Kitchens use about 22% of household water. - That’s nearly a quarter of your water bill, just from one room! Saving water in the kitchen is easier than you think. With just a few small changes to your daily routine, you can save hundreds of litres of water every year, without even noticing.
Here are some quick and easy kitchen hacks to help you get started. Each one takes less than five seconds , but together they can make a big difference.
1. Fill the sink instead of running the tap
When washing dishes by hand, fill a bowl or the sink with water instead of letting the tap run. A running tap uses up to 6 litres of water a minute. Filling a bowl can cut that down to around 10 litres per wash.
2. Use eco mode on your dishwasher
Most dishwashers have an eco-mode that uses less water and energy. The wash itself might take a little longer, but pressing the eco-button takes just a second, and it’s much more efficient. Just press the eco button before you start your wash, it’s that easy, and you can even save money on your water and energy bills.
3. Only run the dishwasher when it’s full
Running your dishwasher with only a few plates or cups wastes water. Wait until it’s full, and you’ll get more out of every wash. It also saves energy, which helps lower your bills. Once again, don’t forget to click that eco mode!
4. Rinse fruit and veg in a bowl, not under the tap
Washing your food under a running tap wastes a lot of water. Instead, rinse fruit and vegetables in a bowl, then reuse the water for your houseplants or garden. You just need to wait a few seconds to fill the bowl up – it’s that simple!
5. Use eco mode on your washing machine
Just like dishwashers, most washing machines have an eco setting. It uses less water and energy to clean your clothes (so you’ll even save money on your bills too). It’s perfect for everyday washing and easy to turn on with the quick press of a button.
Small habits, big savings
These simple hacks might only take a few seconds , but over time, they can save hundreds, if not thousands, of litres of water each year. Good for your wallet, and even better for the environment.
Want to know how much water you really use?
Take the My Water Footprint quiz to get tailored water-saving tips based on your home and lifestyle. You’ll also be helping protect local water sources and reduce pressure on our environment.
It only takes a few minutes, and it could help you save water every single day.