Tips for Conserving Water in Your Kitchen

You may not realize it, but all that dirty work you do in the kitchen contributes to the 400 gallons of water wasted, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA also found that the average household's leaks account for more than 10,000 gallons of wasted water, so be sure to double check all your kitchen appliances for any signs of pooling. If so, you're most likely dealing with a cracked pipe or faulty machinery. Contact your local Roto-Rooter professional right away so someone can come check it out for you.

Conserving water is always important, especially in the midst of a drought.

Here are three ways to conserve water in the kitchen:

TOP 3 TIPS FOR CONSERVING WATER IN YOUR KITCHEN

1. STOP RINSING YOUR DISHES

If you're someone who typically washes the dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher, consider skipping this unnecessary step from here on out. Doing so could save up to 10 gallons of water per every cycle.

2. PLACE A FULL PITCHER OF WATER IN THE FRIDGE

By constantly keeping a full pitcher of water in your fridge, you'll save both time and water when getting a drink: time in the sense that you won't have to wait for freezing water to flow out, and water in the sense that you aren't just running a constant stream until it reaches your desired temperature. Start stocking up on those pitchers and keep one (or multiple ones) in your refrigerator at all times!

3. WASH YOUR DISHES IN THE SINK

If you don't have the luxury of a dishwasher, you probably wash your dishes under an open tap. This is a huge waste, considering the fact that this method can use up to 20 gallons of water at a time. Instead, fill the sink up with water (a large bucket or bowl works too) and close your taps. Just refill it when the water starts getting dirty. By simply closing the taps every time you do the dishes, you could save up to 10 gallons of water.

ADDITIONAL KITCHEN WATER CONSERVATION TIPS:

Don't let the water run

When you're washing dishes, you likely let the water run for a while to heat up. Most people prefer to wash their dishes in hot water because it melts grease and loosens up the bits of food stuck to the side of the bowl. But watching the cold water run down the drain is a waste.
Instead of discarding the cold water, consider capturing it to perform other tasks. Set it aside for later when you need water to boil pasta, or put it directly into your water pitcher. Save Water America noted that this will also reduce the time you let the tap run when you're thirsty for a cold glass of water.

If you find yourself waiting for long periods of time for the water to get warm, you may want to invest in a recirculating pump. These handy devices can be easily installed by your local plumber and are located under your kitchen sink, and there are two different types. One will push any cold water back to the water heater, and will only dispense water at the proper temperature. That means that the cold water never even leaves the tap. The second type will always have hot water at the ready.

Double duty

You already know that water has many uses. But have you considered using the same water for multiple uses? Once you're done washing the dishes, you probably don't want to use it to cook dinner, but you can certainly use it as an alternative to highly toxic insecticides by creating an insecticidal soap spray.

Making one-pot meals will cut down on the number of dishes you need to wash after dinner. Plus, you can boil multiple things together to save water, rather than using multiple pots and excess water to prepare your dinner. For instance, if you are making a pasta primavera, begin with the amount of water you need for the noodles. Then add the vegetables and strain them together. Just be sure to capture that water for later use – you can soak dishes in it or use it to water your lawn.

For more information on sealing those cracked pipes or putting an end to your leaky kitchen appliances, contact your local Roto-Rooter professional today.