The majority of soaker hoses are made from recycled rubber, typically 65% post-consumer content. In addition, soaker hoses use up to 70% less water than conventional watering techniques such as using a water sprinkler, watering can, or spray nozzle on a regular garden hose.
A soaker hose is sometimes referred to as perforated tubing because of the numerous holes or perforations along the length of the hose. Soaker hoses differ from a conventional garden hoses in two ways. First, conventional garden hoses are, for durability purposes, typically made from a vinyl material and not rubber. Second, as water flows along the length of a soaker hose it seeps out through the perforations irrigating the plants and soil.
As well as being an environmentally friendly product, a soaker hose has several advantages over other watering methods. The rubber material it is made from makes it quite flexible and easy to maneuver them in and around the garden. Water is more evenly distributed, which prevents over-watering from occurring in one area and under-watering in another. Too much water is one of the reasons why mildew and fungi are a problem in some gardens. In addition, if the soil is very dry, water is more likely to percolate into the ground instead of running off, all of which makes a soaker hose a more efficient watering system.