The financial pressure is on to save energy any way we can. Helpful options can range from expensive projects like replacement windows or solar panels to inexpensive choices such as reusing water.

Recycling grey water isn’t just for efficiency experts or gung-ho environmentalists; it’s something that every family can and should do. Grey water is essentially the used, but not overly dirty (non sewage) water that your household consumes.

Think about all the water that goes down the drain when you run the shower or washing machine. That water can be re-used. Keep reading to learn 3 ways you can recycle your grey water and save money on your water bills.

1. Washing Machine to the Garden

Washing machine drain lines are some of the easiest to convert to a gray water system. Washing machines that run on porches, in mud rooms or in the garage are easy to drain through a simple gray water line because you won’t need to go through any major walls.

The proximity of the washing machine to your garden is another factor to consider. Also, because grey water lines flow by gravity, you need to have the used water receptacle lower than the appliance being drained.

With a washing machine, you can easily attach a hose to the drain line and store the water in simple, fifty gallon buckets. When you’re ready to use the water, move it to smaller buckets and then use it to water plants and trees on your property.

When you’re recycling household wash water, you also need to be careful about what kind of detergents you’re using. You don’t want chemicals seeping into your land and plants, especially if it’s an edible garden.

2. Recycling Dishwasher Water

The most basic way to recycle dish water is to wash your dishes in a small basin, carry that water outside once you’re done and dump it on the garden. It’s easy and thrifty.

If you use an electric dishwasher, you can still drain the water. Like clothing washers, dishwashers are drained through a special hosing that keeps the cleaner water separate from any sewage. This water can then be used on your property for watering plants or washing your exterior walls.

3. From the Shower to the Toilet

Believe it or not, you can use your grey shower or bath water to flush your toilet. This simple method can be a fully automated process that involves a special grey water collection installation, or you can simply collect the water and fill your toilet’s tank with it manually.

You can also install grey water collection systems that funnel your shower water to an outside water basin that can then be used for watering your property.