As the sun starts to shine and weeds begin to make their return to our gardens, many gardeners are turning to viral hacks to tackle the problem.
Among the most popular is a mixture of salt, vinegar, and washing-up liquid, which has gained widespread attention on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook.
While this quick-fix solution might seem appealing, experts are warning that it could cause long-term damage to your patio or driveway.
The recipe, which involves combining a gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt, and a dash of washing-up liquid, has been hailed by some as an effective way to kill weeds in just a couple of days.
“Within two days the weeds will die, and after a week sweep them up,” claimed one user in Mrs Hinch’s Cleaning Tips Facebook group.
With over 150,000 views, the popularity of this home remedy is undeniable. However, Trevor Knight, award-winning landscaper and expert at Marshalls, advises caution.
Knight warns that while the method may seem like an easy solution, it poses a significant risk to the integrity of your hard landscaping.
“On the surface, these hacks look great and are a quick fix to get rid of pesky weeds, of that there is no doubt; however, using salt and vinegar normally reserved for your fish and chip supper could be detrimental to the quality of many of the primary materials used to manufacture driveway and patio products,” he explained.
Salt, in particular, can cause serious issues, as “when it comes in contact with paving products, salt or sodium chloride can accelerate the breakdown, especially if the product has a porous mix design”, Knight cautioned.
“Salt gets into cracks, and when it absorbs moisture, the material expands and contracts, leading to cracking and degradation over time.”
The risk is even greater in the UK, where it rains frequently, as moisture can exacerbate the damage.
Salt can cause rust formation in any metal components beneath the surface, making the damage more far-reaching.
Vinegar, too, presents its own set of problems, as it’s acidic, and “many paving products, especially limestone, sandstone, or concrete, are susceptible to erosion when exposed to acidic compounds”, said Knight.
This can lead to the gradual breakdown of the material, leaving behind discolouration and unsightly stains that are difficult to remove.
“It has also been known to cause etching on some paving materials, which appears as full spots or large visible stained patches over time,” he added.
Knight suggested exploring other, safer alternatives such as boiling water, manual weeding, or carefully applying vinegar directly to the weeds can be more effective and less damaging.
There are also preventive measures like using corn gluten meal or polymeric sand, which help stop weeds from growing in the first place.
So, before you reach for that bottle of vinegar, consider the long-term and costly impact on your driveway or patio.
