I didn't want to actually write this one up until we had done it for a week or two to try it out, as it always kind of sounded like a hassle. And the point of this is to make changes that aren't a major hassle. Well, lo and behold, it isn't. We've been saving our waiting-for-the-shower-to-get-hot water in the bucket and using it to flush the toilet. And it's working out just fine. We do have little ones, though, so we had to make sure the bucket had a tight fitting lid, and it does.
The other one is the diaper pail. We used a wet bucket for a long time... I think I just figured the nasty newborn mustard poop wouldn't come off if you left it in a dry bucket for a couple of days. Well, the mustard days are over, so I'm saving a half pail of water every load by doing a dry diaper pail. This was another one I wanted to try for a week or two before writing it up, just in case it made a big difference in the stink or stain factors, but it doesn't. Besides, I've already had the diapers on the line once (takes care of the stink & stains very well) - I'm optimistic that the line drying season is nigh! So the diapers are just as clean as before, and my conscience is a whole lot cleaner...
~ Lynn