The Great Use Less Water Hunt

RosemaryP

Try washing up the Israeli way - as shown me by a friend -and it works.
Recipe: 2 mugs hot water, I small squirt washing-up liquid and I green scouring pad or, better still, one of those small cube sponges with green scourer on one side.
Washing-up bowl.

Method: Dip sponge in mug of water, squirt couple of drops of washing-up liquid on, rub over crockery etc to be cleaned, starting with glasses first and progressing to pots and pans via cutlery and plates.

Lay sponge aside. Using 2nd mug of hot water rinse soapy but clean crockery etc, starting with glasses and so on.

Put crockery on drainer. In remaining water in bowl wash the sponge. Pour any water away; there'll be very little left.

The tip here is to use the minimum of washing-up liquid and, if there is no grease, tide-marks or coffee stains, you may get away with using none.

For a really large wash you may need 3 or even 4 mugs of hot water but most of the time 2 will do. Get the hot water from the kettle to avoid running the taps unnecessarily.

Alan_Goldberg

I quite agree with Steve. We installed Tapmagic (https://www.tapmagic.co.uk ) and they certainly save an appreciable amount of water. The M24 version and Spray magic (which converts a round tap to a spray) are very easy to fit. The company's service is also v fast.

Steve_Boorman wrote:

Hello...I have a small hotel and we are constantly looking at ways to save money....I have just installed dual flush converters to our loos...They cost £13.00 in B & Q...work really well and are very simple to fit.This will save at least 30% water(min). I have also found a very useful gadget which replaces the nozzle on the basin taps and produces a fine spray of water ...saving up to 70%.http://www.tapmagic.co.uk/index.html again this is cheap and easy to fit. We looked at rainwater harvesting but this option proved very expensive, however,I agree with a previous post that all NEW builds should be legally forced to incorporate such systems. Just remember if we all do a little it will help !!!!

tik33

Can I ask a question to those with a big rainwater storage tank?

I'm in the process of building a new house and I'd like to put in a massive storage tank.

a) does it need to be accessible?
b) does it need to be insulated?
c) how do you deal with leaves and stuff blocking up pipes - do you need a special filter?

Also, can you shower with rainwater?

gromituk

Do a web search for rainwater harvesting - there is a lot about it, including just the sort of thing you are thinking of. You'll get a lot more information than people posting here can offer.

happykiran

I use half a mug of water while shaving to get rid of the hair by dipping the razor into the mug and churning it.

JuB_2

For the agile, how about standing in a half-full washing-up bowl in the bath, whilst sloshing down with a flannel!

SnavenitraM

A neet little product I found is InterFlush. Basically you only use water while you are holding down the handle, not a pre defined amount as with dual flush systems.
DIY fit for £18
https://www.interflush.co.uk

Snowpixie_2

culpepper wrote:

I've got some ecoballs which work without detergent to clean your laundry,.

You could also try using soapods which are like a nut that produces natural soap. Here are the websites to look at with further info:

http://www.shopeco.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYCAT&catid=97

http://www.soapods.com/

I have used them and they are fine (but they don't remove heavy duty stains like grass).

DGGS_2

Steve_Boorman wrote:

Hello...I have a small hotel and we are constantly looking at ways to save money....I have just installed dual flush converters to our loos...They cost £13.00 in B & Q...work really well and are very simple to fit.This will save at least 30% water(min). I have also found a very useful gadget which replaces the nozzle on the basin taps and produces a fine spray of water ...saving up to 70%.http://www.tapmagic.co.uk/index.html again this is cheap and easy to fit. We looked at rainwater harvesting but this option proved very expensive, however,I agree with a previous post that all NEW builds should be legally forced to incorporate such systems. Just remember if we all do a little it will help !!!!

What's a dual flush converter? I've looked on the B&Q site but can't find it!

rubix_76

DGGS wrote:

What's a dual flush converter? I've looked on the B&Q site but can't find it!

I assume it is one of those with two buttons, small flush for number 1, big flush for number 2 - If ya knah wot i meen. lots of new house builds have cisterns with these on.

I am suprised that they are so cheap, I would have thought you need a whole new cistern ???