash and only in cold water.We also run a full sink of water for washing and rinsing dishes so no running water during.We catch rain water for plants and many more things.

Unknown said...

I take short showers, I turn the water off while brushing my teeth and I only wash full loads in my washer.

GracePartyof5 said...

we use rain water to water our gardens and plants!

Teresa Thompson said...

We catch rain water and use it for the gardens.

Angela Nichols said...

We do not let the water run while doing dishes or brushing our teeth.

Unknown said...

dont let the water run while we brush are teeth and use cold water to wash our clothes

JA said...

I conserve by not eating beef. It takes 1,600 GALLONS of water to process 1 pounds of beef.

Anonymous said...

Our home never lets the water run while brushing teeth, doing dishes, etc.

Tammy said...

Low flow toilets.
No one lets the water run while brushing teeth.
Low flow valves on all faucets
Heat sensor on the shower. Shuts off shower water when it reaches the right temp. Keeps the kids from standing around thinking it's still warming up.

Kathy P said...

we try to take quick showers and lowered our water pressure

bunnyswagg said...

We try not to buy water bottles when out and we always bring a mug or tumbler, or reusable water bottle with us everywhere in our recycable bags

susansmoaks said...

we go to the car wash to wash our cars and we turn off the water when we brush
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I don't take showers! Haha jk.. I do remember not to leave the water running while brushing my teeth. I also make sure I have a full load before tuning on the dish washer. lieutcrunch27 (at) gmail (dot) com

blew415 said...

turn off the sink while brushing my teeth

Anonymous said...

I wash with cold water
Allison.bahr@yahoo.com

lmurley2000 said...

we have a rain barrell for water outside things

lmurley2000@yahoo.com

lilyk said...

I conserve water by taking shorter showers.