7 Easy Ways to Reuse Water This Summer You Can Do Right Now

When summers get hot and dry, it becomes more and more important to find new creative ways to reuse water in and around your home. Luckily there are easy ways to conserve your water both indoors and in your garden, and we’ve have got you covered with these seven easy tips that you can actually start using today.

Collect Shower Water

Showers are one of the main ways to reuse your water, and it’s easy as pie. While you wait for your shower to heat up, simply place a large bucket underneath your shower head. This will collect all of the unused cold water that you’re used to wasting.

You can also collect shower water why you are showering, as long as you’re using all natural products. Reuse this shower water to water houseplants and more.

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Reuse Pasta Water

If you’re like me and boil a lot of pasta, you are likely wasting a lot of that water once your meal is ready. So, next time you’re making your favorite pasta dish, save all of that water for other purposes.

As always, you can use this water to water your indoor and outdoor plants. You can also use this water to wash your dishes, instead of running your sink excessively. Or, use this water the next time you need to boil anything.

Use Leftover Ice

While ice is usually used for cooling down drinks, you can use leftover ice to cut down on water waste. If you find that you have a lot of leftover ice, you can put the cubes into your pet’s water bowl. Is your lawn looking dry? Scatter your leftover ice wherever your lawn is patchy or looking parched, or where your plants need an extra boost.

Install a Rain Barrel

A rain barrel collects runoff rain water from your home’s gutter system and it’s fairly easy to install. First, choose where you want to put it. Make sure to secure it on the ground so it won’t ever tip over. And finally, make sure your downspout directly connects to your barrel. This will ensure that all of the rain water will drain into your barrel.

Once your rain barrel fills up after a day or evening of rain, you can use this water for your yard, your indoor plants, or even to wash your car.

Reuse Water From Old Bottled Water

It’s way too common, at least for me, to leave leftover water bottles on my nightstand or in my car. Luckily, you can reuse this water instead of absentmindedly dumping your water in your kitchen sink.

You can use this water from the tips mentioned above, or get even more creative. I personally like to use my leftover water bottles for mopping and cleaning my home.

Recycle Pool Water

Pools aren’t just for cooling down anymore. In this summer heat, you might have an inflatable pool for your backyard, one for your dog, or if you’re really lucky, you have a in-ground pool.

No matter what kind of pool you have, you don’t have to drain the water out anymore. Use your old pool water for your lawn and garden, for cleaning, and even for washing produce. Just make sure to give it a good rinse before using.

Install a Gray Water Collection System

With the help from your local plumber, you can easily install a gray water collection system. This clever system takes unused water from your bathrooms, sinks, laundry units and supplies it to your lawn. This wastewater can of course be used for your garden, indoor plants, and food crops.