The holiday season is upon us. It’s a time of gift buying. Many of us have our gift lists on what to buy for our family and friends. You know who you may not have thought of? Your home. Yes, your home always likes the gift of wise water use. Below are some tips for using water efficiently that make great gifts for your home.
Indoor tips
- Washing clothes: The holiday festivities have us wear a lot of clothes. Whenever possible, wash full loads to conserve water.
- Food preparation: When preparing those holiday meals, soak veggies in a bowl and use the extra water for plants.
- Ice cubes: If ice cubes accidently get dropped, put them in a house plant.
- Dishwasher: After holiday meals, use your dishwasher only when it's full to maximize water efficiency. Also, consider using the "eco" setting if your dishwasher has one.
- Teach conservation: Teach children to turn off faucets while brushing their teeth and to take five-minute showers. Make it a fun holiday game.
- Check for leaks: And the best gift of all. Check for leaks around the home and get them fixed.
Outdoor tips
- Use Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants. Not only does mulch retain the soil’s moisture but it also moderates the soil’s temperature and keeps it cool in hot temperatures and warm in cold temperatures.
- Get a rain barrel: Collect rain in a rain barrel to water your indoor or outdoor plants.
- Rain sensor: Give your yard a gift by buying a rain sensor. They are required by Florida law and will keep your yard from being overwatered.
- Hose nozzle: Attach a hose nozzle to your garden hose. This way water will only be used when needed.
- Washing a car: The holidays have us traveling. Wash your car on the grass so the grass gets watered. Alternatively, you can go to a car wash that recycles water.
- Pool cover: Get your pool a pool cover. This will minimize evaporation.
An added bonus is that by using water more efficiently, you can lower your water bill. Now, that’s a great gift for your wallet. Happy holidays from Toho!
