Water is Essential (Jal hi Jeevan Hain)- we all have memorized this proverb since the inception of civilization. But are we remembering this in practice? India waste almost 45 litres of water a day. On average, a family spends more than 180 gallons per week, which is almost 9,400 gallons annually. This metric might look like a challenge, but there are simple solutions to reduce water waste. You don't have to cut back on your water intake when cooking. The biggest culprit is dishwashing, which accounts for about 30% of household water use.
While you can reduce this by washing only, when necessary, it's also worth considering if you have the luxury of doing some tasks yourself. For example, the kitchen is the most productive chamber of every Indian household. If you run kitchen taps in heavy flow, it can waste almost 2-25 litres of water per minute. This is because 33% of your regular water usage involves kitchen activities. Charity begins at home. If we aim for a breathable society for flora and fauna, we need to start using natural resources very carefully. You can save money, protect your community, and save plants by saving water in the kitchen.
Tips to save water in the kitchen:
You already know that one of the best ways to save water is to keep things as simple as possible. However, when it comes to your kitchen, you can do a few things to help save water.
- First, try using low-water-use products wherever possible. Several products on the market can make a big difference in reducing your household's water usage. For example, you can use low-flow faucets and showerheads and consider investing in low-flow dishwashers and washing machines.
- Second, make sure you're taking care of the small things first. For example, don't run the dishwasher unless it's full. Similarly, don't let the sink fill up with dirty dishes until you've finished rinsing them first. By doing these little things from time to time, you can help save a lot of water. Opt for dishwasher tablets or plant-based cleaners like TheBetterHome's dishwashing liquid. It is non-toxic, eco-friendly and contains no harsh chemicals. You can also reuse the dishwashing water to nurture your plants.
- You can also save a lot of water while cooking. One thing you can do is to use water when it is hot. If you are cooking pasta or rice, ensure the water is hot. This will help keep the food from sticking to the pot or pan and ensure that the food cooks faster. You can also prepare meals in advance and freeze them to save time and energy during busy days.
- When cooking, use a water-saving method such as spray bottles instead of a large bowl or ensure your dishes are thoroughly dried before putting them in the dishwasher. After boiling, instead of throwing away the broth, you can use it for cooking veggies or adding season to make a bowl of delicious soup.
- Another thing you can do is to minimize your use of paper towels. Instead of using paper towels, try using a dish towel instead. This will help to keep food away from the dish so that it does not get stuck on the bottom of the pan, and there will be no need to rewash it.
- Try not to leave your faucet running while you are washing dishes or doing other dishes, as this will also use a lot of water. Along with saving water, you can make some minor changes to make society breathable for everyone, like replacing the dish sponge with coconut coir scrub. It is an eco-friendly option; you can also use this later in composting.
- It's also important to pay attention to how much water you use when washing your dishes to avoid wasting any unnecessary water. In addition, when you're washing produce, rinse it thoroughly so that no dirt or pesticides get left behind in your sink or on the counter.
- Don't use water for defrosting. To save water, you can leave the food in the fridge overnight to defrost; even you can keep it at room temperature for a while. Otherwise, you can sprinkle some water and microwave to defrost.
- Don't cook extra, and use appropriate pot sizes for your dishes. Large serving bowls require more water for cleaning.
- Steam vegetables frequently. Instead of washing everytime, you can also steam your vegetables whenever possible. Steaming requires less water and retains more nutrients.
- Instead of scrapping and washing stubborn stains, try to soak the dish in warm water. Then, take half a lemon peel and scrub on the stain; you can also put some baking soda for instant results.
- Clean up the spills on the floor. Keep your kitchen floor germ-free by cleaning the spills immediately. The more you delay, the stain will get stubborn, and the cleaning will require unnecessary water wastage.