TIPS ON HOW TO REUSE WATER

We live in Colorado, where water is top of mind for many homeowners and communities.Just writing about it makes me thirsty!

Here are some easy tips on how to reuse water!

Full disclosure -We are a divided house on the issue of water use and reuse. One of us grew up with parents who repurposed the scissors in a travel-size sewing kit.

And the other one grew up with parents who bought a dozen bars of Dove Soap just in case they ran out before the following week’s grocery shopping day.

But somehow our love and respect outweighed the habit of one of us comingling aluminum cans with discarded chicken.

It takes all of my inner Elle Woods t0 to not shut off the water to take a stand on the value of water reuse strategies.

Since my husband likely thinks Elle Woods is a neighbor, maybe he will get on board with Bob Vila.

SIMPLE WATER REUSE IDEAS

I am not ready to save the grey water (sink and shower water), but over the last few years, I have practiced reusing water. Please read to the end and share your tips for others to read in the comments!

Curious? Let’s go!

Here are a few ideas on how to reduce water and water bills.

Stop Tossing Water

We live in Colorado, where water is always top of mind, given the state’s water restrictions, high fire dangers (and property insurance) and high water bills.

Years ago, I stopped tossing half-filled water bottles or half-full water glasses down the sink.

Instead, I poured the half-filled glasses of water on the indoor plants on our main level.

Plan Ahead

I always have a thermos or water bottle in my car when running errands or showing properties. By the time I return home I empty those warm bottles into the front porch planters.

My husband (okay, it was me) went off when he emptied the ice maker’s ice into the sink. he just dumped it!

He stared at me with a
a look of ” is this a pending NBC Dateline episode with Keith Morrison?”.

I grabbed the block of ice and added it to the water fountain, the flowers on the back porch, and Elliott’s water dish.

Coffe Filters

My sister and I debate this disposable coffee filter issue, but I use coffee filters to reduce the water used to clean the coffee pot.

The process to reduce water by repurposing water takes practice.

Pasta Water

Reusing pasta water is great if you want to either use the hot water to soak other dishes or wait for it to cool and add to flower beds or grass that takes a beating in the summer heat.

Dishwasher Settings:

I recently switched from the whole cleaning cycle to the quick setting cycle on the dishwasher. Try it!

Except for holidays or an overloaded dishwasher (where the dishes look like a jungle gym set inside the dishwasher, the quick cycle is effective!

Rain Water

This is one of my favorite ways to reuse rainwater without installing a rain barrel (yet).

Remember this rain shower tip?

My neighbors must think I am the crazy rainwater lady rushing to roll my (empty) trash cans to the driveway to collect the rainwater.

Tip: When rain is in the forecast, I put the trash in either a black trash bag or alternate trashbins. All I need to do is roll the empty trash can onto the driveway.

It takes a little planning, but it is an easy way to soak the gunk at the bottom of the trash cans without using a garden hose and gallons of water.

Even Elliott did his part to save water when he took a shower on our deck.

Water Bottles Our kids have all transitioned to reusable water bottles. Tget okab agead for fflights and fill up at the airport.

Wanting to be the cool mom, I jumped on this trend! When I am in a hurry and/or forget a water bottle) I found this bottled water brand and love it.

Water tastes better in a chilled aluminum can.

I purchased these glass water bottles with a slipguard years ago and love them! I keep them in the garage fridge and refill regularly!

Shorter Showers

This is another daily habit where my husband and I are on opposite sides of the (water waste) hot topic.

Sidenote: If they ever reinvent the Newlywed Game show to the Empty Nester edition, my husband and I would win. We might have some competition with this Preppy Empty Nester and her husband, but we would have a blast!

What am I missing? Share your water reuse ideas, and I will update this tip.