- Low-flow showerheads:
In general, low-flow shower heads don't have water-pressure problems and average about 2 gallons a minute, which is a lot better than outdated and traditional models. Check out this handy video by the Sierra Club's Owen Bailey on how to install one. It's important to note that these low-flow models have a soft hum, so your singing voice won't be drowned out!
- My showers last:
It depends on your shower head, but with a standard one, a shower at more than nine minutes can use about 40 gallons of water, half of which isn't even used to your benefit. A lot of water is wasted while soaping, shaving, or waiting for the water to warm up before hopping in. Low-flow heads can range from 1.5 gallons to 2.5 gallons a minute. In that case, a longer shower isn't as bad, especially after getting home from a muddy game of rugby.
- The last time I checked my pipes and faucets for leaks was:
Believe it or not, the average American uses 100 gallons of water a day! And leaky faucets, toilets, and pipes are a huge culprit in the battle against wasting water, because it's so easy to overlook them. The best thing to do is reserve a weekend to get on your hands and knees and see what's doing with the pipes. One trick is to check your water meter before and after a three-hour period during which no water is being used. If it changes at all, there's a leak. And don't forget other surefire ways to save water, like turning off the tap while you shave or brush your teeth. And if you want to become an Ultimate Master of Water Conservation, consider a gray-water system that uses shower and sink water to irrigate your garden.
- If every American household had a toilet and sink faucet with the WaterSense label, a program sponsored by the EPA, we'd save how much water a year:
The number of gallons in the Pacific Ocean is about 21 digits, so don't get carried away. But the right answer is in the hundreds of billions of gallons, so the correct answer is more than the Olympic pool and Rose Bowl combined. You'd need 84.3 million gallons of water to fill the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. An Olympic sized swimming pool is 660,000 gallons. Ten times that is 6.6 million gallons.
- The light I use while I'm trimming my nose hairs comes from:
Although they're a little more expensive, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) last longer and use about one-quarter of the power used by traditional bulbs. The lifespan of most CFLs is around 10,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs last around 1,000 hours. So even though the price tag is initially a little high, you end up saving more in energy bills throughout the life of the bulb. That means you can take your time while you reach for those pesky and unwanted hairs.
- Traditional shampoo and soap products are natural and harmless!
Most of the shampoo and soap products found in the typical chain store contain toxins and chemicals -- some known to be cancer-causing -- and were tested on animals. Often, these products are labeled "natural" when there's nothing natural about them. You can check this site or the Good Guide to find out the real skinny on such products. Greener alternatives include organic or hemp soaps and shampoos.
- Hydrogen peroxide is:
There's a reason why toothpaste labels warn not to swallow. While hydrogen peroxide can be harmful in some forms and in large doses, it's in many toothpaste brands, along with toxins such as sodium monofluorophosphate, sulfates, and other bleaching agents. If you want a greener toothpaste that will still whiten your teeth, search for eco-friendly brands either on the Web or in an alternative pharmaceutical store.
- The standard deodorant and antiperspirant brand is a natural way to keep people from running away from me.
It's true that standard deodorants and antiperspirants might mask your odor, but there's nothing "natural" about these products that are saturated with harmful toxins. They contain cancer-causing chemicals like aluminum and carcinogens like talc, propylene glycol, and steareth. Try saying those things three times fast. Not fun! Luckily, there are eco-friendly deodorants out there, though some are more effective than others. To find these products, avoid the pharmaceutical chain store and visit a store known for eco-friendly home products, or on the Web. You can get one while you're searching for that toothpaste.
- Environmentally friendly bath towels and bathroom mats made from organic cotton/bamboo fiber/hemp are extremely difficult to find.
Organic and other eco-towels and mats are available on the Web or at stores that offer eco-friendly products. It's just a matter of looking beyond the standard chain stores for your bath products. And they are just as effective if you want to twirl them and whip someone in the rear end!
- What do sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, potassium hydroxide, and sulfuric acid remind you of?
If you truly want to rid your bathroom of chemicals, you can start by purchasing an eco-friendly drain cleaner. Or use the simple home remedy of one cup of baking soda, one cup of vinegar, and hot water. It's not as exciting as high school chemistry, but it will definitely help you achieve a green bathroom for the better!.