Greywater refers to the water produced by our household activities, such as washing clothes, dishes, or showering. Unlike blackwater or contaminated wastewater, greywater decomposes quickly, contains no fecal bacteria, and is low in nitrogen and phosphorus. It can then be recycled and used for other purposes, thus saving water. Find out if you can reuse the water from your washing machine to water your plants.
To reduce your water bill and save this vital natural resource, consider recycling graywater from your household operations.
Is it possible to reuse washing machine water to water plants?
It is possible to reclaim washing machine water to water plants, provided you use the final rinse water. This contains very little soap and can be used to water potted plants. Some soaps also contain potash, which promotes plant growth. However, if the detergent you use is not environmentally friendly, avoid watering your potted plants with washing machine water. Also, avoid watering your plants with the water from the first rinses, which is still soapy.
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Water the plants
What has been said about washing machine water also applies to shower and dishwater, provided that only rinse water is used. Be careful, this graywater must be stored for a maximum of 24 hours to prevent the growth of bacteria. Also, only use it occasionally, especially during periods of severe drought or for a short period. Also, avoid using this graywater to water edible vegetable plants, so as not to contaminate your crop with pathogens contained in the water. That said, water recovered from the washing machine, and graywater in general, can be used to irrigate the lawn and your ornamental garden.
What other waters can be used to water plants?
water the plants
To water your plants, you have other alternatives.
– Vegetable cooking water: After cooking your vegetables, let the cooking water cool and use it to water your plants. In addition to hydrating them, this cooking water also acts as a natural fertilizer. Rich in minerals, it gives more vigor to the plants. Note that this water must not be salty and must come from untreated organic vegetables . In this case, you can also use vegetable wash water to water your plants.
Tip: To eliminate weeds, use potato cooking water. It’s actually an effective natural herbicide, especially if it’s salty. Let the cooking water cool and pour it over the weeds you want to eliminate.
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– Rainwater: This non-calcareous water is preferred by plants. To successfully water your plants, use non-calcareous spring water at room temperature. Water that is too cold or too hot can create thermal shock for the plant and damage its root system.
That said, reusing washing machine water to water your plants is an eco-friendly way to conserve this vital natural resource. However, be sure to only use water from the last rinse cycle and only water non-edible plants.
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