Saving water in the shower actually worked for me

I’ve actually tried using one of those shallow storage bins instead of a regular bucket, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. They’re definitely harder to trip over, but they take up more floor space and can be awkward to carry when full. Also, if your shower floor isn’t totally flat, water can slosh out pretty easily. I ended up going back to a tall bucket but switched to one with a handle that folds down flat - less toe-stubbing, still easy to dump outside. Not perfect, but it works for now.

Funny, I’ve seen a lot of folks try the shallow bin trick and it always looks promising until you actually have to move the thing. I had a tenant once who swore by those under-bed storage bins for catching shower water - she said it was easier to scoop her feet in and out without whacking her toes. But every time she tried to carry it out to water her plants, she’d end up with half the water on the hallway floor. Not ideal, especially in an upstairs unit with creaky floors...

I’ve always leaned toward the classic tall bucket myself, mostly because they’re just easier to lug around when full. The folding handle is a smart tweak - never thought about that before, but I can see how it’d save your ankles some grief. One thing I’ve noticed is that those cheap hardware store buckets can get brittle if you leave them in the sun too long (learned that the hard way after one cracked mid-carry).

If anyone’s still experimenting, I’ve also seen people use those flexible silicone tubs - they’re lighter and you can kind of squeeze them through tight doorways or around corners. They don’t last forever but they’re less awkward than a rigid bin. Still, nothing’s perfect when you’re trying not to spill graywater all over the place.

It’s funny how saving water ends up being more about logistics than anything else. You start out thinking you’ll just catch some runoff and suddenly you’re engineering a whole system just to get it outside without making a mess...

Honestly, those under-bed bins always seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. I get the appeal - low profile, easy on the toes - but the minute you try to haul one full of water, it’s like carrying a wobbly lasagna pan through an obstacle course. I’m with you on the tall bucket, but I’ll admit, I once tried a silicone tub and ended up pinching my hand trying to squeeze it through a door. There’s gotta be a better way, right? Maybe we need a purpose-built graywater caddy or something... because these workarounds are starting to feel like a Rube Goldberg project.

the minute you try to haul one full of water, it’s like carrying a wobbly lasagna pan through an obstacle course

That’s exactly the problem I ran into - one little tilt and you’re mopping up half the bathroom floor. I get why people try all these hacks, but I always wonder about the safety side. Is anyone else worried about slipping or straining their back with these makeshift solutions? I tried using a regular bucket once but ended up splashing water everywhere just trying to pour it out.

Has anyone found a container or setup that actually feels stable when full? Something with sturdy handles, maybe even wheels? I keep thinking there must be some gardening or cleaning tool that could cross over for this… but nothing I’ve seen really seems made for hauling graywater through narrow halls and doorways. Or is there a reason most of us are just improvising with whatever we can find?

Honestly, I think the whole “just use a bucket” thing is kind of overrated.

I tried using a regular bucket once but ended up splashing water everywhere just trying to pour it out.

I totally get what you mean about buckets being a pain. I tried the “bucket in the shower” trick to save water for my plants, but honestly, half the time I’d end up with wet socks and a puddle in the hallway. Ended up grabbing one of those mop buckets with wheels from a yard sale - game changer. Not exactly stylish, but way less mess. Sometimes the pro gear just makes life easier, even for little home projects.

Yeah, those buckets can be a real hassle. I tried using an old paint bucket once and nearly wiped out on the tile - water everywhere, socks soaked, total mess. The mop bucket with wheels is a solid upgrade. Not the prettiest thing, but who cares if it keeps your floors dry and makes hauling water less of a circus act? Sometimes it’s just about finding what works, not what looks good. Funny how a little “pro” gear can totally change the game for stuff like this.

Not the prettiest thing, but who cares if it keeps your floors dry and makes hauling water less of a circus act?

Honestly, I’d take function over form any day. I’ve tried those “aesthetic” buckets and they’re just not built for real use - slippery handles, awkward to pour, you name it. The mop bucket with wheels is a game changer, especially if you’re hauling shower water to the garden or laundry. Curious - has anyone found a way to make the process less of a pain when it comes to actually collecting the water in the shower? I’ve tried a few setups but still end up with half the water on the floor...

“I’d take function over form any day. I’ve tried those ‘aesthetic’ buckets and they’re just not built for real use - slippery handles, awkward to pour, you name it.”

You nailed it on the “slippery handles” thing. I can’t count how many times I’ve dropped one of those “designer” buckets mid-haul and ended up with a bigger mess than when I started.

Here’s what’s worked best for me (after a lot of trial and error):

- Shower collection tray: Instead of a standard bucket, I use a shallow, wide plastic tray (like one meant for under washing machines). It sits flat, so water naturally pools there instead of around your feet, and it’s easier to lift out without sloshing everywhere.
- Flexible tub or trug: Those soft-sided tubs with handles are surprisingly good in tight spaces. You can bend them a bit to fit under the stream and they’re way lighter to carry.
- Squeegee assist: After the shower, I run a squeegee along the floor toward my collection bucket. It’s not perfect, but it definitely cuts down on wasted water pooling where you don’t want it.
- Strategic placement: If you can, angle your shower curtain/door so water runs straight into your collection vessel. Sounds obvious but makes a difference.

Honestly, aesthetics are the least of my worries when I’m trying not to flood the bathroom. That said, if anyone ever invents a bucket that looks good and actually works, sign me up...

It took me a while to stop caring about how these setups look - at this point, saving the water (and my back) is way more satisfying than matching my soap dispenser. Function over form wins every time.

Keep at it - it gets less awkward the more you tweak your system. And hey, at least we’re not just letting all that water go down the drain.

Totally relate to the “designer” bucket disasters - been there, mopping up the aftermath more than once. I tried one of those fancy metal pails because it looked cute in the bathroom, but the handle was so thin it dug into my hand, and the thing was impossible to pour without splashing everywhere. Gave up on that real quick.

I’ve landed on a similar system to yours, actually. Those flexible trugs are a game changer, especially if you’ve got a weirdly shaped shower stall. I even cut a notch in one side of mine so it sits flush against the wall, which helps catch more water before it escapes down the drain. Not pretty, but it works.

One thing I started doing is keeping an old towel on the floor outside the shower, just in case I spill while hauling the water out. Saves me from having to mop up every time, and it’s less stressful if I’m in a rush. I also use the collected water for flushing the toilet or watering the garden - never realized how much I was wasting until I started paying attention.

I do get the appeal of wanting things to look nice, but honestly, after a few weeks of saving water, the practical side wins out. The only thing I’d add is to check your shower tray or tub for any sharp edges before using a flexible tub - learned that the hard way when I tore a hole in one and didn’t notice until it leaked all over the hallway. Live and learn.

Funny how something as simple as a bucket can turn into a whole science experiment. But yeah, once you get a system down, it stops feeling awkward and just becomes part of the routine. And hey, every bit of water saved feels like a small win.

You nailed it - function over form wins every time, especially when you’re dealing with daily routines. I’ve seen so many tenants try those “aesthetic” solutions and end up frustrated. The towel trick is underrated, honestly. And yeah, sharp edges are sneaky... I’ve had to patch a few floors thanks to unnoticed leaks. It’s surprising how quickly these little habits add up, both for your water bill and the environment.

I hear you on the towel trick - simple, cheap, and it just works. I tried a bunch of those “eco” shower heads that promise to save water but honestly, some of them just made my showers miserable. Ended up going back to a basic low-flow model that actually had decent pressure. Sometimes the fancy stuff is more hassle than it’s worth.

One thing that surprised me was how much water I was wasting just waiting for it to heat up. I started keeping a bucket in the shower to catch the cold water and use it for plants or cleaning. It’s not glamorous, but it adds up over time. My water bill dropped by about $10 a month after making a few tweaks like that.

Leaks are sneaky too - had one under the bathroom sink that I didn’t notice for weeks. By the time I caught it, the cabinet floor was warped. Now I check under there every couple weeks, just in case. Little habits really do make a difference, even if they’re not Instagram-worthy.

Yeah, it’s the little things that really add up over time. I’ve seen tenants do the bucket trick and it honestly makes a difference, especially in older buildings where the pipes take forever to warm up. You’re right about those “eco” shower heads too - some of them are just not worth the trouble. I’ve swapped out a few after complaints about weak pressure or weird spray patterns.

Leaks under sinks are sneaky for sure. Had one unit where nobody noticed a slow drip until the cabinet was basically ruined. Now I tell folks to check every so often, just like you’re doing. It’s not flashy, but it saves a lot of hassle (and money) down the line.

Funny how the boring habits end up being the most useful, huh? Doesn’t look cool on social media, but your wallet notices.

Yeah, I’ve seen the bucket trick work too - funny how something that simple can make such a difference.

“Leaks under sinks are sneaky for sure. Had one unit where nobody noticed a slow drip until the cabinet was basically ruined.”

- Water sensors under sinks? Mixed feelings, honestly. They sound good in theory, but I’ve seen plenty of them go off from someone splashing or a bit of condensation. Next thing you know, someone’s freaking out over a “flood” that’s just a wet sponge left behind.
- On the other hand, those sneaky leaks from old supply lines are the real deal. Had a call last month - kitchen sink, original lines from the 90s, looked okay but were brittle as dry spaghetti. Customer swore there was no leak, but the bottom of the cabinet was mush.
- I actually prefer the old-school approach: check supply lines every couple years, swap them out before they start “crying.” Stainless braided ones aren’t that expensive and last longer than the plastic stuff.
- Water sensors might help if you’re super forgetful or have rental properties, but I wouldn’t trust them alone. Batteries die, sensors get knocked loose… Murphy’s Law applies.
- If you want peace of mind, combine the sensor with regular checks. Or just make a habit of glancing under the sink when you grab the dish soap.
- Funny thing, the big dramatic floods are rare. It’s always the slow, silent ones that rot your cabinets and make your plumber rich.
- Side note: saving water in the shower - nice work. I always tell folks, fixing those tiny leaks under sinks saves more water (and headaches) than you think.

Anyway, if you’re gadget-happy, try a sensor, but don’t toss your flashlight and common sense just yet.

I hear you on those slow leaks - lost a cabinet bottom to one a few years back. Sensors seem cool, but I’d probably just forget to change the batteries and end up with a false sense of security. I do like the braided lines, though. They’re cheap insurance if you ask me. I’ve started checking under the sinks whenever I’m looking for cleaning supplies...caught a drip last month before it got ugly.

I get what you’re saying about the sensors, but honestly, I’ve had one under my kitchen sink for a couple years now and the battery’s still going strong. Maybe I just got lucky? I hear you on the false sense of security, though - nothing beats actually looking under there once in a while. Braided lines are solid, but I still worry about the shutoff valves themselves. Had one seize up on me when I needed it most...that was a fun afternoon.

Yeah, those shutoff valves are the real wild cards, aren’t they? I’ve seen more than a few that decided to retire early - usually right when you need them most. I always tell folks, give those valves a little twist every few months just to keep ‘em limber. It’s like yoga for your plumbing.

Sensors are handy, but I wouldn’t trust them to do all the heavy lifting. Batteries last longer than you’d think, but when they go, they really go... and usually at 2am during a thunderstorm, if my luck’s anything to go by. Braided lines are a solid upgrade, though. I’ve swapped out enough old rubber ones to know they’re worth the few extra bucks.

Honestly, nothing beats a quick peek under the sink now and then. If you spot a drip before it becomes a waterfall, you’re already ahead of the game.

It’s wild how something as tiny as a drip can sneak up on you, right? I started doing a monthly “under the sink safari” - just a flashlight and a suspicious look at every pipe. Found a slow leak once that had probably been there since the Clinton administration. Speaking of sneaky water wasters, has anyone tried those low-flow showerheads? I swapped mine out last year and honestly, didn’t even notice much difference, except my water bill quit giving me heartburn. Curious if folks here felt the same or if I just lucked out with a good model...

Swapped to a low-flow showerhead last winter after my kid started taking “epic” showers. Didn’t tell anyone, just waited for the complaints... but nothing. Water bill dropped, nobody noticed. Only downside? Takes a bit longer to rinse shampoo, but I’ll take it.