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Water saving tips - inside the home

Healthy teeth healthy rivers

Remember to turn off the tap while brushing your teeth - a running tap wastes over 6 litres per minute.

Stop those drips

Mending your dripping tap washer could stop you wasting up to 5,500 litres of water and, if you're on a water meter, it could save you over £18 a year.

Fill up your dishwasher

Hand-washing dishes typically uses more water than a modern dishwasher, especially if you rinse your handwashed dishes under a running tap. If you're in the market for a new dishwasher, have a look at Waterwise's rankings to help you buy a water efficient model, and make sure you always fully load the dishwasher to get those water savings.

Cut your flush volume

If you're in the market for a new loo, consider buying a water efficient dual flush toilet. Alternatively, put a hippo, save-a-flush or other displacement device, which your water company can provide for free, into the cistern.

Bathers beware

A bath can use over 100 litres of water, while a shower only uses a third of that amount. But be aware that many power-showers will use more water than a bath if you shower for more than five minutes. By using a shower timer you can increase your awareness of the amount of time you spend in the shower. If you're the die-hard tub-type, you can minimise your water use by reusing your bathwater to water your houseplants or garden.

Avoid half-load clothes washes

A full load uses less water than two half loads so you'll be able to save money on energy and water. If you are looking to buy a new machine Waterwise have helped you make your choice by ranking all washing machines available on the UK market by water efficiency.

Rubbish for rubbish bins

Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes by binning cotton balls, make-up tissues, and those pesky spiders.

Be prepared for a burst pipe

Check out where your main stop valve is and make sure that you can turn it on and off. If ever a pipe bursts, you'll know how to cut off the flow.

Frigid water

Fill a jug with tap water and leave it to cool in your fridge so you don't have to run the tap for ages just to get a cold drink.

Washing fresh foods

By washing your fruit and veg in a bowl rather than under a running tap, you could cut down on water waste effortlessly and then use the leftover water to feed your houseplants.

Information provided by Waterwise

Find out about water saving tips outside the home

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