You can make a DIY weed killer by combining vinegar, salt, and dish soap in a spray bottle. Read our guide for more effective natural weed killer recipes.

Weeds steal water and nutrients from desired plants, ruin your landscape, and pose a danger to the structural integrity of your home. Many commercial weed killers are readily available in nearby stores, but they aren’t always safe and can cause health issues and harm the environment.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to make do-it-yourself (DIY) weed killers that can save your garden, how to apply these treatments safely, and what steps to take to avoid weeds in the future.

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DIY Weed Killer Recipes

The main benefit of a DIY weed killer is its natural ingredients, so it’s typically safer and more environmentally friendly than buying over-the-counter herbicides. DIY weed killers can be just as effective as harsh chemicals, and you can use many of them with children and pets around.

Vinegar, Salt, and Dish Soap Solution

A simple vinegar, salt, and dish soap solution is one of the best weed killers for your lawn, and you likely have all the necessary ingredients in your kitchen.

Materials:

• 1 cup of table salt
• 1 gallon of white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of liquid Dawn dish soap
• Garden sprayer
• Large container
• Spray bottle

Mix 1 gallon of white vinegar with 1 cup of salt in a large container to prepare the solution. Stir the mixture until the salt dissolves fully. Then, add 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid to the solution and stir gently. Pour the weed killer into a spray bottle.

Spray the solution directly on the weeds. The goal is to cover leaves, stems, and soil around the undesirable plant. Be careful not to spray any nearby plants, flower beds, or vegetable gardens.

This solution kills annual weeds, such as crabgrass, dandelions, and young perennial plants. The acetic acid in household vinegar disrupts the plant’s cell structure, while the salt dehydrates the weed. Dish soap keeps the solution from dripping off the plant.

Essential Oil and Vinegar Solution

Our second-best weed killer requires even fewer materials. It can help you fight unwanted garden invaders without causing health issues for your family.

Materials:

• 1/8 gallon of water
• 1/8 gallon of white vinegar
• 10 drops of essential oils (clove, peppermint, or tea tree)
• Spray bottle

To make this vinegar weed killer, pour the white vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Add the essential oil to the mixture and shake the bottle to distribute the oil evenly.

Spray when the weather is sunny. Otherwise, rain and other inclement weather can wash your natural weed killer away. Spray the solution directly on the harmful weeds, targeting leaves and stems.

Essential oils contain compounds that can effectively kill weeds, while vinegar acts as a carrier for these oils, helping them penetrate the weeds’ surfaces. This solution works well for smaller, less established weeds.

Citrus Oil Solution

Some oils can be highly effective in killing weeds without vinegar.

Materials:

• 1 cup of citrus oil (or lemon juice)
• 2 cups of water
• Sprayer

To prepare the solution, pour the citrus oil and water into a spray bottle. If you don’t have citrus oil, you can use natural lemon juice. Shake the bottle hard to mix the ingredients.

Spray the solution directly onto the weeds. Make sure you get all the leaves and stems while avoiding nearby plants.

Citrus oil contains d-limonene, which is effective in breaking down the waxy coating on weed leaves. When the coating breaks down, the plant becomes dehydrated and eventually dies. This solution works well for various weeds, including broadleaf and grassy weeds.

Rubbing Alcohol Solution

A small amount of rubbing alcohol can damage weeds. However, you must be careful when working with this ingredient, as ingesting it can be dangerous.

Materials:

• 1/2 quart of water
• 2 tablespoons of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
• Sprayer

To prepare the solution, add the rubbing alcohol to the water and mix vigorously. Then, pour the mixture into a spray bottle.

Put on gloves and goggles to make sure you don’t get any alcohol on your skin and eyes. Spray the rubbing alcohol solution on the targeted weeds.

Rubbing alcohol dehydrates weeds by breaking down their cell walls. This solution works best on young weeds. You may need to apply it several times for larger or more established weeds.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has a huge number of uses, including herbicidal applications.

Materials:

• 1 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• 2 cups of warm water
• Spray bottle

To prepare the weed killer, mix the warm water with the baking soda until the baking soda dissolves fully. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the weed stems and leaves.

Baking soda disrupts the pH balance of the weed leaves, causing them to dry out and die. The baking soda method is most effective on small, annual garden weeds. You may need multiple applications if you have a lawn full of weeds.

Boiling Water

One of the safest homemade weed killers is boiling water. Be careful when handling boiling water, and ensure that kids and pets aren’t around. Bring water to a boil in a kettle or pot for this solution. Then, carefully pour this water on the weeds, covering all the leaves and stems.

This nontoxic and eco-friendly method is highly effective for weeds that grow in sidewalk cracks or gravel driveways. Boiling water kills weeds by causing the plant cells to burst from the extreme heat. However, persistent weeds may not die from just one application.

Corn Gluten Meal

Corn gluten meal is a natural byproduct of the corn milling process. This yellowish powder contains high protein levels and is often used as animal feed. Sprinkle an even layer of corn gluten meal over the soil where weeds are present. Water the area lightly to help the corn gluten meal settle into the soil.

Corn gluten meal inhibits the root development of germinating weed seeds. When applied to the soil, it creates a barrier that suppresses the growth of weed seedlings.

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Application and Safety

Applying your DIY weed killer correctly and safely is key to achieving top results. Below are some best practices for weed killer application.

Choose the Right Time

Apply DIY weed killers on a dry and sunny day. Ideally, it shouldn’t rain within 24 hours after application since rain can wash away the solution before it can work. Additionally, treat weeds during their active growing season. This can vary depending on the type of weed and your local climate.

Save Desired Plants

No matter how hard you try to keep the DIY weed killer on the weed, some of it may still come into contact with a plant you don’t want to hurt. Rinse the affected area with clean water to prevent other plants from suffering damage. For the next couple of days, monitor the affected plants for any signs of damage. If you notice wilting or discoloration, give the plant more water and trim the affected foliage.

Take Safety Measures

Wear appropriate protective gear, such as goggles, gloves, and long sleeves when applying weed killers. This can help you avoid skin irritation and accidental indigestion. Additionally, keep children and pets away from treated areas until the solution dries completely.

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Preventing Future Weed Growth

Take preventive weed control steps to keep them from returning. Below are a few tips to prevent future weed growth whether you opted for a professional lawn care service or treated the lawn yourself.

Fertilize Your Lawn

When fertilizing the lawn, use high-quality fertilizer designed specifically for your plants, such as a complete fertilizer with twice as much phosphorus as nitrogen or potassium. Look for a 10-20-10 or 12-24-12 fertilizer.

Lay Down Mulch

Mulch blocks the sunlight and prevents weed seeds from germinating. It also helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Apply a layer of organic mulch just before the growing season begins.

Select the Proper Plants

Choose well-adapted plants that align with your local climate and soil conditions. Proper plant selection will help them grow strong and resist weed competition. Make sure to fill bare spots on your property to prevent lawn weeds from accessing the soil. Dense planting and strategic spacing can also help shade the soil and reduce the opportunities for new weeds.

Use Landscape Fabric

Consider using landscape fabric or a weed barrier cloth beneath mulch in areas where garden weeds are particularly problematic. Landscape fabric prevents weed growth by blocking sunlight and providing a physical barrier to weed roots while still allowing water and air to penetrate the soil.

Water Your Lawn Regularly

Water your lawn abundantly to encourage deep root growth in your grass. This will make it more competitive against weeds.

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Our Conclusion

Commercial herbicides are often chemical-based and can cause harm to your health and the environment. Meanwhile, DIY weed killers contain natural ingredients, many of which you probably have in your kitchen pantry. Combining natural weed-killing tactics and weed prevention measures can help you enjoy a beautiful garden all season.

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FAQ About DIY Weed Killer

Will vinegar kill weeds permanently?

If applied the right way, vinegar has the potential to kill some of the younger weeds in your garden. Older plants may require multiple applications.

Is vinegar as good as Roundup?

Roundup can be more effective at killing weeds with one application, but vinegar is much safer for your health and friendlier to the environment.

Can DIY weed killers harm my lawn or garden plants?

DIY weed killers can harm your lawn or garden plants if you spray the solution directly onto them. To avoid damage, apply weed killers directly on the weed’s stems and leaves.

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