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[MSE Lawrence]

Poll Started 16 June 2008.

Do you leave the tap on when you brush your teeth?

How far’s the ‘conserve water’ message reached? When brushing your teeth, do you only use enough water to wet the brush, or keep the tap streaming throughout? Are those with water meters more likely to turn it off? (see the Water Bills cost cutting guide to find out if you can save with a meter).

Which of these is closest to your situation?

A. On water meter: Always leave tap running - 5% (638 votes)
B. On water meter: Usually leave tap running - 3% (400 votes)
C. On water meter: Sometimes leave tap running - 4% (428 votes)
D. On water meter: Usually turn tap off while brushing - 8% (919 votes)
E. On water meter: Always turn tap off while brushing - 20% (2417 votes)
F. Not on meter: Always leave tap running - 12% (1400 votes)
G. Not on meter: Usually leave tap running - 7% (809 votes)
H. Not on meter: Sometimes leave tap running - 6% (773 votes)
I. Not on meter: Usually turn tap off while brushing - 11% (1291 votes)
J. Not on meter: Always turn tap off while brushing - 23% (2804 votes)
K. Don’t brush my teeth. - 1% (133 votes)

This vote has now ended, but you can still click 'post reply' to discuss below. Thanks

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[geri1965]

I don't use water to brush my teeth. I only use the tap for rinsing the toothbrush afterwards.

[hm71]

J. Not on meter: Always turn tap off while brushing
I have a little cup provided for me by essex water in their environmental gift pack they gave out last year as well as a shower timer, hose attachment and various other products.

[ADC]

now ask who uses hot water and who uses cold. I never realised anyone could possibly use hot until a recent discussion. I'm still amazed

[nzseries1]

I never keep the tap running, but that's because our sink is full of sludge

[torbrex]

Do not use water other than to rinse toothbrush after use.

[frugallass]

I turn the tap on just as I get to the 'spit' stage and use a tiny bit to rinse (I hear that you shouldn't use any water at all but I can't stand that 'grittyness') and a tiny bit to rinse the toothbrush !

[nzseries1]

Originally Posted by torbrex

Do not use water other than to rinse toothbrush after use.

Is that a statement of what you do, or is it a command?

[Careful with that Axe]

I do try to be as eco-friendly as possible, but this has given me a bit of a kick up the arris as I am on a meter and do normally leave the tap running. Not just about money-saving, but also saving valuable resources.
Thanks for making me think about it.

[oldagetraveller]

I take them out and soak in a glass of Steradent overnight!
No, not really.
Using metered water encourages savings so I just fill a tumbler with water and use that for the whole process.
The contents of two large rainwater butts outside are used for toilet flush water and car rinsing plus any other things where rainwater will suffice.
As a result monthly water/sewerage bill is £8.

[spandit]

Originally Posted by ADC

now ask who uses hot water and who uses cold. I never realised anyone could possibly use hot until a recent discussion. I'm still amazed

I hot water, but only to rinse/sterilise the toothbrush afterwards. I voted for "Usually leave tap running" as I have an old(ish) combi boiler and it takes roughly the time for me to clean my teeth before it gets hot! If I had instant hot water it would be off until I needed it.

[Marker]

H. Not on meter: Sometimes leave tap running

It depends, when I am conciosuly thinking of it, which is often I turn the tap off. My OH never does, he always leaves it on!

[JimmyTheWig]

I had to vote F as I always leave it running. I can never remember to turn it off.
But for some reason I always turn it off when brushing the kids teeth. Don't know if this is my bit to encourage them to do their bit (they also "help" with recycling, etc) or if it's just because I don't want them to soak the bathroom on a whim...

We don't have a meter.

[teddyco]

I turn my tap on and then let it run during the night because the soothing sound of running water helps me get to sleep.

[JimmyTheWig]

Originally Posted by MSE Lawrence

Are those with water meters more likely to turn it off?

So far, yes.

Looking at percentages of the people with / without water meters, the results for sometimes leaving the tap running and usually turning it off (about 10% and 20% respectively) are pretty constant regardless of a water meter.
But always leaving the tap running and usually leaving the tap running are both about 5% higher for those without a meter, while always turning the tap off is about 10% lower for those.

Now, is that because people with a meter are more concious of the water they use and want to save money, or because those who are environmentally concious about saving water have opted for a meter?
[The answers need to be split again by "on water meter by choice" / "on water meter against will".]

[JimmyTheWig]

Originally Posted by teddyco

I turn my tap on and then let it run during the night because the soothing sound of running water helps me get to sleep.

I'd be up half the night needing the loo if I did that.

[frugallass]

Originally Posted by teddyco

I turn my tap on and then let it run during the night because the soothing sound of running water helps me get to sleep.

Isn't that a bit inconsiderate?

[rinoa778]

D. On water meter: Usually turn tap off while brushing

Sometimes brushing gets a bit dry so I like to turn the tap on to give my brush a half rinse. I guess I could change this habit by pouring from my rinse cup.

I'm a bit grossed out by the 22 people so far that don't brush their teeth

[Idiophreak]

Always turn the tap off while brushing - Blue Peter told me to when I was a kid

[buxtonrabbitgreen]

I t doesn't seem to make much difference whether or not one has a water meter. The largest percentage of people so far seem to always turn the tap off.