32 Uses for Rainwater
September 13, 2007 by Deborah Ng
Filed under Around the House, Doing it Yourself, Eco Simplicity, General, Reusing and Recycling, Simple Pleasures, Simpler Thinking
Rainwater and/or roofwater harvesting is becoming more popular among the frugal living/green living set. The water can be contained in anything from a large plastic wading pool to a traditional rain barrel to a rainwater harvesting system and has many uses. The next time it pours, don’t think of it as a downer, but rather an opportunity.
Rain water is soft, low in minerals and salt free. Not only can you save money by harvesting rainwater, but you’ll also save one of our precious natural resources. If you don’t mind making an investment, you can even purchase rainwater harvesting systems enabling you to direct the water to your toilet, shower and kitchen. With the proper treatment, rain water can be used for the same things you’d use your well or city water.
Behold 32 uses for rainwater.
- Use it to water flowers and vegetables in your garden.
- Use it to supply water to your toilet tank for flusing.
- Use it to wash your cars and bikes.
- Use it to clean outdoor furniture.
- Use it to wash your porch, deck or patio.
- Use it to top off your pool.
- Use to cool off your compost.
- Use to rinse out dirty buckets and composters.
- Use to rinse off muddy or salty boots.
- Use for household projects such as mixing cement.
- Use to rinse off after working outside.
- Use to rinse feet before stepping into the pool.
- Use to put out fires.
- Use for water pumps.
- Use in your hot tub.
- Use for your pets water bowl.
- Use to water livestock.
- Use for outside fountains, ponds and other backyard water features.
- Use for your fish tank.
- Use for outdoor showers.
- Use for outdoor kitchens.
- Rinse off dishes and siliverware after barbecues.
- Rinse off dishes before using the dishwasher.
- Use to run a wet saw and other water powered machinery.
- Use to clean up after art projects.
- Use to wash your floors.
- Use for drinking and cooking water – with the proper treatment.
- Use for soaking clothes before putting them into the wash.
- Use for soaking labels off jars.
- Use to bathe and shower – with proper treatment.
- Use to spritz yourself off on a hot summer day.
- Use to fill water ballons for your child’s birthday party.
Can you think of any more? Lets see how long we can make their list. Add your ideas in the comment and I’ll update the list often!
When I was a little girl my grandmother would strain rain water she had collected in a metal tub and use it to wash our hair. WOW thanks for reminding me of that sweet memory…Pam, South Bend
O.k..there is also technology for full house rainwater catchment systems that could feasibly supply a household with useable water all year long. By doing this there owuld be less runoff and ultimately less flooding and rather than disturbing ground water levels we would be doing good thigns for the environment.
Great ideas!
As much as I like most of the ideas, I think using the rainwater as drinking water for pets (or people) is a little much. Rainwater isn’t always as pure as expected especially with acid rain becoming more prevalent.
Liz,
I agree with you in most situations, however, in an emergancy I can promise you I will be running outside with my mouth open and a glass in my hand.
I think there may have also been some concern about rain water collected from roof gutters. I was all set to install a rain barrel under one of my leaders when I read that depending on the roofing material the water my not be entirely safe for watering vegetables. Flowers and lawns definitely OK, but veggie gardens maybe not.