Easy Water Conservation in Your Kitchen

Easy Gold Coast Tire and Auto Water Conservation By Joshua Vadney.

We’ve all heard about conserving water on the evening news. Water shortages and drought conditions in several counties across the country and local municipalities invoking rate hikes and water restrictions that can affect you and your family. Whether or not you live in an affected area, there are several easy steps families can take to reduce their water consumption just in the kitchen alone.

Here are 8 easy tips to get you started.

1. Only run the dishwasher when its completely FULL. Half loads waste water and your machine runs more efficiently when fully loaded.

2. When handwashing dishes only fill the sink half full of water. You don’t need to completely fill the sink to scrub the dishes or pans. Don’t run the water as you wash the dishes. And don’t rinse the dishes until you are done. Then rinse them all at once.

3. When cooking with water ( boiling eggs, pasta, or vegetables ) don’t throw it out when you are done. Let it cool and use it to water your plants. The nutrients in the water are better for your plants and then you don’t have to use fresh water from your faucet.

4. Do not run the faucet to get a few cups of hot water. It takes less energy to microwave a few cups of water than to waste gallons of water waiting for it to get hot.

5. Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge so you always a cold glass of water without running the faucet.

6. Fix leaky faucets. If you have a faucet that drips you are wasting gallons of water every day. Usually, its something as simple as replacing a simple o ring in the faucet handle or tightening the screw that holds it together that can stop the leak. There are many online fix it websites that will show you step by step how to fix simple leaks.

7. If you live in an older home make sure your plumbing is kept up to date whenever possible as most leaky pipes are caused by poor plumbing maintenance or improper connections.

8. If you are planning to update your kitchen appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, etc) be sure to check their energy rating and buy the most efficient one possible. Most manufacturers have the ratings listed right on the door of the appliance so it is easy to comparison shop. It may cost you extra to buy a higher, more efficient model but you will save money over the long run.

Wash Day Harms the Environment
Gold Coast Tire and Auto Wash Day Author: Janelle Elizabeth

We are all becoming more and more aware of the damage we are causing the environment by everyday activities like doing the laundry. The list of potentially harmful chemicals that are contained in laundry detergents is alarming to say the least.

The world of complex ingredients lists and vague labels leave consumers unable to identify potential harmful products, and laundry detergents are no exception.

Specifically, there are certain toxins present in laundry detergents that take particular aim at the environment. Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS) are more commonly listed as ‘anionic surfactants’ on detergent labels. They are one of the more common surfactants found in laundry detergents. They are a synthetic product.

As they are manufactured, cancer causing or carcinogenic toxins, as well as reproductive toxins are released into the environment. Benzene is one such toxin, and if this were not detrimental enough, these also biodegrade very slowly.

Another harmful chemical that is frequently found in laundry detergents are phosphates. Needed to remove minerals found in hard-water, and as method to prevent dirt settling back onto clothes while they are in the machine. Basically they are needed to make the laundry detergent more effective.

However, their negative impact on the environment is monumental. After their release into the environment, they can actually activate growth in marine plants. This can result in unbalanced ecosystems, forcing a lot of environmental changes that are not positive.

A lot of states have banned or limited the use of phosphates because of the problems they have been proven to cause. Some detergents even advertise their low or nonexistent phosphate level.

To put it succinctly, our environment needs us to start using safer alternatives. Laundry detergents that contain these harmful products need to be altered or perhaps a new method of washing clothes can be implemented.

Since much of these products do not openly delineate the kind of harmful ingredients it uses, it may be difficult for the consumer to know just how detrimental they are to them and the environment.

Avoiding such products that contain anionic surfactants or linear alkyl sodium sulfonates, and phosphates is a move in the right direction.

Quality alternatives are now here for those of us who are willing to step away from the old-fashioned way of washing clothes, and embrace newer, environmentally friendly methods. The cause for concern with laundry detergents and other chemically driven products like it is real, but becoming informed of the hazards can aid in making a change for the better.