After the doozy that 2020 was to all of us across the globe, we are learning to save and conserve necessities more than ever. Toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and meat were all scarce at some point in the last year, making Americans stop and consider different ways they can save in other areas as well.

One area that we can all become better in is saving water. Water is a precious commodity that is necessary for all life on our planet. Below are ways to help your home save water – and, lucky you, it should save you money as well.

1)   Check your faucets for leaks. A small drip from a single faucet can waste 50 or more gallons of water per day.

2)   Check your toilet for constant running or leaks. If your toilet continues to run long after you flush, there is a good chance that your toilet has a leak. A leaking toilet can waste more than 100 gallons of water a day!

3)   Take shorter showers. Yes, it is nice to stand under a hot shower after a stressful day, but doing so will waste a lot of water and money. Try to limit your showers to the time it takes to lather up, wash off, and rinse.

4)   Take a bath instead of a shower. A partially filled bathtub uses much less water than showers. They can also prove more calming.

5)   Turn the water off while you brush your teeth. Bathroom faucets run at about two gallons per minute. If you leave your tap running while brushing your teeth, you waste up to four gallons of water.

6)   Turn off the faucet while shaving. The best way to save water while shaving is to fill the sink bowl with just a couple of inches of water. As you shave, rinse your razor in the water until you are finished.

7)   Pay attention to your dishwasher settings. If you have the option, use the automatic wash setting on your dishwasher. Wait until your dishwasher is full before you run it.

8)   Never use your toilet as a wastebasket. Do not flush anything down your toilet other than toilet paper. Do not flush cigarette butts, tissues, baby wipes, feminine products, or anything else down the toilet. Anything other than toilet paper will clog your pipes and cost money in wasted water and repairs.

Most water conservation measures are easy and inexpensive. While you will probably need to make a conscious effort at first, eventually they will become habits that will save you water and money in the long run.