The Best Homemade Weed Killer
Every gardener hates weeds. They are a pain to pick out one by one. It can be challenging work, depending on the size of your garden.
Making your weed killer at home might seem too good to be accurate, but it works just as well as store-bought weed killers.
You don't need to buy weed killers from the store. You can make your weed killers with things you have around the house. They will work just as well as store-bought weed killers. People have been using homemade weed killers for hundreds of years, and they work just as well.
Making your weed killers is that you know what is in them.
Table of Contents
1. Homemade vinegar weed killer
You can indeed use vinegar as a weed killer. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is effective in killing weeds. You can buy vinegar with different levels of acetic acid, but the most effective kind is 5% acetic acid in white vinegar.
What do you need for this weed killer?
- 5% White Vinegar
How to use:
You can pour vinegar directly onto weeds or put it in a spray bottle to reach them more efficiently.
Different types of weeds will die off at different speeds. A weed can die if you're trying to get rid of it. However, some weeds may take up to 14 days to break. If you are using this weed killer, we suggest waiting 21 days before reapplying.
Other Uses:
If you mix vinegar and water, you can use the mixture as a general-purpose household cleaner to eliminate ants in your home.
The vinegar mixture disrupts the trails of scent that the ants use to communicate with each other. It will stop them from coming into your home.
If you get 20% or higher vinegar in acid content on your skin, it can cause chemical burns. If it goes into your eyes, it can cause blindness.
2. Homemade salt and vinegar weed killer
It is the weed killer that I use all the time. It is made from 5% white vinegar.
This DIY weed killer recipe needs the following items:
- 1 L white vinegar
- three large spoons of salt
- three large scoops of washing-up liquid
- spray bottle
How to use:
Add vinegar and salt to a spray bottle. Shake the bottle until the salt dissolves. Add washing-up liquid and shake the bottle again.
This DIY recipe kills weeds and plants. It might also make your soil a bit acidic. Apply it on a dry day when the sun is shining before midday for the best results.
It is a weed killer that uses in the UK. It is also the best homemade weed killer because it kills all weeds.
If 20% or more acetic acid white vinegar comes into contact with your eyes, it can cause chemical burns and even blindness.
3. Salt as a Weed Killer
In Spain and Portugal before 1800, if someone were convicted of treason, their land would be salted so that nothing could grow. It would stop the traitor's family from being able to survive.
For this weed killer recipe, you need
- Two parts salt to 1 part water as the minimum effective ratio.
- Spray bottle
How to use:
In a spray bottle, combine the salt and water. Then spray the weeds or desired area. The weeds will die. You can also pour salt on the weeds, but this is not recommended.
Salt can be easily absorbed into the soil. If too much salt is absorbed, it can prevent plants from growing in that area for a long time. That's why it's essential to dilute salt with water if you're not using it on your patio, driveway, or garden path.
4. Baking Soda as a weed killer
This one is great for keeping your driveway, patio, or path clear of weeds and grasses.
What do you need for this homemade weed killer?
- Baking Soda
How to use:
Just sprinkle baking soda on the ground near where you see weeds.
You can even sweep it into the cracks between paving slabs.
Baking Soda will stop the growth of weeds.
If you are looking for baking soda, we recommend that you:
5. Borax as a Weed Killer
It is the same as above, but you use a different product. Please note that it is now illegal to sell Borax in the UK and Europe. You can purchase this substitute in the UK.
6. Boiling Water A 100% Natural Weed Killer
This weed killer is very effective and can kill any plant it touches.
What do you need?
- Boiling Water
How To Use:
You can get rid of weeds by boiling water and pouring it on them.
You may need to apply weed killer several times to get rid of the weeds you want. The weeds may come back after a while, but it will be more effective on small weeds and seedlings.
This weed killer is also safe for pets.
7. News Paper and Cardboard Weed Killer
Photosynthesis is what helps plants grow. If you block out sunlight, then the plants won't be able to photosynthesize, and they will die.
What do you need for this DIY homemade weed killer?
- Cardboard
- Newspaper
- You can use either one or both
How to use:
You can put cardboard over the weed or put down four sheets of newspaper over the area you want to treat.
This mulching method is like cardboard and newspaper. It will break down over time and help the ground become healthy.
If the first layer of cardboard or newspaper breaks down, you will need to put it on another layer.
8. Bleach Homemade Weed Killer
Bleach is not just for cleaning anymore! It can also be used to quickly and effectively eradicate weeds.
What do you need for this homemade weed killer?
- Bleach
- Spray Bottle
How to use:
Just add some bleach to a spray bottle, and you're ready to go. Bleach is very effective at killing weeds, but it's not a natural product. Bleach will kill anything it touches, so be careful when spraying around plants that you don't want to die.
Bleach is not a natural product. It is designed as a chemical cleaning agent. If it gets absorbed into the soil, it can prevent plants from growing there for a long time.
It is a weed killer that you can make at home.
Be Safe
Even though these are all homemade weed killers, it's essential to wear the proper protective gear when using them.
Some of the items above can cause:
- Cause skin irritations and allergic reactions
- Eye irritation or burns
- Digestive tract reactions or damage
To learn more information about how to make your own natural weed killer, click here.