Saving Water: Installing an Aerator

Apartment living in New York often means living with very old fixtures. If you have an old kitchen faucet, whether you plan to replace it or have no control to do so, there is something you can do now to make your kitchen a lean, green, water-saving machine: install an aerator in the kitchen faucet.

An aerator is a small metal or plastic cylinder that fits inside the end of your faucet and spreads the stream of water, which creates a steady spray rather than a pour. This causes less water to feel like more and reduces splashing.

Old faucet without aerator

Old faucet retrofitted with an aerator

The latest faucet models come with an integral aerator to set the water flow rate. Those that don't, especially if they are older models, are likely using a huge amount of water - up to about 5 gallons a minute! Installing a 1.0 gallon per minute (gpm) aerator will cut that water use by over 60% without a perceivable difference. Unless your faucet splashes, in which case you might notice no longer getting wet.

To start saving water today, you will need an aerator and hands (just one will do.) Universal aerators (which should fit most faucets) cost less than $3 and take about 3 seconds to install.

DIY Fabric Shades

Fabric shades work for any decor style, and are a great way to add warmth and color to a room. But no matter how you slice it, fabric shades are expensive - even the cheapest are 3 to 4 times the cost of vinyl blinds. Here is a great way to turn traditional vinyl blinds into a roman shade at a fraction of the cost. 

You will need: 

-Traditional vinyl blinds

-Fabric* 

-Plastic rings

-Scissors

-Needle and thread

-All purpose or fabric glue

-Tape measure or ruler

*To get the size of fabric you will need for each shade, measure the size of your window and add 4 inches to the width and 6 inches to the length. I used a lightweight linen so that the light could filter through it as much as possible, as my room is quite dark. The light weight results in a very casual shade, with the sides hanging loose. If you are looking for more privacy or a more structured look, you can use a heavier weight fabric or sew a cotton layer behind your face fabric.

How to Save Water: Replacing a Shower Head

The hardest part of replacing a shower head is choosing among the various options for a new one. Once that's done, replacing the fixture takes about 10 minutes. If you're a renter, you can keep the old one and swap it back when you leave, taking your water-efficient new shower head with you.

You will need:
-A new shower head
-Plumber's tape (also referred to as Teflon tape)
-Pliers or a wrench
-A rag

1. Use the pliers or wrench to loosen and unscrew the shower head from the pipe that leads into the wall. If you plan on saving the old shower head, place a rag between the fixture and the pliers to keep from scratching it.
2. Clean off any old tape or dirt on the threaded end of the pipe and wrap some new plumber's tape around the threaded end of the flange. Apply several layers clockwise and wrap it tightly, making sure it gets pressed into the grooves of the threading. This will prevent leaks between the pipe and the fixture.
3. Screw on the new shower head (no need to use the wrench or pliers)
4. Turn the shower on to make sure there are no leaks. Tighten the shower head or reapply plumber's tape if needed.

Saving Lamps

When I moved into my apartment, I was desperately lacking in light sources and my mother graciously donated an antique lamp that had been sitting in my parents' garage. My plan at first was to make it white and glossy to emulate the Jonathan Adler Capri lamp, but after noticing the frayed cord, I decided to rewire it as well. 

For anyone as petrified of rewiring lamps as I was: don't be scared! It's a piece of cake, it's cheap and it doesn't require any tools. A standard lamp kit costs about $11 and comes with everything you need, including simple directions. Lamp kits are available with or without the harp (the curved piece that holds a lamp shade up if the lamp shade has spokes that meet at the top of the shade). You may not need the harp, as many lamp shades such as the ones sold at Ikea and Target attach at the base of the socket.