The classic 3-ingredient weedkiller
You’ll need:
- 4 litres white vinegar
- 1 cup table salt
- 1 tablespoon eco-friendly dish washing liquid
Mix everything together and pour it into a spray bottle. On a sunny day, spray directly onto weeds (avoid spraying your actual lawn or garden plants – it’s not picky about what it kills!). The vinegar and salt dry the plant out, while the dish washing liquid helps the solution stick to the leaves.
It’s best for:
- Driveways
- Footpaths
- Gravelled areas
- Isolated weeds in the garden
Lemon juice
Lemon juice isn't just great for cooking – it’s also a natural acid that can knock out small weeds.
Try this mix:
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 4 litres white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon eco-friendly dishwashing liquid
This version adds an extra acidic punch to help break down weed cell walls. Spray it on sunny days and target smaller weeds or new growth for best results.
Boiling water
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best. If you’re after a chemical-free method that doesn’t even require a recipe, just boil a kettle.
Carefully pour boiling water directly onto the weed. It’ll scald the plant, damaging the leaves and stem almost instantly.
Best for:
- Weeds pushing through cracks in paving
- Edges of driveways
- Hard-to-reach weeds
Tip: Add a tablespoon of salt to the water for an extra kick (but pour it from a separate container – not the kettle, to avoid corrosion).
Sodium bi-carb
Sodium bi-carb is a handy household staple – and surprisingly effective against weeds.
Sprinkle it directly on weeds growing in pavement cracks or along paths. It draws moisture from the plant, causing it to dry out.
Spray version
Mix 1½ cups of sodium bicarb with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 4 litres of water. Apply to weeds using a spray bottle. Just be cautious around other plants – it doesn’t discriminate!
Epsom salts, vinegar and dishwashing liquid
This one’s a strong combo for tough weeds.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Epsom salts
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon eco-friendly dishwashing liquid
Spray generously on a sunny day for best results. Just keep it far from your lawn or garden beds – it will kill pretty much anything green.
Extra tip: For better control, use a paintbrush to apply the solution directly to the leaves of problem weeds.
Don't forget prevention!
Killing weeds is only half the job. The real magic is stopping them from coming back. Here are a few natural, non-toxic ways to keep weeds from taking over again:
- Mulch it up: Add a thick layer (about 10 cm) of organic mulch like bark or straw around your plants to block sunlight from reaching weed seeds.
- Use weed matting to prevent creeping weeds from spreading underground.
- Create garden edging: Define lawn borders with timber or metal to stop grass and weeds creeping into garden beds.
- Stay on top of hand-weeding: It’s old-school, but pulling weeds early – before they flower or seed – keeps things manageable.
The final word
You don’t need harsh chemicals to win the war on weeds. With a few pantry staples and some clever tactics, you can protect your garden, save money and be kind to the environment.
