How to Save Water by Taking a Shorter Shower

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With apologies to the opera singers among us, there's almost nothing we do in a shower that can't be done in a few minutes less.

Step 1:
Install a water-efficient showerhead. At about 2.5 gallons per minute, the showerhead will use less than 13 gallons for a five-minute shower—as compared to 30 to 50 gallons for a typical bath.

Step 2:
Time your shower. Right before you jump in, set the timer to five minutes.

Step 3:
Soap your limbs, wash your hair, shave your face, legs, whatever you like, and rinse. You'll be surprised how fast it goes if you don't dawdle.

Tip
Throw a bucket under the shower before turning it on. While you wait for hot water, you can collect water for your indoor plants.

Step 4:
To save even more water, turn it off while you lather up. Taking a so-called "navy shower" saves a lot of water—just make sure not to rub your eyes.

Tip
Short hair can be quicker and easier to wash than long tresses. Haircut, anyone?

Step 5:
Shower with a friend and cut the water you use in half. As the song says, "scrub the one you're with."

Did You Know?
You might be "too clean"—studies show an accumulation of some bacteria is healthy for your body, so it's actually better if you don't shower every day.