Once, I was standing at the kitchen door, the words I wanted to say stuck in my throat. My mother was pouring rice-washing water down the drain, while to me, that water felt like a “treasure.” I finally blurted out, “Mom, don’t pour it away—keep it, it can still be used!” She looked at me in confusion. “Used for what? It’ll turn sour in no time.”

In the past, I probably thought the same way. But my thinking completely changed after a pothos plant on my balcony nearly died.

A Bowl of Rice-Washing Water That Saved a Plant

This pothos was a gift from a friend. When I first brought it home, its leaves were lush, green, and full of life. But after two months of care, the new leaves grew thin and yellow, drooping lifelessly.

One day, a neighbor noticed and suggested, “Try using rice-washing water—it’s even better than fertilizer.”

The next day, while washing rice, I collected the water for the first time and poured it directly onto the plant. Three days later, a layer of white mold appeared on the soil, and the leaves turned even more yellow.

Panicking, I took photos and sent them to my cousin, who studies horticulture. She immediately called me and said, “Fresh rice-washing water has to be fermented before use. Watering directly like that will burn the roots.”

That evening, I hurriedly changed the soil and washed the roots, working until after 10 p.m. My cousin guided me step by step over video call: pour the rice-washing water into an empty mineral water bottle, leave it on the balcony for about two weeks, and when it gives off a mild sour smell, dilute it with clean water before using it to water plants.

The whole rescue process made me curious: could the water I had poured away every day really be that useful?

Five Wonderful Uses of Rice-Washing Water

From then on, I started seriously reusing rice-washing water and gradually discovered five extremely practical uses in daily life.

Cuts Grease When Washing Dishes

One weekend, when I ran out of dishwashing liquid, I had no choice but to wash dishes with rice-washing water. To my surprise, once I rinsed with hot water, the grease slid right off. Since then, I usually soak dishes in rice-washing water first, using dish soap only for heavily greasy pots and pans. It saves money and reduces rinsing time.

Washing Vegetables and Soaking Fruit for Peace of Mind

Rice-washing water is especially effective for washing grapes. After soaking separated grapes for about 10 minutes, you’ll see tiny impurities floating on the surface. While it doesn’t completely replace specialized cleaners, it serves as a reassuring first step.

Cleaning Wooden Furniture Naturally

The TV cabinet in my home has a matte finish, and commercial cleaners often make it overly shiny. When I wipe it with a soft cloth soaked in rice-washing water, dust and dirt are removed while the original texture remains intact, looking natural and pleasant.

Watering Plants—Only After Fermentation

After the lesson with my pothos, I always keep a few bottles of fermenting rice-washing water on the balcony. Once diluted and used for watering, the leaves become noticeably greener and smoother. But dilution is absolutely essential—a lesson I will never forget.

Removing Odors Effectively

Cutting boards used for a long time often develop unpleasant smells. Soaking them in rice-washing water for a while, then scrubbing with salt, significantly reduces odors.

The Most Valuable Change: My Mother

What makes me happiest isn’t how much money I save, but the change in my mother’s mindset.

At first, she thought I was exaggerating. But one time, when she visited and saw me using rice-washing water to clean limescale from the faucet, she fell silent. The next time she came over, I noticed she had started collecting rice-washing water herself.

Just the other day, she proudly said, “Your dad’s jasmine plant—after using rice-washing water, it’s producing far more buds.”

That change made me realize that many positive things in life don’t require excessive explanation. When you do the right thing, the people around you will naturally notice—and follow.