And yeah, pre-rinsing dishes is overrated now that dishwashers are smarter. I stopped doing it and haven’t noticed any difference in cleanliness.
Interesting point, but I’m not totally convinced skipping pre-rinse works for everyone. My last dishwasher (top-of-the-line, supposedly) still left bits of oatmeal or egg if I didn’t at least scrape things off. Maybe it’s a water pressure thing? Or detergent? I do agree about leaky fixtures though—those tiny drips can be sneaky expensive over time. But what about laundry—anyone tried those machines that weigh your load and adjust water use? Worth it, or just marketing?
HOW DO YOU REALLY SAVE WATER AT HOME? QUICK POLL
I’ve actually built a couple houses and honestly, dishwashers are hit or miss. Some chew through anything, others just bake the crud on. Pre-rinse is still my go-to for stuff like dried-on eggs. As for those “smart” laundry machines, I put one in my last build—seemed to help, but it’s not magic. Still gotta watch your loads and not overdo the soap, or you’re just wasting water anyway.
Totally get what you mean about dishwashers—mine’s supposed to be “eco,” but if I don’t scrape plates first, it just doesn’t cut it. I’ve started collecting the cold water from the shower while it heats up and using that for plants or cleaning. Not a huge thing, but it adds up. Also, fixing leaky faucets right away made a bigger difference than I expected... those drips are sneaky.
HOW DO YOU REALLY SAVE WATER AT HOME? QUICK POLL
Scraping plates before loading the dishwasher is a must—those “eco” cycles just aren’t magic, no matter what the marketing says. Collecting the cold water from the shower is a great move. I do something similar, but I rigged up a small bucket under the kitchen faucet for when I’m waiting for hot water. It’s surprising how much you get in just a week.
On the leaky faucet front, you’re spot on. Even a slow drip can waste over 2,000 gallons a year, which is wild. I’d add: check your toilet for silent leaks too. A couple drops of food coloring in the tank—if it shows up in the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Super easy fix with a new flapper.
One thing I’ve noticed: low-flow showerheads are hit or miss. Some are just sad, but there are decent ones out there if you’re picky about pressure. It’s worth swapping out old ones if you haven’t already.
Honestly, the biggest water saver for me was just getting strict about laundry. I only run full loads—none of that “just a few shirts” business—and switched to a high-efficiency washer. It made a noticeable dent in my bill. Not a fan of low-flow showerheads either unless you find a good one, like you said. Some of them feel like you’re standing under a leaky faucet… not worth it if you actually want to rinse off. Also, fixing leaks right away is non-negotiable. I don’t mess around with wasted money.
