07 May 2026
How to save water at home cheat sheet:
- Take 4-minute showers
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
- Fix dripping taps quickly
- Only run full dishwasher and washing machine loads
- Skip rinsing plates before the dishwasher
- Only boil the water you need
- Use eco settings on appliances
- Collect rainwater and vegetable water for the garden
- Check toilets for silent leaks
Want to save water at home? It’s easier than you think.
A few new habits can reduce water waste, lower bills and cut your environmental footprint.
Treating water and heating it takes a LOT of energy. Which is expensive. And as we each use around 140 litres of water per day (according to Water UK) it can really add up. Especially if you’re on a water meter.
So check out these 10 easy ways to save water and save on household bills.
How to save water in the bathroom.
The bathroom is where most household water is used (think showers, baths and toilets).
1. Shorten your showers.
A typical shower can use 10 to 15 litres of water every minute depending on your shower head. Cutting your shower to 4 minutes can save thousands of litres per year.
2. Swap baths for showers.
A full bath can use around 80 litres of water. A short shower usually uses less. If you prefer baths, why not try filling it a little lower than usual?
3. Turn off taps while brushing.
Letting the tap run while brushing your teeth can waste around 6 litres per minute. Turning it off while you are brushing, and just using it to rinse at the end, is one of the quickest ways to save water at home.
4. Fix drips quickly.
A dripping tap can waste thousands of litres per year. If you notice a drip, don’t ignore it because over time it adds up more than you think.
5. Check your loo for leaks.
Silent toilet leaks are actually surprisingly common. If your toilet keeps trickling water down into the bowl after flushing, it may be wasting water without you realising.
How to save water in the kitchen.
Kitchens are surprisingly water-hungry, especially if you’re handwashing dishes or running half-full dishwashers.
6. Don’t rinse.
Modern dishwashers are designed to handle food residue. Pre-rinsing plates under the tap wastes water. Scrape, load and let the machine do its job.
7. Only run full loads.
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it. Running half loads doubles the water used per item cleaned.
Washing up by hand? Find out how to wash up wisely here. smol Washing Up Liquid will help too… it works brilliantly in cold water!
8. Only boil what you need.
Boiling too much water in the kettle wastes water and energy. Measure what you need and it will also save you time!
9. Reuse cooking water.
Water used for boiling vegetables can be cooled and reused for watering your plants. It’s a simple circular habit.
How to save water in the laundry room.
Laundry accounts for a large percentage of household water use.
10. Wash full loads.
Running your washing machine with a full drum (without overloading it) ensures you get the most clean clothes per litre of water used.
N.B. And here’s a bonus tip. Use eco cycles. They use less water and energy, even if the cycle runs longer.
Of course if you’re using concentrated cleaning products like the ones you get from smol… then you’re saving water already.
Many liquid cleaning products are mostly water. Choosing products like a concentrated Fabric Conditioner or pre-dosed Laundry Capsules means less water is shipped about pointlessly during manufacturing and delivery.
How much could you save on your water bill?
If you’re on a water meter, reducing usage directly lowers your bill.
According to Ofwat, the average annual water and sewerage bill in England and Wales is around £450 per year. So even a 10% reduction in usage could save you £45.
If you’re not on a meter, installing one can sometimes reduce bills if your household uses less than the regional average.
Water saving FAQs.
Catherine Green, Cleaning Expert
Catherine has been on a mission to revolutionise the way we tackle chores since the dawn of smol and is an advocate for making more sustainable living accessible to all, with a strong focus in cleaning that’s heavy on dirt, lighter on the planet. Catherine has tested hundreds of hacks to make tackling chores easier, safer, and better for the planet and our homes.
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