Weeds can quickly overrun gardens if they’re left unchecked for a while. They often sprout between the stones of a gravel path or driveway, becoming a nuisance for gardeners.
Fortunately, a new solution has been revealed on social media with some gardeners hailing it a miracle weed killer. Some say the unusual product is a “better solution” than vinegar and gets rid of weeds “almost instantly”. The tip was shared by members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook.
As reported by the Mirror, one gardener asked on the group: “I’ve seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing. I have a gravel-covered drive and can’t seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths.
“Would they work on the drive or is there something better? There are no other plants in the vicinity and it’s not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future.”
While many suggested that white vinegar and salt would do the trick, others said that washing powder is the superior solution. Others online have raved about washing powder when it comes to tackling garden weeds.
One said: “I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me.” A second added: “I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water.”
A third claimed: “Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly.”
Washing powder, which contains boron, is toxic to plants so can be used as an effective week killer. Simply scatter it onto the gravel or patio gaps before pouring boiling water over it.
For those who don’t already have washing powder at home, it is available to buy from supermarkets for a minimum cost of £3. Meanwhile, you can buy a 6.5kg box of Surf for just £15 from Amazon.
Garden specialist Tom Clifford from Gardenstone previously advised Ideal Home: “Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it’s made from delicate stone.
“Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn’t harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds. In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers.”