Here at Green Prophet we are concerned about the current water shortage. Today we’re sharing 12 water conservation tips for the kitchen that can impact the Middle East.
1. If you use a dishwasher, always fill it completely and choose the fastest setting.
2. When washing by hand, soak to soften the residue, then scrub with a brush or sponge. Only use running water for a final rinse, never as a cleaning tool.
3. Dilute dish detergent in advance and use a small amount so it will dissolve properly. Excess soap goes down the drain or need more water to be rinsed off.
5. Install a sprayer on your faucet. This distributes a smaller amount of water to a larger area.
6. When washing utensils, don’t fill items like glasses, pots and bowls. Tilt them so that the water reaches the sides and bottom.
7. Defrost foods in the refrigerator to avoid soaking.
8. When washing a jar or glass, put in a small amount of soapy water and shake with the cover on. Then transfer the water to the next utensil. Wipe and rinse.
9. Use a minimum of cooking water to retains nutrients and save on cooking time. Pasta needs much less water than the package instructs, just stir frequently.
10. Save cooking water for soups, grains, and bread dough. Don’t reuse water from washing dishes, but water from cleaning vegetables can be reused in the washing machine, toilet or garden. A microwave or pressure cooker retains more moisture than the stovetop or oven.
11. Make one-pot meals (like mejadera) to save on washing.
12. Place dirty pots in the sink to collect used water, instead of soaking them in clean water. In some countries, like in Australia, they use rainwater tanks to gather rainwater. Suppliers like http://supatank.com.au/ assists homeowners to set up a rain catchment system that connects to the bathroom, kitchen and anywhere where water is most needed during the day.
More water and energy saving ideas:
Ten Tips for Cutting the Cost of Running Your Refrigerator
Nine Tips to Help Your Food Last Longer
Save Water and Energy In Your Washing Machine with Top Tips
Ten Ways to Buy Less When You Breastfeed Your Baby
Photo via lemuelinchrist
Author: Hannah Katsman
Hannah learned environmentalism from her mother, a conservationist before it was in style. Once a burglar tried to enter their home in Cincinnati after noticing the darkened windows (covered with blankets for insulation) and the snow-covered car in the driveway. Mom always set the thermostat for 62 degrees Fahrenheit (17 Celsius) — 3 degrees lower than recommended by President Nixon — because “the thermostat is in the dining room, but the stove’s pilot light keeps the kitchen warmer.” Her mother would still have preferred today’s gas-saving pilotless stoves. Hannah studied English in college and education in graduate school, and arrived in Petach Tikva in 1990 with her husband and oldest child. Her mother died suddenly six weeks after Hannah arrived and six weeks before the first Gulf War, and Hannah stayed anyway. She has taught English but her passion is parental education and support, especially breastfeeding. She recently began a new blog about energy- and time-efficient meal preparation called CookingManager.Com. You can find her thoughts on parenting, breastfeeding, Israeli living and women in Judaism at A Mother in Israel. Hannah can be reached at hannahk (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
Pasta can be cooked in much less water than the package instructs. How true!
Pasta can be cooked in much less water than the package instructs. How true!