7 Unexpected Ways to Reuse Household Water in the Yard When Your Rain Barrels Run Dry
You'll be surprised by how much everyday water you can recycle
When outdoor watering restrictions come in during a heatwave, it can send us gardeners into panic. But, don't fret. There are so many ways to recycle household water in the yard to keep your plants hydrated without using your garden hose.
It's a great way to reduce water waste in the yard, by getting a second use out of cooking water, half-empty water bottles, and even bath water. The truth is, our plants aren't fussy about whether water has already been used. Though, you should make sure it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals that endanger plant health, and likewise should avoid using certain recycled water on edible plants in case of bacteria contamination. Having a water filter jug (like this one from Amazon) to hand can remove certain contaminants and make the recycled water cleaner in many cases.
Not sure where to start? Here, experts share their top seven ways to recycle household water in the yard, so you can have a more sustainable summer.
1. Shower and Bath Water
If you've been wondering whether you can water plants with bath water, the answer is yes – but with a word of warning.
This is one of the most common sources of 'graywater' to recycle in the yard, but it requires the water to be free of excess bath salts and soap which could damage plant roots. Plus, you should avoid using it on edible plants.
Though, if bath water only has a small trace of bath products, it is generally safe to use at the very base of mature, established plants during long dry spells. However, you should avoid splashing any on the foliage and shouldn't use it regularly, making sure to flush away any build-up of salts.
Be aware that soap can make soil pH more alkaline, so you should avoid using this on acid-loving plants, like azaleas.
An alternative to this is using a bucket to collect shower water. Using this bucket with a spout from Amazon means you can take it directly from the bathroom to pour in the garden.
'Instead of letting water run down the drain while you wait for your shower to warm up, collect it in a bucket and use it later to water your plants,' says sustainable living expert and author, Lori Downs.
This is an easier way to collect product-free water from the bathroom to use in the garden.
Lori Downs writes and speaks about the gap between sustainability ambition and real-world behavior. She is the author of Second Nature: How to Build Ecohabits That Stick and a climate and sustainability leader with over 25 years of experience as an environmental engineer.
2. Dishwater
Just like using bath water, you can use dishwater in your garden, but you have to make sure it is free of harmful ingredients and chemicals.
One solution is opting for an organic washing up liquid (like this from Walmart), which contains a lower volume of salts and phosphates.
'You don't want to reuse salted water or water that has had oil in it,' notes Angie Kristoff, community garden leader and blogger.
Traces of food in water can not only affect soil health in terms of pH levels, it may also attract rats to your yard and other unwanted pests.
For this reason, you should use dishwater sparingly and flush it with clean water to avoid salt build-up. Likewise, it's best not to use it on edible plants.
Angie is a blogger, community garden leader, and home gardener in the Denver Metro Area.
3. Cooking Water
It is quite common for gardeners to use the likes of pasta water on plants because it is generally safe to do.
In fact, the traces of starch from pasta water is thought to be beneficial because it feeds soil microbes. This is also true for potatoes and other vegetables you may boil in water.
'Cooking water contains essential plant nutrients and starches your plants will love. Be sure to let the water cool before use,' says Lori.
But, it is key for the cooking water to be plain. It shouldn't contain oils, butter, seasoning, or sauces, which can damage plant roots and attract pests.
'You can also save water used to rinse fruits, vegetables, beans, or rice for your garden instead of pouring it down the drain,' Lori notes.
This collapsible bucket from Amazon is convenient for doing this in the garden.
4. Leftover Drinking Water
Rather than pouring a half-empty glass of water down the sink, give it to your plants.
The best part about this source of water is that there aren't any nasty chemicals in there, so you can feel assured it won't affect plant health.
'Leftover drinking water from glasses, bottles, or pet bowls can be used to water plants,' says Lori.
This is an especially great method if you have pets whose water needs refreshing regularly in hot water. Any old water they haven't had can go straight to the garden.
A large watering can, like this metal one from Wayfair, can collect leftover drinking water throughout the day to use in the evening.
5. AC Condensate
Another source of water to recycle in the yard is the condensate from your AC unit.
This is the water your unit collects from the moisture in the air, which usually drips out of a pipe. It tends to be low in minerals and chemical-free, making it safe for the garden.
To collect the water from your AC unit, simply place a jug or bucket at the bottom of the pipe.
You can use this mesh rain barrel cover from Amazon to keep insects and debris out.
6. Laundry Water
Your wastewater from the washing machine can also be used in some places in the garden, though this is another one to avoid using on edible plants in case there are chemical traces.
To make it safer for your plants, opt for eco-friendly detergents (like this plant-based laundry detergent from Walmart).
You can also get a diverter valve (like this on Amazon) to redirect the water to a collection tank for your irrigation system. Or, use a bucket to collect directly from the drain hose.
7. Bathroom Sink Water
Another type of graywater to use is the water from your bathroom sink, i.e. the water used to wash hands.
Once again, by opting for a plant-based soap (this is a great pick from Target), you can make this water non-toxic and much safer for your plants.
This can be as simple as placing a bucket in your sink when washing your hands to collect the water, or you can install a diverter from your sink's waste pipe to redirect to a collection tank.
What to Shop
Use this soil moisture meter to monitor your soil's water levels. It helps you know when your plants need watering.
This brown mulch is perfect for locking in moisture and keeping plants hydrated during hot summer spells.
This drip irrigation kit has everything you need to set up a watering system for your yard to keep your garden hydrated all summer long.
As well as finding ways to recycle household water in the yard, you can reduce watering in the garden by choosing drought-tolerant planting, mulching, and installing an irrigation system (this kit from Amazon is highly rated).
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