We all know we should be saving water – but let’s be honest, it’s easy to lose track of time in the shower. One minute you're rinsing your hair, the next you're halfway through a full concert in your head. 

A simple, fun solution?  
Use your favourite four‑minute song as your shower timer.

Why four minutes matters
A typical shower can use as much as 15 litres of water per minute. That means every extra minute counts. By keeping your shower to roughly four minutes, you can significantly reduce your daily water use – without dramatically changing your routine.

Make it effortless (and enjoyable)
Instead of watching the clock, just hit play on a song you love that lasts around four minutes. When the music ends, your shower should too. It’s easy, memorable and adds fun into the daily routine.

Here’s how it works: 

• Pick a song you never skip 
• Hit play as you step in 
• Shower like you’re on stage 
• When the song finishes, wrap it up 
• Take a bow as you get into your towel 

Build the habit
Once you start, it quickly becomes second nature. You’ll begin to associate finishing your shower with the end of the track – and before you know it, shorter showers feel normal.

Small change, big impact
If everyone cut just a few minutes off their daily shower, the water savings would add up fast. And unlike complicated lifestyle changes, this one is simple, free, and even a bit fun. 

So next time you step into the shower, press play on your favourite four‑minute hit – and let the music keep you (and your water use) in check. 

Here’s some inspiration through the last three and a half decades. Why not pick your favourite and share with other members of the household so they can pick theirs too! 

From the 2010s – 

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk (2014) (4:00) 

Bruno Mars – Locked Out of Heaven (2012) (3:53) 

Imagine Dragons – Radioactive (2012) (3:53)

Pharrell Williams – Happy (2013) (3:53) 

Maroon 5 – “Sugar” (2014) — (3:56)

 

From the Noughties –

Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z – Crazy in Love (2003) (3:56) 

Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out (2004) (3:59) 

Keane – Somewhere Only We Know (2004) (3:57) 

Dido – White Flag (2003) (4:00) 

The Fray – Over My Head (Cable Car) (2005) (3:56) 

 

From the 1990s – 

Radiohead – Creep (1992) (3:58)

Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise (1995) (4:00)

2Pac ft. Dr. Dre – California Love (1995) (3:54) 

Cher – Believe (1998) (3:59) 

Deee-Lite – Groove Is in the Heart (1990) (3:52)