What are you doing to become water efficient?

[Happy hen lover]

Just an update on the soaker hoses I ordered from Lowe's. They are Melnor brand. soft plastic liner with porous fabric outer skin. The ones I ordered were 75' long, enough for 2 rows in my garden. They have 50 footers in the store for almost the same price. I have had mine for 2 weeks now and I like 'em. As I've said, I usually have a heavy mulch layer on my garden and flower beds. I have placed the hoses in contact with the ground beneath the mulch (you may not believe how much water that mulch will soak up before reaching the soil). I was having to water every day for several hours each day, to keep my garden alive. I now water for about 3-4 hours/day, about 2-3 days per week (I check under the mulch for moisture before I will turn on the water). So I have considerably cut my water usage in the garden. Will be getting more of these hoses for the flower beds too!
My only concern it how long they will last. With them buried under the mulch, not in direct sunlight I'm hopin they will last a few years. Keepin my fingers crossed!

Mine have lasted 4 years at least problem is a split on inside hose and too much leaks out in spots. I can repair with a 1/2" splice if needed, just cut open outside material. I think they last longer because or material on outside.

 

[neo71665]

I'm just cheap. I collect rainwater in 2 500 gallon tubs. 1k gallons of water normally lasts me for my main garden all year. They are plumbed to gather all the water off my shop roof.

I also collect rain water for my chickens, dogs, and coons. I use two 55 gallon drums and that has been lasting me between rains. I have them plumbed to catch the water off my coop. About to add 2 more to catch the water off my covered run when I can get all the stuff I need free or super cheap. So far I have about 90% of the gutter needed and the barrels.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Yes, cos my family thinks it’s yucky, they want the white porcelain and clean water to wash away the stuff here some info https://trobolo.com/en/guide-for-dry-toilets/

I'm awful...my first thought is if I have to clean it! I'll have to read some more about that ...it definitely sounds environmently wise.

No, I have to buy. I have read that the trees are quite hearty and should grow in my area, but they get 40 feet tall or so and I don’t have room for that. The use of soap nuts is new to me so I purchased through Amazon. The bag I bought should last me a while, you can use them multiple times.

Are you liking how they work and are they easy to use?
Multiple use! I definitely need to learn about soapnuts

 

[igorsMistress]

I'm awful...my first thought is if I have to clean it! I'll have to read some more about that ...it definitely sounds environmently wise.

Are you liking how they work and are they easy to use?
Multiple use! I definitely need to learn about soapnuts

Very easy to use! I simmered a few in a pot of water for liquid soap in the kitchen. I haven’t used any in my laundry, but they came in a muslin bag that you put them in for that purpose.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Very easy to use! I simmered a few in a pot of water for liquid soap in the kitchen. I haven’t used any in my laundry, but they came in a muslin bag that you put them in for that purpose.

I just finished reading about them and ordered some. Excited to try them!

 

[igorsMistress]

I just finished reading about them and ordered some. Excited to try them!

Let me know what you think. I haven’t tried for anything heavy duty, but I’m using the concentrate I made in my household cleaner to give it a try.

 

[ChicksnMore]

@igorsMistress
Haven't tried using it yet...but wow on the bubbles! I boiled one single soapnut in a cup of water for 5 or 10 minutes, put it in a bottle, gave it a little shake and got this...

I'll have some fun with it tomorrow

 

[igorsMistress]

@igorsMistress
Haven't tried using it yet...but wow on the bubbles! I boiled one single soapnut in a cup of water for 5 or 10 minutes, put it in a bottle, gave it a little shake and got this...View attachment 3226855
I'll have some fun with it tomorrow

Lol I know, it’s crazy isn’t it? Let me know how you like using it.

 

[ChicksnMore]

I've been sniff testing it daily to see if it spoils or changes. It's been left out in our heat and it still smells devine. It has a fresh, clean, mild soapy smell and that's not changing at all. Very pleased.

I've tried it as hand soap because I have "housewife hands". That just means I have allergic reactions to a lot of chemicals...but only in my hands. Anyhow, so far I like it as hand soap. No reactions to it and it's worked to remove all the grubby stuff I get on my hands...dirt, paint, rebar wire black whatever that is coating, etc. I'm thinking of trying to add a little glycerin to it for the hand soap for the moisture it adds to my hands.

This coming week I'll try it as dish soap and see how it does on grease.

So far I'm really liking it.

 

[igorsMistress]

I've been sniff testing it daily to see if it spoils or changes. It's been left out in our heat and it still smells devine. It has a fresh, clean, mild soapy smell and that's not changing at all. Very pleased.

I've tried it as hand soap because I have "housewife hands". That just means I have allergic reactions to a lot of chemicals...but only in my hands. Anyhow, so far I like it as hand soap. No reactions to it and it's worked to remove all the grubby stuff I get on my hands...dirt, paint, rebar wire black whatever that is coating, etc. I'm thinking of trying to add a little glycerin to it for the hand soap for the moisture it adds to my hands.

This coming week I'll try it as dish soap and see how it does on grease.

So far I'm really liking it.

I like the scent as well, it’s simple and clean, not some chemical concoction. Those housewife hands can hurt, I’m glad it’s working for you so far!

I’ve been using the same recipe for years for my household cleaner. I’m using the soap nuts soap instead and cut my recipe back to just the soap and water with tea tree oil. No residue on the counters or cabinets and everything is clean. So far my hands have no reaction to the cleaner.