6 Easy First Steps to Conserve Water

California has a water issue. We have heard it, we have seen it, and when you live here with open eyes and ears you also live it. I hear the word DROUGHT every single day.

Years ago I shared my thoughts on how to live a greener life. I have to say I pretty much still live by everything I said back then. Now, with this constant water problem we are faced with each day I thought it was time to share a few easy steps to conserve water. It's the little things we do in life. It's a start. It is so easy, and will not interfere with any of our schedules. Promise.

1. While brushing teeth, turn off the water. Water doesn't need to run. You are not brushing your teeth standing under that water, or are you?
2. If you wash dishes by hand don't let the water run either. Plus if you have two sinks, have one sink fill with wash water, and the other with rinse water. I only wet my sponge, put soap on it and start soaping up my dishes. The ones with the most {heavy} stains get soaked with soap. I only have one sink, so I only use it for rinsing purposes. 
3. If you wash your dishes in a dishwasher, don't pre-wash. Most of us have newer dishwashers anyways. No need to pre-wash your dishes. Also, no extra rinsing. It's a waste of water and frankly, also time.
4. Turn off water while you shampoo/condition your hair, shave, and lather your body. No need to keep it running.  I always have to turn around to shave my legs so the water doesn't hit my face or in that case legs. There's really no need for water to fall onto no one. If your shower is like mine and gets super cold quick, find another solution. I got used to it to have a bit of a colder splash once I turn it back up. Also, I shampoo massage my hair faster than I used to. My hair still gets clean.
5. Collect water in a bin/basket when you rinse fruits/veggies. Use that water for your house plants and flowers. Same goes when you warm up your shower. Extra water can go in a clean bucket, and then can be used for plants and flowers.
6. Run your washer only when full. Is it really necessary to run it with four shirts in it? I don't think so. Just wait.
7. Set a timer when you take a shower. Five minutes is usually all you need. Plus, remember, you turn off the water anyways. 

I am aware that these are seven steps. Consider the last one to be a bonus step. There are many more steps you can take to save water, or use less water. If you own your own place, fix leaks, runny faucets, anything else. Don't water your lawn every day, don't wash your car all the time but still, try to keep it clean. Don't overfill the pools {less splashing and therefore less loss of water}. There are a ton more, and when you think of it...you will automatically come up with ways to use less and save more!

Here's a website I found quite useful to see where we can improve our water consumption. Plus, just because you don't live in California doesn't mean you shouldn't think about conserving water. There are people out there that need water and we {with or without this drought} say we care and all {and yes we do} but we don't care enough. We take the flowing liquid ever so lightly and for granted.

Do not take water for granted.
Start thinking. Start using less. Start saving our precious water. 

What are you doing to conserve water?!

image via buzzfeed