Water is a finite resource, but it is essential for our survival. Do you want to find out how you can save something as precious as the water that keeps you alive? Today we are going to show you 8 tips that you can use to save water and make your consumption in the kitchen more sustainable.
Water is our greatest natural resource, but only 3% of it is fresh water, of which only ⅓ is accessible for consumption in agriculture and cities. The rest is frozen in glaciers or hidden underground.
And how can you save water in your kitchen?
Saving water in the kitchen often also means saving energy, combining business with pleasure: saving the planet and minimizing your energy bill.
1. Steam cooking instead of boiling
When you steam your vegetables, you save water while preserving the nutrients in your food. Steaming does not involve adding additional fat like olive oil or butter. You save water and control your fat intake.
2. Do not use water to defrost food
Avoid using water to defrost food. If you want to be more sustainable with your water consumption, defrost your food by leaving it in the fridge overnight. If you forget, you can always use your microwave on “defrost” mode.
3. Fill your dishwasher completely
Before you start washing your dishwasher, make sure it is completely full. This way, you will save more money on your energy bill and, at the same time, you will save water, detergent and time.
4. Use the right pots and pans
How many times have you filled a huge pot with water to cook a small portion of pasta or vegetables? We suggest that you use the appropriate pots and pans for your recipes, since the larger the pots and pans, the greater the tendency we have to use more water. In addition, more water takes longer to boil, for example, and consequently higher energy costs.
5. Soak your utensils
Did you make that dinner recipe that stuck to the pan and you're scrubbing non-stop to try to clean it as best as possible? Don't leave the water running to free your utensils from soaking. Fill them or cover them with water for a while so that it's easier to wash them later without wasting water.
6. Reuse the water from your cooking
Don’t throw away the water you used to cook pasta or vegetables. Instead, you can reuse it in the rest of your recipe (which will even add more flavor) or water your plants (once the water has cooled).
7. Clean immediately with a cloth
Instead of wasting water to clean the kitchen floor after cooking, we suggest that you wipe up any small spills that may occur while cooking with a cloth. If you do this while the food is in the oven, you will also be able to keep your kitchen clean more easily.
8. Practice sustainable cleaning
Is it time to give your mop a thorough cleaning? Take advantage of the water you leave running while you wait for the temperature to reach the right temperature. Simply place the bucket under the tap and you'll quickly have water for your cleaning needs.
