(NC)-A new national survey conducted by Angus Reid Strategies on behalf of Purex Natural Elements laundry detergent shows that 91 per cent of Canadians believe that what you put down your drain has an impact on our environment. Yet, only 57 per cent of Canadians say they always think about what they are putting down their drains. Here are a few tips for getting your family to retrain their brains about down the drain etiquette:

. Post a sign above your workshop, garage, basement and laundry room sinks that says "Stop and think before you dump that down the drain."

. Ask yourself if you really need to run the water while brushing your teeth, rinsing off vegetables or dishes. Turning on the tap just as you need it, or filling the sink part way for rinsing will mean less wasted water down the drain.

. Make sure your taps are turned off tightly after use. Little drips become big money and water wasters.

. Don't throw that unused water boiled for tea down the drain; use it to water your plants instead.

. Same goes for partially used bottles of water; with kids and family get-togethers there always seems to be a half-filled bottle or two left over. Give it to the plants or fill the pet's water dish with it.

. Never use your toilet or sink as a garbage can. Don't dispose of dental floss, hair, cigarette butts, or paper tissues down the drain.

. Household cleaners, paints, solvents, pesticides and other chemical are especially harmful to the environment and our water systems. Dispose of them properly.

. Consider the type of soap, shower gel and laundry detergent you are using at the cottage or at home, especially if you are on a septic system. Look for brands that are flagged as septic-friendly. They tend to suds less, biodegrade easier and cause less stress on our lakes and streams.

. If you use a high-efficiency laundry machine, make sure you use an HE laundry detergent. This will ensure less water is used to rinse the clothes and means less wasted water is going down the drain.

. Learn to store and clean your paint brushes in an environmentally friendly manner. You can reuse you paint brush during your painting project by wrapping rollers and brushes in plastic bags to lock in the moisture overnight. Clean your brushes with non-toxic citrus-based cleaning lotions. Turpentine is also an environmentally friendly solvent made from the resin of coniferous trees. Pour some into a glass jar and then add a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Let brushes sit and then rinse off brushes in a clean container of water. Store used liquid in the jar labeled properly. The dirty paint will settle and you can pour off and reuse the clean liquid again. Dirty liquid should go to your local hazardous waste collection facility.

Have a water drain etiquette tip to share? Tell us at www.purexnaturalelements.ca.

- News Canada