Presently in some parts of the U.S. there are drought conditions. Ness, a regular "Clipper" contributor sent us these tips. They are from Rodale Press and we received their permission to print them.
Place a brick in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used with each flush.
Keep an empty gallon jug near the sink, and pour any
leftover water from cooking or drinking into it. Once the jug is full, use
water on plants in the garden or home, which should be watered in evening to reduce loss to evaporation.
Pour leftover water from steaming vegetables into a bucket, add a little ammonia and use to mop floor.
Keep a gardening can near sink, and put under faucet when you are waiting for hot water to warm up. Once full, use for gardening.
Mulch around plants with grass clippings, compost, straw or ground bark. The mulching will reduce evaporation and hold moisture in the soil longer. In fact, long term mulching with organic materials reduces the amount of water your garden needs because it increases the soil's water holding capacity.
Place a bucket in your shower to catch water that is wasted while you wait for it to warm up, and during your shower.
Take dirty water from bird baths, flower vases, or pet dishes and reuse on potted plants.
If you have a dehumidifier, use the water it collects to water plants or garden.
Install water saving shower heads, faucets, etc., and for long-term savings, a low-flush toilet.
Draw a small amount of warm water in the basin before your shave, and use that to clean razor rather than leaving the water running.
Drink bottled water such as spring water instead of tap water.
Repair all leaks to faucets. One drop a second wastes 2,400 gallons of water a year.
Only run dishwashers or washing machines when full.
Instead of using hot water, defrost foods overnight or use a microwave.
Keep your garden weed free since weeds drink up any available water in the soil.
On those rare occasions it does rain, leave buckets outside to collect water for washing cars, watering plants, and gardens.
Turn off ice-makers for refrigerators and use trays instead until drought passes.
Cover tender plants with light sheets or even tipped over patio chairs to reduce excessive sun exposure.
Use recyclable plates and cups to cut down on washing of dishes.
If you use non-phosphate detergents, and no bleach in the wash, rinse water from the washing machine can be saved and used on lawn and garden.
Don't use a dishwasher. What a waste of water! Fill a dishpan with hot soapy water. Wash all the dishes. Then use a pan or sink of fresh water to rinse. Only a few gallons of water are used this way. You save water and the cost of running a dishwasher. Mrs Kathy Cohen Northfield,VT
Drinking bottled water saves no water and cost too much! Fill a pitcher with water and keep full in the fridge. I do place my water can under the faucet in the morning and let it fill while running the water for my coffee. This is a good idea if you have metal pipes or your municpality has old pipes. It flushes any lead that has settled in the pipes overnight. Mrs Kathy Cohen Northfield,VT
Do not use a brick in the toilet tank. The brick can disolve over time and ruin your toilet. If you want to take up space in the tank use a plastic bottle filled with water. Even if the bottle cracks over time it won't ruin the tank.
I got a good giggle at the tip about using water from veggie steaming and ammonia to mop the floor. We steam veggies frequently in cooler weather & never have more than a half cup of water left. How can one mop the floor with that. I use leftover dishwater. - Linne
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