Conserving Water in Your RV – What NOT to Do

Unless you’re a full-time RVer, you probably have a residence that you call home when you’re not on the open road. And, it’s likely that you have what seems to be a never-ending supply of running water with which you can bathe yourself cook food, wash clothes and dishes, hose off the dog, and more. But, when you’re in your RV, you only have so much water to work with. The total capacity of your rig’s fresh water tank will probably depend on the size of your vehicle. Small RVs have small tanks and large RVs have bigger tanks. Regardless of what size your tank is, you should still train yourself to stop thinking about water as an unlimited resource – like it probably is for you at home – and begin thinking of it as a precious commodity.

So, before you embark on your next trip, consider some of the things you should avoid doing when you want to conserve water in your RV:

• Don’t run water and let it go down the drain while you wait for it to get hot. Instead, catch the cool water in a bucket or jug and use it in other ways, such as for rinsing dishes, washing fruits and vegetables, or for brushing your teeth.
• Don’t rinse washed dishes under running water. Instead, use a bowl or bucket of water to dip and rinse dishes.
• Don’t use too much dish soap when washing dishes. The more soap you use, the more rinsing will be required. If food is particularly caked on a dish or pan, soak it for a while before washing it.
• Don’t attempt to mimic the bathing and showering routine you have at home while you’re on the road – say goodbye to your 20-minute showers for a while. Instead, embrace sponge bathing, especially when you’re not connected to a water supply. Using body wipes can help you save even more water.
• Don’t leave the water running if you do need to shower in your rig. Take a “navy shower:” Once your body is wet, turn off the water, soap up, and wash yourself. Only turn on the water again to rinse off.
• Don’t fill ice cube trays with water. Instead, purchase some reusable plastic ice cubes to freeze and use in your drinks.

It may seem a little inconvenient to have to limit your water usage like this, but when you think about water as a limited resource during your travels, you’ll be more aware of how much water you actually need to do daily tasks. What’s more, the good water conservation habits you develop on the road may inspire you to more diligently monitor your water use at home, too. To learn more about ways to conserve water in your RV, contact us today!