How to Save Water by Taking a Shorter Shower

With apologies to the opera singers among us, there's almost nothing we do in a shower that can't be done in a few minutes less.

Step 1: Install a water-efficient showerhead. At about 2.5 gallons per minute, the showerhead will use less than 13 gallons for a five-minute shower—as compared to 30 to 50 gallons for a typical bath.
Step 2: Time your shower. Right before you jump in, set the timer to five minutes.
Step 3: Soap your limbs, wash your hair, shave your face, legs, whatever you like, and rinse. You'll be surprised how fast it goes if you don't dawdle.
TIP: Throw a bucket under the shower before turning it on. While you wait for hot water, you can collect water for your indoor plants.
Step 4: To save even more water, turn it off while you lather up. Taking a so-called "navy shower" saves a lot of water—just make sure not to rub your eyes.
TIP: Short hair can be quicker and easier to wash than long tresses. Haircut, anyone?
Step 5: Shower with a friend and cut the water you use in half. As the song says, "scrub the one you're with."
FACT: You might be "too clean"—studies show an accumulation of some bacteria is healthy for your body, so it's actually better if you don't shower every day.