Weeds are the bane of every gardener’s existence. They seem to pop up in every tiny gap you might have between flowers and paving stones, and they will never completely die unless you use something that gets down to their roots so they can’t grow back.
Most gardeners want weeds out of their gardens because they compete with desirable plants for resources like water and sunlight. Because they grow quickly, weeds often hinder the growth of the flowers you actually want in your outdoor space.
Weeds can be good for the environment, however, as they are essential for pollinators like bees and butterflies and can help feed wildlife and other microorganisms. For this reason, many gardeners will leave one patch of their outdoor space unattended so they can reap the benefits of weeds without worrying about them interfering with their flowers.
But if you’ve got weeds you need to get rid of, there’s an easy way you can do it just by using some items you have in your home.
Gardener Joseph Clark shared the weed-killing formula on his TikTok account, where he said that while he likes to leave part of his garden to encourage weeds, he wants them removed from other areas.
He said: “Did you know you can make a simple DIY spray to help control unwanted weeds in your garden? I’m a big advocate for leaving parts of your garden overgrown for the local wildlife, but in other areas, such as patios and pathways, weeds can be a real nightmare.”
Joe began making his DIY mixture by getting an empty spray bottle and filling it with one litre of distilled vinegar, two teaspoons of salt, and half a teaspoon of dish soap.
He noted the measurements are “not an exact science” – and he often makes the mixture by eye rather than by measuring.
After putting the lid on and shaking the bottle, the weed killer is ready to use. Joe recommends only using the mixture on sunny days with little wind and on patio weeds, as spraying it onto flowerbeds could damage other plants.
He added: “I wouldn’t spray this on soil as it can impact future plants and alter the soil acidity, but on your patio weeds, go wild. This mixture essentially dehydrates the weed, which in turn can cause the foliage and sometimes the root to die back.”
In the caption of his video, he expanded: “Please only use this spray on days when the wind is not too strong, as it can blow onto and into places you do not want it, and please avoid using it near water or soil.
“This spray works really well, and as a result, will also kill the plants you want to keep alive if it accidentally ends up on them. I highly recommend using it on a sunny day as it dehydrates the plant quicker and better, giving you the best results.”
Joe also suggested pouring boiling water on weeds as an alternative solution, but noted that he’s had more success with killing the roots of his weeds when using the spray bottle method.
How to kill weeds
- Smothering: Cover the area with layers of newspaper or cardboard, then add mulch on top. This suffocates existing weeds and prevents new ones.
- Boiling water: Pour directly onto weeds.
- Vinegar: Mix white vinegar (5–20% acetic acid) with a few drops of dish soap and spray directly on weeds. Be careful – this can harm other plants and grass.
- Salt: Sprinkle a small amount at the base of weeds in cracks or driveways (avoid garden beds, as salt can harm soil health).