Taking a Shower - it saves water

I like taking a shower for several reasons. First, it's an efficient use of water. Second, it feels great. Third, what you wash off stays off of you and goes down the drain. And, I like the idea that you can walk in and get cleaned up, and then walk out and get on with your business.

Sitting down in a bath may be relaxing, and it certainly has its place, but a shower is my preferred manner of getting cleaned up.

Showering is a great way to save water if you do it right. Do it wrong, and you'll waste just as much time and water as you would taking a bath. I know because I've fallen into that trap a time or two and taken what I call "an hour shower." Of course, the occasional luxuriously long and warm shower doesn't last an hour, that's just what I call it.



The idea of taking a shower is a great way to save water, but you can enhance the water conservation aspects of a shower even more simply by: 1) making it quick; 2) turning off the water between soaping up and rinsing off; and, 3) using a low flow shower head.

Here is what I recommend in terms of a sequence for taking a quick shower and using the least amount of water.

1. Use the shower spray to get wet all over (including your hair if you intend to wash your hair) and then turn off the water.
2. Soap up (and wash your hair).
3. Turn the water back on and rinse off.

From a practical side, saving a few gallons of water isn't a big money saver, but it's important when you consider that most people in America bathe each day. That compounds the savings each day. And, just as important, it's consistent with and promotes success through a mindset of frugality.

If we're to be successful at frugal living, we can't expect to be efficient in one area and then throw away our savings in another. We'll do much better if our mindset of frugality is carried through into most every routine activity that we engage in, like taking a shower.

Done with Taking a Shower, take me back to Save Water