Save water in the bathroom
More than half the water we use at home is used in the bathroom, so there are lots of ways to use a little less water when you’re getting clean.
Choose showers, not baths
The average bath uses about 80 litres of water, but you can use less than half the amount if you have a quick shower. Try keeping baths as an occasional treat rather than a daily dip.
If you normally fill the bath right to the top, you could save tens of litres by making it just a few centimetres less deep.
Look out for a leaky loo
Using the toilet
About a quarter of all the water we use at home is flushed down the toilet. You can use less water without compromising on hygiene.
Check for leaks
Toilets sometimes develop a barely-noticeable leak that trickles water into the bowl. It might not look like much, but it can double the water use of a two-person household. They’re a particular issue for push-button toilets. If you notice a leak, have it fixed as soon as possible.
Use the right flush
Dual flush toilets are designed to use less water to clear wees. If you have one, use the small button for wee and the big button for solid waste. This can save litres of water every day.
Reduce your flush volume
If your toilet is an older model with a large cistern, you can use a displacement device to reduce the water used per flush. A filled plastic bottle with the cap screwed on does the job.
Consider skipping a flush
It’s not for everyone, but you can wait until there are a few wees in the toilet before flushing to save a surprising amount of water – ‘if it’s yellow, let it mellow’.
Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth
At the basin
Adopting a few new habits can make a major difference at the sink:
Turn off the tap
Don’t let the tap run while you brush your teeth – this can use tens of litres of water per person. Kids often leave the tap running, so make sure you help them develop the habit of turning it off.
Fix drippy taps
A dripping tap might not looks like much, but it can waste a lot of water over time. Getting leaks fixed quickly helps to reduce waste and avoid any damage to your home.
Try a tap aerator
You can fit a tap aerator to your taps for a quick and easy way to reduce water use. The aerators mix tiny bubbles with the water, so you get the same great wash but use less water.
Make it fun for your little ones
Download a fun poster to encourage your kids to wash hands properly without wasting water – or get them to design their own!
Check for leaks
Watch out for leaky pipes under your sink – they waste a lot of water over time and can cause issues with damp.
Keep it to four minutes
A typical shower uses about 100 litres of water – if you keep it to around four minutes and have a water-efficient showerhead, it could use as little as 30 litres.
If it helps, stick your favourite pop song on and see if you can be done by the time it finishes!
Fit a water-saving shower head
A four-minute power or mixer shower uses around 60 litres of water – almost as much as filling a bath. Using an electric shower cuts down on water use.
To save even more water, use a water-saving shower head – either an aerator (which mixes in tiny air bubbles) or a regulator (which limits the flow of water without a noticeable impact).
Turn the temperature down
Lukewarm water is better for your skin, as hot water can strip oils away. Turning it down a notch can help save on your energy bills, too.
Once a day is plenty
Washing too often can also dry out the skin – you don’t need to wash more than once a day. If you need to freshen up, a quick flannel wash will do the trick.
Focus on the hotspots
You don’t need to soap all over – focus on the bits that get sweaty. Body parts like arms and legs just need a quick rinse, unless you’ve been out in the mud!
You can also turn the shower off while you soap up or shave, then turn back on to rinse.