Let's face it - there's nothing like a long, hot shower in the winter to warm up and recharge, or a cool shower in the summer to relax and refresh.  And if you're the kind of person who likes to lounge in the shower for a couple of minutes longer to wake up in the morning, think about this: According to studies done by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, standard showers average about 7-10 gallons per minute (gpm). 

The shower isn't the only water hog in the bathroom.  Though newer toilets claim to only use 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), if you have an old toilet it can use approximately 5-7gpf.  Also, it can take up to 12 gallons to brush your teeth and 2 to wash your hands.¹

Some tips to conserve water

Not everyone can revamp their old bathroom into an eco-friendly one.  But you don't need thousands of dollars to conserve water.  By simply changing some of your habits, you can significantly decrease the amount of water you use in the bathroom.  For example, shorten your showers.  Take a timer into the bathroom with you to see how long you shower for, and then try to shave off as many minutes as possible.  Aim for a five minute shower, and turn off you water when washing your hair and body.

Another easy way to conserve water in the bathroom is to turn off your water when washing your face, brushing your teeth, or shaving.  Keep a cup in your bathroom for when you rinse out your mouth, so you won't waste any water.

 
An easy trick to conserve water in toilets is by using toilet displacement devices.  These reduce the volume of water used to flush a toilet.  Fill a plastic milk jug with sand or pebbles or gravel, seal it, and set it in your tank.  This displaces the water and thus will decrease the amount of water used for each flush.

Finally, make sure not water is being unnecessarily wasted as a result of a leaky faucet.

Green in the bathroom

Contemporize your bathroom by replacing those old guzzlers with new, water conserving products and environmentally friendly items.

Toilets

According to the EPA, toilets account for approximately 30% of residential indoor water consumption.² In 1994, federal law required that residential toilets used only 1.6gpf.  Toilets made before 1994 use 3.5 to 7gpf.³  If your home has an older toilet, it might be time replace your old toilet with a newer toilet that uses less water.

 
Our world, however, is nothing if not progressive.  There are new products out on the market in this day and age that minimize the amount of water used per flush.  Companies like  Caroma and Wasauna offer great dual flush system toilets that help conserve water.  One button allows for only 0.8gpf, while the other activates the full 1.6gpf.

 
Aside from dual flush system toilets, high-efficiency toilets (HETs) use less water per flush than today's standard toilet.  Instead of the 1.6gpf used in a standard toilet, an HET uses only 1.3gpf.  Just replacing one toilet can save up to 4,000 gallons per year.

 
Besides the water-conserving toilets, there are other ways to make your toilet a little more environmentally friendly. Instead of buying standard toilet paper, purchase Seventh Generation 100% recycled toilet paper from your nearby natural grocery store or at their website.  Seventh Generation also have environmentally friendly toilet cleaners, shower cleaners, and tub and tile cleaners great for the eco-friendly bathroom.

Showers

Switching your showerhead to low-flow can save dramatically on water while still retaining the comforting feeling of a high pressure shower.  An average shower can use approximately 7-10gpm, while certain low-flow showers only use 1.5gpm.  One problem with low-flow showers is that they may not have the great massaging qualities of a high-pressure shower.  However, companies like Kohler's claim that their low-flow showers retain the comfort of a standard shower while using 20% less water.

 
Replace your old polyester shower curtain with a 100% cotton duck shower curtain, which eliminates the need for a liner because of its resistance to water from  TerraLunaSol.  TerraLunaSol also offers hemp and organic cotton curtains and other various environmentally friendly shower products.

Bathroom Sink

I'd like to introduce to you to the LEED certified AQUS System, a revolutionary system that recycles the water from your bathroom sink for toilet flushing. In a two person household, the AQUS system can reduce the use of metered water by 10-20 gallons.  The AQUS system comes with a 5.5 gallon reservoir that fits under the bathroom sink and connects to the toilet's tank with a hose.  It filters and purifies the water before it transfers to the toilet, keeping large particles like hair and toothpaste from entering the toilet while also disinfecting the water.  Another great thing about this product is that it is compatible with a variety of different toilets. 

If the AQUS System is not what you're looking for in a bathroom sink, be sure to keep a look out for the WaterSense label when looking for new faucets.

Products

We use bath products on a daily basis, be they hand soap or shampoo and conditioner.  Aubrey Organics offers all natural products that range from soaps to sunscreens to perfumes, all for a reasonable price.  Of course, you don't need to limit yourself to Aubrey Organics.  When shopping for bath products, look carefully at the back label.  Many products list that they are vegan or don't test on animals. PETA offers lists that show who test on animals, and companies who don't test on animals.  Many of the products on the list of companies that don't test on animals are also all natural, such as ABBA. 

Remember, if you don't want it in the environment, why would you want to put it on your body?

It makes WaterSense

When you're searching for new products for the bathroom, be sure to look for the EPA WaterSense label.  Products that have earned the WaterSense label are at least 20% more water-efficient than the standard product. The WaterSense webpage goes a step further to make finding products that match their criteria easier by providing lists of their approved products. 

Why?

Fresh water is one of our fastest depleting natural resources.  It's time to switch old, out-to-date products and conserve our water.  Our future depends on it.



¹ Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.  Water Usage Chart.  < http://www.wssc.dst.md.us/service/waterusagechart.cfm>

² U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  "WaterSense."  2008. <http://www.epa.gov/watersense>

³ Koncius, Jura. "Putting a Lid on Water Waste."  2007.  <http://www.phccweb.org/Newsroom/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3651&token=33315&userID=7835>