Save water in the kitchen
From washing up to doing the laundry, the kitchen is a great place to save water.
Use a Washing-Up Bowl
Did you know?
It takes about 8 litres to fill a washing-up bowl, but 9 litres every minute if you wash up under a running tap. That adds up fast!
Washing-Up Tips
- Wash glasses and cleaner items first – this keeps the water fresher for longer
- Scrape, don’t rinse – scrape food waste into the bin instead of rinsing plates. It saves water and helps prevent blocked drains
- Use one mug or glass all day – no need for a fresh one every time
- Recyclables just need a quick rinse or wipe – they don’t have to be spotless.
Stay Water-Wise at the Sink
- Fix drippy taps as soon as you spot them – even a slow drip can waste litres over time
- Know where your stop tap is – usually under the kitchen sink. If a pipe bursts, you’ll be able to turn the water off quickly.
Run Full Loads
- Wait for a full load before running your washing machine or dishwasher – the half-load button still uses over half the water and energy
- Wash clothes less often – jumpers and jeans can be worn several times or aired outside to freshen up
- Use eco mode – a full dishwasher on eco mode may use as little as 15 litres, less than handwashing
- Choose water-efficient appliances when buying new machines.
Wash Fruit and Veg in a Bowl
- Don’t rinse under a running tap – use a bowl of water instead
- You’ll save water and can reuse it to fill your watering can.
Making Drinks
Small changes can make a big difference:
- Only boil what you need – saves water and energy
- Keep a jug of water in the fridge – no need to run the tap waiting for it to go cold
- Don’t waste leftover drinking water – use it to water your houseplants.
Water-saving cooking ideas
Using less water in the kitchen can help save on your water and energy bills. It also saves on time and effort.
Steam veg
Steamed vegetables are more nutritious – and they use less water. Steam in a tub in the microwave, or stack a steamer over another pan. No more soggy carrots and floppy broccoli.
Make one-pot meals
Who wants to wash up a pile of pans? There are loads of ideas for one-pot meals out there – from curries and stews to pasta and bakes. You’ll use less water, less energy and have less washing up to do afterwards.
Use a saucepan lid
Adding a lid prevents water from evaporating off, so you won’t get such a steamy kitchen. It’s also a good idea to only use enough water to just cover foods like pasta and vegetables – you don’t always need a full pan.
Re-use cooking water
Water from cooking can be used in sauces and gravy, or even cooled and used in the watering can. Cooking water can provide nutrients for plants, helping them grow. Just make sure it’s not too salty and don’t use starchy water from pasta, rice or potatoes too frequently in the same spot, as this could encourage mould growth.
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