Simple Ways to Save Water in the Kitchen

South Africans have become used to the appeals from the government to save water where they can.

Many companies and corporations have already put certain measures in place to ensure that they save as much water as possible.

Many households have also turned to using greywater in their gardens and taking showers for shorter amounts of time.

The kitchen is one room in the house where a lot of water is used - and where a lot of water can be saved! Here are a number of easy ways to save water in the kitchen:

#1 - Wait until you have a full load of dishes before washing

More and more households are turning to dishwashers because they save more water.

But it can also lead to unnecessary waste if you turn it on for a single plate or glass.

Think about how much electricity and water you use every time you switch it on. Only switch on the dishwasher when you have a full load. This way you get the most out of the electricity and water usage. You will also be saving on detergent in the long run. 

#2 - Use appropriate pot sizes to save water

There is a reason why pots and pans come in different sizes. It is counter-productive to use the biggest pot or pan every time you cook something.

If you are cooking a small meal, use an appropriate-sized pot. Larger pots require more cooking and this leads to water waste and using too much electricity.

By making a small change such as using a smaller pot for meals you will also see the difference in your utility bills at the end of the month. This way you are not only helping the environment but also yourself. 

#3 - Soak pots and pans to save water

Soaking pots and pans used to be an old excuse to get out of doing the dishes but it becomes necessary when you want to save water.

Avoid scraping dirty pots and pans under running water after using them. You waste a lot of water by leaving a tap open and stubborn pots and pans can take a long time to clean.

Rather fill the sink with warm water and let it soak for a while. The water softens the leftover grease and it becomes easier to wash. 

#4 - Reuse cooking water

If you ever have water in the pot leftover from cooking, you can reuse it in other places in your house.

Instead of dumping it down the drain, you can use it to water your garden. This will prevent you from turning on the sprinklers or hosepipe and using even more water.

If you have a herb or vegetable garden, you can use the cooking water to hydrate these plants, too.

Just make sure that the water had time to cool down. Hot water can damage certain plants or destroy them completely. 

#5 - Wipe up messes as they appear

The kitchen is the number one place where messes occur. Kitchen floors are generally dirtier than other floors in the house and it requires more cleaning.

Instead of grabbing the mop every time you spill something, wipe it up with a cloth. For stubborn messes, use cleaning supplies. It is less hassle than taking out the mop and bucket.

Save the mopping for when you do your weekly spring cleaning. It isn't necessary to fill a bucket every time there is a new spill in the kitchen.

It is very easy to save water in the kitchen. You only have to make small changes and mindful decisions.