Would You Pee in the Shower to Save Money?
Unconventional bathroom habits that slash your water bill: from peeing in the shower to reusing gray water for big savings.
Imagine stepping into a warm shower, letting the water cascade over you, and handling your morning business without an extra trip to the toilet. Sounds unconventional? It might just be a genius hack for slashing your water bill. With average U.S. households flushing away 24% of their water usage through toilets alone, every gallon counts in today’s rising utility costs. This article dives into the math, science, and real-world examples of peeing in the shower—and other bathroom frugality extremes—to see if they deliver real savings.
The Water Waste Crisis in Your Bathroom
Your bathroom is a money pit disguised as a necessity. Toilets account for nearly 30% of indoor water use in homes, equating to about 200 gallons per person daily when including showers and sinks. At national average rates of $2-$5 per 1,000 gallons for water plus sewer fees, that’s $200-$500 flushed yearly per household. Showers add another 17%, with warm-up waste alone wasting 1-2 gallons per use. Enter extreme measures like peeing in the shower: by combining hygiene routines, you skip one flush (1.6-3 gallons for modern toilets), potentially saving 5-10 gallons weekly per person.
But does it work? Environmentally, urine is sterile post-bladder and diluted in shower flow, posing no health risk beyond slippery floors. Financially, for a family of four showering daily, that’s 1,300+ gallons saved yearly—$10-$20 in bills. Critics cite hygiene qualms, but proponents like extreme cheapskaters prove it’s viable with proper cleanup.
Peeing in the Shower: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s crunch the numbers. A standard toilet flush uses 1.6 gallons (post-1994 mandates), but older models guzzle 3-5. Peeing in the shower eliminates 4-6 flushes daily (average urination frequency). For one person: 6.4-9.6 gallons saved daily, or 2,336-3,504 gallons yearly. At $4/HCF ($3.59 sewer + $1.41 water avg.), savings hit $15-$25/person.
- Daily Impact: Skip 5 flushes = 8 gallons saved.
- Weekly: 56 gallons ($0.30-$0.50).
- Yearly per Person: 2,920 gallons ($15-$30).
- Family of 4: $60-$120 annual cut.
Real-world proof? Extreme cheapskaters on TLC repurpose shower water for dishes and plants, dropping bills from $30 to $20 monthly by avoiding flushes. One family shares a single tub daily (25 gallons reused among four), saving 75 gallons/day vs. separate showers.
Low-Flow Toilet Hacks: $45/Year Without Extreme Measures
Not ready for shower peeing? Start simple. Fill cycle diverters ($3) and tank bags ($2) reduce per-flush water by 1.3 gallons. For a family of four (20 flushes/day), that’s 26 gallons daily saved—9,490 gallons yearly, or $45.55 at $3.59/HCF sewer rates.
| Method | Cost | Gallons Saved/Flush | Yearly Savings (Family of 4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fill Cycle Diverter | $3 | 0.5 | $18 |
| Tank Water Bag | $2 | 0.8 | $27 |
| Combined | $5 | 1.3 | $45 |
These pay back in weeks and require zero lifestyle change. Install by placing the bag in the tank or clipping the diverter to the fill tube—DIY in 5 minutes.
Flush Less Often: The ‘If It’s Yellow’ Rule
For the bold, skip flushing urine. Average family flushes 20 times/day; halving urine flushes (10x) saves 16 gallons daily, 5,840 yearly ($28). Full adherence: 17,245 gallons ($82/year). Keep seats down, flush every other time, or post-solids only. Pro tip: Monitor TP to avoid clogs—plunger essential.
- Pros: Zero cost, immediate impact.
- Cons: Odor buildup, guest awkwardness.
- Savings Scale: Partial (every other): $40/year; Full: $82/year.
Extreme version: Pee in bottles for compost, slashing bills further as seen in TLC clips where one user dropped $10/month.
Reuse Shower Warm-Up Water: Double Savings
Shower startup wastes 3.5 gallons/minute. Bucket it (1-2 mins = 3.5-7 gallons), pour into toilet tank post-flush to refill without tap water. Seven showers/week: 1,274 gallons reused + 1,274 flush savings = 2,548 gallons ($16 in San Diego rates: $9.91 water + $6.11 sewer).
Bucket costs $0-$5; collapsible for storage. Safety: Keep from kids (drowning risk).
Extreme Cheapskate Bathrooms: Beyond the Basics
TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates take it further:
- Shared Tub Water: Family of 4 reuses 25-gallon bath sequentially—saves 75 gallons/day.
- Navy Showers: Wet off, soap, rinse—cuts usage 50%.
- TP Alternatives: Ration to 40 rolls/year; wash/reuse cloths or use newsprint.
- Urine Bottles: Compost or dilute for plants; one saver halved flushes.
- Water Cleansing: Bidet-style bottle rinses—no TP needed.
Another: Gym showers + pee bottles for zero home water use.
Health, Hygiene, and Legal Considerations
Peeing in shower? Urine is 95% water, sterile if not held long. Dilutes instantly; rinse well. Flush-less risks bacteria if unclean—ventilate, clean weekly. Gray water reuse legal in most U.S. states for toilets (not drinking). EPA notes low-flow cuts national use 30% without extremes.
Other Bathroom Bill Busters
- Low-flow showerheads: 1.5-2 GPM vs. 5.5—saves $50/year.
- Leak fixes: Dripping faucets waste 3,000 gallons/year.
- Shorten showers: 5 mins = 10 gallons saved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does peeing in the shower save money?
Yes, it skips 4-6 flushes daily (6-18 gallons), saving $15-$30/person yearly on water/sewer.
Is it hygienic to not flush urine?
For occasional use, yes—urine odor fades quickly. Clean regularly to prevent buildup.
How much does a toilet flush cost?
1.6 gallons at $4/HCF = $0.008/flush; 20/day = $0.17 daily ($60/year).
Can I reuse shower water legally?
Most states allow for non-potable uses like toilets; check local codes.
What’s the cheapest toilet water saver?
Flush less + diverter/bag combo: $45/year, $5 upfront.
Final Thoughts: Worth the Weirdness?
Peeing in the shower isn’t for everyone, but combined with low-flow hacks and reuse, families save $125+ yearly. Start small—try a bucket tomorrow. Your wallet (and planet) will thank you.
References
- How to Save Water With Your Toilet: Lower Your Bills by $125/Year — The Penny Hoarder. 2023. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/how-to-save-water-and-money-with-your-toilet/
- These People Will Do ANYTHING To Save Money | TLC — TLC/YouTube. 2023-04-20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgkknveDz3s
- Peeing in a Bottle and 8 Other Crazy Ways People Save Money — The Penny Hoarder. 2023. https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/reuse-dental-floss-9-weirdest-things-people-save-money/
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