Home Water Conservation Tips: Simple Daily Changes You Can Make

Straightforward, doable changes you can start using today to use less water at home, no expensive upgrades required.

Check your fittings regularly

Walk around your home once every two weeks. Run each tap fully then turn it tight. Watch after you turn it off. If any drop continues after ten seconds, that needs attention. Do the same for toilet valves, shower heads, and hose connections outside.

You do not need a plumber for most small fixes. Many common tap washers cost very little, and fit all standard models. You can find the simple tools you need in Essential Tools to make these adjustments in ten minutes.

Don't leave small drips unaddressed: over time this adds up to running water that you do not use, and adds to your household bills. It is always better to fix these the same day you notice them, rather than leaving it for later. When you replace any fitting, pick one that feels solid when you turn the handle. Loose handles will always start dripping sooner.

Adjust your kitchen habits

When you wash produce by hand, use a bowl instead of running water directly over the items. You can then use that same water afterwards for house plants or outdoor window boxes.

Don't run the tap while scrubbing pans. Fill the sink part way, turn the tap off, scrub everything first, then rinse once at the end. When using a dishwasher, only run it when it is fully loaded. The same applies for washing machines. You don't need to run half empty cycles just for one or two items.

Plan loads around your weekly routine, it only takes a minute to arrange this. You will also use less cleaning product this way. For hand washing dishes, keep the water temperature steady rather than turning it up and down constantly. Browse Kitchen & Dining for bowls and washing up aids that work well for this.

Bathroom routine small adjustments

Turn the tap off while you brush your teeth, while you apply face wash, while you lather soap on your hands. Many people leave the tap running through these steps without noticing.

For showers, wet your body and hair first, then turn the water off while you apply shampoo and conditioner. Turn it back on only to rinse. You will get just as clean, and your shower will not take any longer overall.

Avoid running the tap to warm it up and walking away. Stand nearby while it warms, you will be surprised how quickly it reaches a comfortable temperature. If you like to have a bath, fill it only to the level you actually need, not right to the edge. You can find gentle bath products in Bath & Body that work well with less water.

Garden and outdoor use

When you water plants, do this early in the morning or late in the evening. At these times less water evaporates before it reaches the roots. Water directly at the base of each plant, not over the leaves.

You do not need to water every single day. Push a finger into the soil first. If it is still damp an inch down, you can skip watering that day. For cleaning patios or paths, use a broom first to remove loose dirt before you use any water.

Don't leave garden hoses running unattended. Always fit a trigger nozzle that stops flow when you let go. You can find suitable hoses, nozzles and plant tools in Garden & Outdoors.

Plan your laundry routine

Sort your laundry into full loads first, before you turn the machine on. It is very easy to run small loads every other day out of habit, when you could just as easily run one full load every three days.

Adjust the cycle length for the type of items you are washing. Not every load needs the full long wash setting. Most everyday clothes will come clean on the shorter standard cycle. When you hand wash delicate items, use one basin for washing, one for rinsing. Do not run a continuous stream of water over them.

Hang dry items whenever you can, this also helps fabrics last longer. You can read more about looking after your clothes in the Fabric care guide.

Make changes one at a time

You do not need to change every habit all in one day. Pick just one tip from this list, and use it for one full week. Once it feels normal and you do it without thinking, add a second one. This is the only way changes will stick long term.

Nobody gets this right every day. There will be days you forget, that is fine. What matters is doing it more often than not. Over time these small actions add up. You will notice the difference on your household bills, and you will build steady habits that work for everyone who lives in your home.

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Questions people ask

Do I need to buy expensive new fixtures to use less water?

No. Almost all the tips in this guide require no new purchases at all. Most changes are just small adjustments to your daily routine. If you do replace fittings later, you can pick ones that work well for your habits.

Will these changes make my daily routine much longer?

No. None of these adjustments add extra time to your day. Most just mean you turn a tap off for thirty seconds while you do something else. You will not notice any difference to how you do things after the first few times.

Can I use these tips if I rent my home?

Yes. All the habits here work for rented homes. You do not need to make permanent alterations. For any small fitting fixes, always check with your landlord first before replacing anything.

What if I live with other people who don't follow these habits?

Start with your own actions first. Once other people see you doing these things easily, they will often join in. You don't need to remind anyone, just do the habits consistently.