water

I have some water butts but since we had this dry spell I am running short. I was wondering if I can put my washing up water in them would it make the water foul to put on the plants or the chemicals in washing up liquid kill plants. We are on a water metre so we have to be careful about using the hosepipe.

 

Hi Sue. I am also pretty green (or, being on meter, cheap) I collect rainwater off the roof and off the greenhouse but like you I am running out. I am certainly going to collect bathroom water in that we don't use perfumed soap etc. Neither of us bath (Naughty - we shower) and although the odd family visitor may use perfumed bathing stuff we prefer the non-allergic 'simple' soap.

I'm not too sure about washing up water though with grease as well as chemicals. I'm sure you can get some chemical to clean it up but it will be very expensive. Someone from Greenpeace may disagree though and I am always open to new knowledge

 

I use my washing up water, but as I don't use a frying pan its never very greasy, and the washing up liquid that I use is very weak.

Given that people spray very dilute washing up liquid on plants to combat aphids, I don't see antything wrong with the principle.

 

Good idea, shame to waste the water and I can't Imagen that washing up liquid will do any harm.

 

My water butts are running out too - one empty and the other getting there fast. However, we have rain forecast for the next two days, so I hope they will be replenished.

You can use "grey" water, I use mine on beds rather than pots. I have a long run-off for hot water on our house system, so run the cold off into those huge, plastic milk bottles you get from supermarkets so as not to waste it before the hot water comes through.

Again, as said, water with washing up liquid in it can be used to spray aphids and ants.

 

I was under the impression that washing up water is not such a good idea for watering as it's mainly the presence of food particles and grease which impart the damage by attracting vermin etc.