How much water does handwashing take?

[Julianna Wolfe]

We got the Purell hand sanitizer to use for general handwashing and love it. I just wonder if it helps save on your water bill. Wonder how much water goes down the drain to wash hands. (First to get temp right, then the washing/rinsing)

[terry1156]

I think the first thing that you need to teach everyone in the family is to turn the water off while actually washing your hands. Wet hands, turn off, lather on soap, wash, turn on wather, rince, turn off. I learned this due to a drought in my area growing up and it has always stuck with me, but I see so many people that leave water running while doing other things.

[34saving]

I don't know if you're using actual Purell, but if you are, Walmart and Target (up here at least) carry generics that are the same thing -- they're a lot cheaper. Do you find your hands get awfully dried out?

[Julianna Wolfe]

I'm using the actual Purell. Got it on sale with 50% more. This is the first time we ever bought it and only did because my SIL (she is a doctor) likes it. Thank you for the tip to check for non-name brand stuff.

[PrincessPerky]

I got soap foamers for the kids, the soap comes out as foam with water mixed in so no first rinse, means the water isn't forgotten on, and is used a bit less (a lot less with mom and dad)

And I personally carry the purell type stuff in the car and diaper bag, but I never thought it did a good enough job as a full time use. but it is possibly just a prejudice.

[skipper]

We did this as a science experiment for my DD put the plug in the sink when you wash your hand for the whole series wet wash rinse turning the water off between and then doing it again without turning it off between steps we found that if you let it run you use three times more Same thing with toothbrushing

[mom-from-missouri]

Since my kids let the water run, no matter how much I reinforce not to, I gave up. They mainly use the downstairs bathroom, so I put a basin in the sink to catch the water they waste. I in turn use that to water plants. I have a large sunroom greenhouse type of room off my kitchen, and the plants in there use a lot of water, so I just dump it in there.