Water saving bath hacks for sustainable living or that RV life

Whether you’re living that RV life, off the grid, or just want to be more sustainable, water availability can be a big issue. Bathing dogs can use a fair amount of water, but there are some clever tricks to cut down on waste while keeping your pup clean. According to Swan Watering Company, a garden hose uses an average of 9 and 17 gallons per minute (GPM), but this varies based upon water pressure and hose size. The flow of an RV averages around 3.3 GPM. With limited water or the desire to conserve, it’s very easy to use a lot of water when bathing a bigger dog.

Water-saving tricks when bathing your pet

The key here is preparation and efficiency. Smaller dogs might even fit in a sink, which naturally uses less water than a tub or an outdoor setup. Adjust what you do based on your dog’s size and how dirty they get.

Pre-wipe and brushing

Pre-wiping your dog with a damp cloth or pet-friendly wipes before a bath significantly reduces the amount of loose dirt and debris that ends up in the tub water. This means you won’t have to rinse your dog as many times to get them clean, thus conserving water. Similarly, thoroughly brushing your dog before getting them wet removes some debris, loose fur, and mats. Wet fur tends to clump together, making it harder for shampoo to penetrate and for you to rinse it out effectively. By brushing beforehand, you minimize the amount of hair that needs to be washed away, leading to a quicker bath with less water consumption. Both pre-wiping and brushing streamline the bathing process, ensuring a cleaner dog with less water waste.

Use a bucket or kiddie pool

Using a bucket or kiddie pool (like in the photo above) to wash pets can help save water by significantly reducing the amount used compared to traditional hose washing. When using a hose, water often runs continuously, even when not actively rinsing or scrubbing the pet, leading to unnecessary waste. In contrast, a bucket or kiddie pool holds a finite amount of water, encouraging the user to be more mindful and efficient in its usage. Additionally, with a limited water supply, we are more likely to use just the right amount of water needed for cleaning rather than letting it flow endlessly. This controlled method minimizes water wastage, making it a more eco-friendly and resource-efficient option for pet care. Using a kiddie pool will help you catch and reuse water.

Living in an RV off the grid, I use a kiddie pool to wash. It is beneficial for a few reasons. When moving to a new location, I could use the kiddie pool to catch dirt from things outside, and it also made a nice tight way for me to put things such as gas cans into slide under the RV and put them out of sight. Moreso, it was beneficial in saving water to wash two bigger dogs. I would use about five gallons per dog this way. Sometimes, you may be able to soak one dog with the other dog’s water as well. So consider washing multiple dogs together.

Think about pre-washing

If your dogs are overly dirty, consider taking them for a swim somewhere to help prewash them. Allowing your dog to swim in a natural body of water, like a lake or pond, can help rinse off dirt, sand, and loose hair. The water helps loosen up debris and can also give your dog a chance to shake off any excess dirt before you begin the actual washing. Just be sure to take into consideration the water source. If the body of water is full of algae, you probably don’t want to risk bathing your dogs as some forms of algae, such as blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), can be dangerous.

Use water-saving attachments

Consider investing in a water-saving nozzle or shower head for pet bathing. Using water-saving attachments for washing pets is a smart choice because it helps conserve water while still providing an effective wash. Many traditional hoses or sprayers release a large volume of water, often more than necessary for cleaning a pet, leading to waste. Water-saving attachments, such as low-flow showerheads or pet-specific nozzles, are designed to reduce the flow of water while maintaining sufficient pressure to rinse and clean your pet effectively. These attachments allow for more controlled water usage, ensuring that you use only what is needed for the task. Additionally, they often feature adjustable settings that allow you to tailor the water flow to your pet’s size and coat type, making the washing process more efficient. By using water-saving attachments, you not only help conserve this valuable resource but also contribute to lowering your water bill and reducing your environmental impact. Simply put, use a nozzle on the end of your hose if you’re outside. You just want to be sure to use a low-flow nozzle or only lightly press on the handle to reduce flow.

Spot cleaning and bathing less frequently

If your dog only has a dirty patch (like muddy paws), focus on cleaning just that area instead of giving a full bath. A small basin or handheld sprayer works well for this. Also, consider if you’re bathing the dog too frequently. Only bathe your dog when needed, rather than on a set schedule, to reduce water use. Most dogs don’t need baths as often as we think unless they get particularly dirty or have a skin condition. Most dogs should be bathed between one and three months depending on activity level, breed, coat type, and skin conditions.

Dry shampooing

In addition to spot cleaning, you may consider using a dry shampoo on your pet. For light cleaning, try a waterless dog shampoo. Dry shampoos, which come in powder or spray form, allow you to clean your pet’s coat without the need for water, reducing the amount of water used in the grooming process. By applying dry shampoo, you can absorb oils, dirt, and odors from your pet’s fur without having to give them a full bath. This is especially useful for in-between baths or for pets that don’t require frequent washing. It’s a more efficient way to maintain cleanliness, as it eliminates the need to run water for rinsing and avoids the mess and potential stress that comes with a traditional bath. Additionally, dry shampoos are often formulated to be gentle on your pet’s skin, providing a convenient solution for regular touch-ups without the need for water or excessive cleaning products. It’s not a full substitute for a bath, but it can stretch the time between wet washes. Be sure to check the formulation for bad ingredients or pet type, such as dog or cats. You may also want to do a spot test on your pet to ensure that your baby isn’t allergic.

Consider using a sponge

There are a couple of reasons to consider using a sponge on your pets. Firstly, use a sponge for lathering and conserving water. Instead of constantly running water while you scrub your dog, use a sponge or cloth to apply soap or shampoo, and only turn on the water when you need to rinse. Secondly, you can use the sponge to wash their face more safely.

In summary

Bathing dogs can consume a significant amount of water, especially for those living in RVs, off-grid, or aiming for sustainability. A garden hose uses 9-17 gallons per minute (GPM), while an RV’s flow averages 3.3 GPM, making water conservation tricky, particularly with larger dogs. However, there are effective strategies to reduce waste while keeping pets clean.

Preparation is key: Pre-wipe dogs with a damp cloth or pet wipes and brush them thoroughly to remove dirt and loose fur before bathing, minimizing rinse time. Use a bucket or kiddie pool instead of a running hose to limit water use—about five gallons per dog for bigger breeds—and reuse water for multiple pets if possible. Pre-washing overly dirty dogs in a safe natural water source, like a lake (avoiding algae-laden spots), can also cut down on bath water. Water-saving nozzles or low-flow showerheads further reduce flow while maintaining cleaning power.

For smaller messes, spot clean with a sponge or basin rather than giving a full bath, and bathe less frequently—every one to three months, depending on the dog’s needs. Dry shampoo offers a waterless option for light cleaning, absorbing dirt and oils between baths, though it’s not a full substitute. Using a sponge to lather soap and wash sensitive areas, like the face, also conserves water by limiting rinsing. These tricks ensure a clean pup with minimal environmental impact.