Did you know today is World Water Day? Clean water is something that so many of us take for granted, yet so many in the world desperately need. Nearly two billion people worldwide drink unsafe water. And every day, over 1,000 children die from illnesses like diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera caused by dirty water and unhygienic living conditions.

In 1993, the United Nations declared March 22nd as World Water Day to highlight the importance of freshwater and to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

“Today 748 million people around the world still have no clean water to drink.” World Water Day is a United Nations day to celebrate water, make a difference for the members of the global population who suffer from water-related issues, and prepare for how we manage water in the future.

How can you make a difference when you’re cleaning at home?

  • Always turn taps off tightly so they do not drip. Promptly repair any leaks in and around your taps. (One leak can waste several thousand litres of water per year.)
  • When hand-washing dishes, never run water continuously. Wash dishes in a partially filled sink and then rinse them using the spray attachment on your tap.
  • If you have an electric dishwasher, use it only to wash full loads, and use the shortest cycle possible. Many dishwashers have a conserver/water-miser cycle.
  • You can reduce water usage by 40% to 50% by installing low-flush toilets.
  • Wash only full loads in your washing machine.
  • Use the shortest cycle possible for washing clothes, and use the “suds-saver” feature if your machine has one.
  • Use only cleaning products that will not harm the environment when they are washed away after use. Look for “environmentally friendly” products when shopping.
  • Use microfiber! This innovative material can clean more efficiently than a rag or paper towel and help you use less water. Microfibers can absorb up to seven times their weight in water due to their high density and surface area! Cleaning up spills is a snap, and microfiber mops reduce the amount of water and chemicals needed to complete the job. And because they’re so much lighter than regular cotton mops, microfiber mops are a real back saver!

Read more at these helpful sites:

  • http://www.wateraid.org/us/get-involved/world-water-day#/one-time-donation/USD/
  • http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/world-water-day-2015?gclid=CIOKwLb5v8QCFShn7AodKAIAEA
  • http://water.org/