Lowering your home’s water footprint is good for the environment and your bank account, but many homeowners don’t know where to begin this process. If you are ready to make your home as efficient as possible, then here are a few tips that you can use to reduce your water consumption.

Find Alternatives

Upgrading just a few of the fixtures and appliances throughout your home could reduce your water footprint by a substantial amount. Depending on the size of your family, simply replacing your old toilets with low-flow toilets means less water is used with every flush, and as a result, you’ll see the difference on your utility bill. You should also consider replacing your dishwasher and washing machine with high-efficiency devices that have been tested and approved by the EPA’s WaterSense program. The WaterSense program will only approve a device or product if it adheres to very strict guidelines.

Check Your Yard

As a homeowner, it is important for you to realize that replacing your yard with an artificial alternative can save you money and water. Even a small yard can take a lot of water, and it might be worth it to switch over to drought-resistant landscaping. You should also check all of your irrigation pipes, spigots, and sprinkler heads for any signs of damage once every few months. Some of the most common signs of an irrigation leak include discolored patches of grass, unpleasant smells in your yard, and damp concrete. Luckily, those leaks are usually very easy to repair, and you probably won't need anything more than a pipe coupler and some pipe cement.

Keep an Eye out for Leaks Inside Your Home

A leaky faucet might not seem like a big deal, but a single slow leak could waste over 160 gallons of water per month. The easiest way to check for leaks is to shine a flashlight on all of the exposed pipes and fixtures throughout your home. You should also keep an eye out for other signs of water damage such as sagging floorboards, discolored walls, and patches of mold. Due to high levels of moisture, it's not uncommon to find mold growth in your bathroom vanity. In this case, it's important to address the plumbing issue and replace the mold-damaged bathroom features. If you believe that you might have a plumbing leak in your home but can’t find any damage, then you might want to invest in a remote leak detector as well.

In addition to these few tips, you must also make sure that you change some of your daily habits. Turning the faucet off while you brush your teeth, limiting your showers to just a few minutes, and other minor changes will drastically reduce your home’s water footprint.

Want another practical way to help the environment and reduce your footprint? Try using our environmentally-conscious and cleaning products and soaps!

12 ways to live a more sustainable life

1. Think before you shop and become and environmentally conscious consumer

2. Ditch the plastic water bottles

3. Speaking of water.... be water wise! Here are 100 Ways to Conserve Wise 

4. Eat less meat (Resources: Take Extinction Off Your Plate and Reducing Your Footprint 

5. Reduce your household energy use by using the right lightbulb

6. Quit using ridiculous disposable products  

7. Support fashion brands that are ethical and environmentally conscious: Loomstate, Patagonia, and Reformation are just a few you may want to check out

8. Use washable stainless steel straws instead of disposable plastic straws

9. Borrow books from the library instead of purchasing them directly or buy them used from a local used bookstore (now you're buying used AND local!)

10. Donate unused clothing and household items to The Salvation Army

11. Buy second-hand

12. Support local and indie businesses

How many of these do you already do? Which do you feel has the greatest impact?