The most effective homemade option is a mixture of white vinegar, salt, and liquid dish soap. Each of these ingredients has special properties that combine to kill weeds. Both the salt and the vinegar contain acetic acid, which serves to dry out and kill the plants.
Vinegar kills weeds quickly—usually within 24 hours—but does not discriminate between the weeds you want to kill and the plants you want to grow, so apply the vinegar carefully and in the right conditions.
The best way to kill the existing lawn and weeds is to apply a nonselective herbicide, such as glyphosate, over the entire area. Glyphosate is a postemergence translocated herbicide that effectively kills turf and grassy and broadleaf weeds. Glyphosate is translocated rapidly in all actively growing plants.
Yes, it's true… vinegar does kill weeds, especially when used along with dish soap. Dish soap, vinegar and a spray bottle are all you need for making your own weed killer. The acetic acid in vinegar “sucks out the water” from the weed, which dries it up.
Yes, vinegar has the ability to help control weeds, which can be a win-win if you're looking for products that are less harsh on the environment than many synthetic herbicides. However, you wouldn't want to use this acidic liquid in all areas of your landscape because it could damage any plant it touches.
When equal amounts were given orally and compared, it took less acetic acid to kill rats in the laboratory test that it did glyphosate. The acetic acid in even household vinegar was MORE toxic than Roundup!
Using Bleach to Kill Weeds Permanently
Apply one cup of bleach, undiluted, to the afflicted area. Wait until the weeds turn brown before pulling them out of the ground. Run water around the area to flush the bleach, especially if you are trying to grow plants or grass in that area.
White Vinegar:
For it to work, you have to wait for the vinegar to sit in the weeds from your garden for a few days. The vinegar will kill the weed's roots.
Weed Killer for Areas Never to Grow Again
To kill all vegetation in walkways, driveways and other areas where you don't want any living thing to grow again, mix two cups ordinary table salt with one gallon of white vinegar. Do this in a container that is larger than one-gallon capacity so you have room for the salt.
A solution of vinegar, salt and dish soap can be a cheap and effective tool against weeds. A solution of vinegar, salt and dish soap can be a cheap and effective tool against weeds.
Combine four parts vinegar to one part water. Add about an ounce of dish soap to a gallon of the mixture. Mix well in a spray bottle or other container (if you are not spraying the mix).
Pouring boiling water on weeds can be used especially in situations where other plants are not nearby, such as in cracks in patios or sidewalks. Boiling water will act as a contact "herbicide", killing only the portion of the plant it comes in contact with. It is most effective on young, newly emerged weeds.
Table Salt - Using salt to kill weeds is a common do-it-yourself solution. When salt is absorbed by plant root systems, it disrupts the water balance and causes the weed to eventually wilt and die. But salt by itself doesn't make a very effective weed killer.
Killing Grass With Vinegar
Regular kitchen vinegar controls broadleaf weeds more effectively than grass and grassy weeds. The grass may initially die back, but it often quickly recovers. Killing grass with vinegar would entail respraying the grass clump or grassy weed every time it regrows until it's finally destroyed.
Salt: Spreading iodized salt on the gravel will kill weeds, but it will sterilize the ground for years to come, so use it sparingly. Boiling Water: Another way to kill weeds naturally is to pour boiling water over them. By Hand: If there aren't many weeds in your gravel, it's best to pull weeds out by hand.
They store nutrients in their roots and re-grow each year from the roots or seed. Hand-pulling is not as successful because perennials are often stimulated from root or stem disturbances. By hand-pulling, perennial weeds may be encouraged to grow bigger and stronger than before.
Even though store bought vinegar will work on small weed problems, horticultural is usually your best bet for long term control. Using horticultural vinegar will give you a stronger acidity, which kills weeds at a much faster and more thorough rate. You can find horticultural vinegar in concentrations of 15 to 45%.
In short, salt is an effective non-toxic herbicide. However, not all salt is created equal when it comes to weed control. Regular iodized or non-iodized table salt must be used. Check the package to ensure you are using sodium chloride, not magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts), rock salt, or sea salt.
Even though vinegar is an acid, it breaks down quickly in the soil and, therefore, is not likely to accumulate enough to affect soil pH for more than a few days. Vinegar causes a rapid burn to plant tissue of susceptible species, so unintended injury is quite likely without knowing more information.
Baking soda makes an incredible weed killer especially when it is mixed with other kitchen staples, like vinegar or lemon juice. Just dissolve 1 ½ cup of baking soda and a tablespoon or two of vinegar in a gallon of water. Transfer the concoction in a spray bottle and spritz away!
Simply boil the vinegar and apply or spray it on the same way to any stubborn weeds that may have gotten a real solid foot in the door. And this is a double-whammy as it gets rid of them permanently.