Saving water in the shower actually worked for me

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.