How to use less water Kitchen water savers

Use your kettle wisely

Save water as well as energy by using the minimum amount of water required when you boil water in your kettle.

We measure how much energy an electric kettle uses during our lab tests - for the most energy-efficient models, look for a kettle with an 'energy to boil' star rating of four or more in our kettles review.

Water saving: Around 10 litres (2.5p) a day 

Green washing machine Wash full loads to save water

Fill the washing machine

Make sure your washing machine has a full load before you switch it on and buy a water efficient washing machine. Machines labelled A for energy efficiency tend to be water efficient, too. See our washing machine energy efficiency page for tips on running your machine efficiently.

The average washing machine uses 9.5 litres of water for every kilogram of cotton clothes it washes. But during our washing machine testing, we found water use varied between models, ranging from one that used just 6.2 litres of water per kilogram to another that consumed 11.8 litres of water per kilogram. To find the most water-efficient washing machines we've tested, look for a washing machine with a water use rating of four stars or higher using our washing machines compare features and prices tool.

Water saving: 5 to 10 litres (around 1.25- 2.5p) every wash

Use a washing up bowl

Don't rinse dishes under a running tap, instead use a washing up bowl. Also try to use a bowl when washing vegetables, as the leftover water can then be used for watering house plants.

Water saving: 20 litres (5p) a day

Fix dripping kitchen taps

Broken kitchen taps can waste 12 to 20 litres of water a day. New washers cost only a few pence but will save you money if your water is metered.

Water saving: A dripping tap can waste 12 to 20 litres of water a day – that's around 3-5p* worth of water

* 'Money saved' figures refer to water meter customers on an average tariff charging 0.25p per litre.

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