We use about 130 liters of water per person per day. A lot, huh?! Most liters are flushed down the shower drain (46 liters), but you also use a lot of crystal clear drinking water during cleaning. And that's why: 10 tips to save water during cleaning.
Why save water?
Did you know that water companies are finding it increasingly difficult to always have enough clean drinking water coming out of the tap? According to Milieu Centraal, this is because more and more people are living in the Netherlands and a lot of water is needed to keep the economy going. Hot and dry periods are also increasing due to climate change, which means that there is more peak demand in the summer. That is why it is important that we all use our water more sparingly. And there are many tips that you can apply when cleaning alone. Are they:
Tip 1. Make a cleaning plan
Saving water starts with a good plan to use your bucket of soapy water as efficiently as possible. Start with the least dirty surface and end with the most dirty surface. This way you avoid having to change your soapy water too often in between.
Tip 2. Work with a spray
With our all-purpose cleaner sprays, you only need a damp cloth to clean. That saves a bucket of water!
Tip 3. Use (sustainable) hygienic wipes
For quick cleaning, our hygienic cleaning wipes are super handy. You don't need any water for this. Just wipe and the dirt is gone. No rinsing is necessary. The wipes are also made of vegetable fibers. Better for the planet!
Tip 4. Use a bucket
To save water during the big clean, it is better to fill a bucket with water and soap instead of constantly rinsing your cloth under running water. And then of course the trick is to use your bucket of soapy water as efficiently as possible (see tip 1).
Tip 5. Wait until the machine is full
You also save a lot of water – around 60 litres per wash – by only washing when the washing machine is full. The same goes for the dishwasher, of course. Oh, and a no-brainer: use the eco-programme on your dishwasher!
Tip 6. Organize your dishwasher efficiently
Everyone has their own way of loading a dishwasher – sometimes to the great frustration of other family members/housemates (ahem…). Think of it as a competition to set up the dishwasher as efficiently as possible, so that you get the most out of every rinse cycle.
Tip 7. Wash dishes by hand in a bowl
A quick wash under running water costs dozens of litres of water per week without you noticing. Save your hand washing and fill a bucket with soapy water . Besides the fact that it rhymes, you also save a lot of water.
Tip 8. Don't rinse your dishes first
It may sound a bit crazy, but it is better not to rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Because this wastes a lot of extra water – on top of the water your dishwasher uses. It is best to just eat your plate completely empty (if necessary, lick it clean), but if there are still some leftovers, scrape them off with a knife and throw them away.
Tip 9. Reuse shower water
Are you planning to wash the windows? Polish your garden furniture? Or wash your car? Collect your shower water in the morning with a few buckets and use it for cleaning!
Tip 10. Let stains soak
Of course, you want to get rid of a stain as quickly as possible. So, open the tap and scrub! But some stains need some time to loosen from the surface. Scrubbing is not so useful and also wastes water. Instead, let some green soap, soda or other (sustainable) soap soak into the stain for a while and then rinse it clean.
