How Can I Save Water When I Shower?

In the shower:

1. This one is obvious—take shorter showers and avoid baths. The average bath uses upwards of 50 gallons of water.

2. While you are waiting for the water to heat, place a bucket in the shower and use the leftover water for watering plants, flushing the toilet or cleaning.

3. Switch to a low-flow showerhead. Most showerheads use 4.5 gallons per minute, while low-flow showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute.

4. In Brazil, the government encourages people to pee in the shower to save water. If you’re feeling bold, take a page from their book.

5. Shower Navy-style:

   • Get in the shower and turn the water on. Get wet and then turn the water right off again.

   • With the water off, lather up with soap, shampoo and conditioner.

   • Once you’re all soaped up, turn the water back on, rinse off and voilà: You’ve saved water in the same fashion the Navy does onboard its ships. Navy showers can reduce water usage by 95%.

6. Shower every other day or at least skip washing your hair daily to cut down on shower time.

If none of these options sound appealing to you, there are other ways you can save water around the bathroom. Here are some extra tips for even more water conservation.

1. Shut the water off while brushing your teeth, shaving and washing dishes.

2. Use low-flow faucet aerators to save 2.5 gallons of water per minute.

3. Let pee be—only flush for #2.

4. tune-up your toilet by replacing the tank parts, especially the flapper valve to eliminate leaks.

If you’re interested in learning about more efficient plumbing fixtures, like low-flow showerheads and faucets, consult a plumbing expert. It’s easy to make simple changes to your home and your lifestyle in order to conserve more water.