A shower beats a bath energy-wise and water-wise, but a sponge bath beats both, using only a fraction the hot water. (On hot summer days, you can save even more by using the cold tap.) So swop your bath or shower occasionally for a sponge-down when you need a quick freshen-up. It's perfectly hygienic; after all, it's how hospital patients wash. Just make sure you keep your sponge or wash-cloth clean!

- Olivia Rose-Innes, EnviroHealth Editor, July 2011, Health24
Got a great green tip you'd like to contribute? Please email me.

More EnviroHealth tips
Post a question on the EnviroHealth Expert forum