Tired of weeds? Try out this cheap & easy DIY weed killer. It's easy to make from stuff you already have at home. Say goodbye to weeds for good with this small batch vinegar weed killer recipe
I hate trying to kill off weeds. It seems like I am forever out spraying them and the weed killer is expensive too.
So I was thrilled when my new neighbor introduced me to this DIY weed killer. Not only is it very frugal, but it also works great.
It only takes a few minutes to make up up this DIY weed killer with vinegar and dawn, you probably have everything you need at home.
I have a very large garden along the back of my house and weeds were constantly popping up through the mulch. It drove me crazy until I found this amazing DIY weed and grass killer.
After a few weeks of spraying down the weeds, I have them under control. The best part about this DIY week killer is that I am not worried about using this around my dogs. If you have pets this homemade weed killer is perfect!
Note: This also works as a homemade grass killer. So you only want to use it on your lawn if you want to kill off the grass too.
Homemade Weed Killer
To make this DIY weed killer you will need a few things.
- Vinegar
- Table Salt
- Dish Soap
- and a spray bottle
You will need vinegar, table salt, dish soap, and a spray bottle. I make a small batch of homemade weed killer using a small spray bottle. If you have a large number of weeds I would recommend double or tripling the batch and using a garden sprayer.
UPDATE: I switched over to the large garden sprayer and it is amazing for this homemade grass and weed killer! Just make sure you shake well before each use.
Start by pouring 1/2 teaspoon dish soap into your spray bottle. I use Dawn, but any brand will work. The dish soap will allow the salt and vinegar to cling to the weeds.
Next, add 2 tablespoons of table salt to the spray bottle. The salt acts as a drying agent in the homemade weed killer. It helps dry out the plant and kill it.
Finally, add 2 cups of vinegar to the spray bottle. Vinegar is an acid that will kill off the plant.
Shake the bottle up well until all the salt is dissolved. It's important to make sure the salt does dissolve. If not it may get clogged in your spray bottle.
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Using the DIY Weed Killer
Now you are ready to spray those weeds. I have found this DIY weed killer works best when you use it on a sunny day.
The sun helps really bake in the vinegar and salt to really fry the weeds. Just spray the weed and it will die over the next week. Please keep in mind that this will also kill off any vegetation.
You will want to use caution spraying around plants you want to keep. Also, this will kill your lawn, so make sure you don't spray on your lawn. Unless you want to kill off your grass. It makes a great cheap grass killer.
I love how great this works to kill the weeds and I have even had good luck with it keeping the weeds gone in the cracks of my driveway. This DIY weed killer is perfect for flower beds, gardens, sidewalks, and driveways! It also works great with brick sidewalks where you need to keep the weeds away. What tricks do you have to keep the weeds away?
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DIY Weed Killer
1/2 teaspoon dish soap
2 tablespoons table salt
2 cups vinegar
spray bottle
Start by pouring 1/2 teaspoon dish soap in your spray bottle. I use Dawn, but any brand will work. Next, add 2 tablespoons table salt to the spray bottle. Finally, add 2 cups of vinegar to the spray bottle. Shake the bottle up well until all the salt is dissolved. Spray on weeds during a sunny day and wait for the weeds to disappear! You can double or triple the recipe if needed.
Meg says
What kind of sprayer do you use? I tried your recipe in an industrial plastic spray bottle & after 50 or so sprays, the trigger wouldn't work anymore. I thought that might be a problem with the salt. Any suggestions?
Julie says
I have used it in both a spray bottle or a lawn and garden sprayer. I haven't had a problem in either of them. As long as you make sure the salt is dissolved it shouldn't cause any problems. Maybe try the trigger with just plain water and see if you are still having problems?
Jody Waddell says
Once you spray, can you plant again in that area later? Or does it contaminate the soil for a while?
Julie says
It shouldn't contaminate the soil for very long. I have planted azalea's after 3 days of when I sprayed. Seeds like grass seed may need to wait longer (maybe 2-4 weeks) ?
Geoff says
Will this work around other plants as long as you don't spray them? Or does it go to the roots?
Julie says
As long as you don't spray the other plants you should be good.
Karissa says
Thank you for sharing, what a great solution to expensive week killers. I will be making some of this. Visiting your blog from A Bowl Full of Lemons
Erin @ the-organized-life says
Thanks for sharing... always looking for DIY ways of doing things... seems a lot cheaper and safer.
Joann Woolley says
Pinning for when I get my garden going! I want to remain organic in our garden so I may have to switch out the dawn dishsoap for something greener.
Laura Sue Shaw says
Thanks for sharing! I really need to make this.. it seems that weeds have been overtaking our yard this spring!
Emily says
Thanks for mentioning that it would kill off all vegetation! We had heard vinegar was a possible weed killer and almost sprayed it on our lawn...whoops
Julie says
Vinegar on the lawn isn't good, unless you are wanting to kill off the lawn. When I was younger, I thought I was helping my dad out by spraying roundup on the lawn. He wasn't very happy. 🙂
Gwen says
This has come just at the right time for me, as we have a huge number of weeds coming up on our path at the moment! Thank you for sharing your recipe 🙂
Julie says
Your welcome!
Sherry Hayes says
Marvelous idea--I think I'll go right now and make up some (found through the Mom2Mom linkup).
Casserole Gals says
I have made this and it works great!
Julie says
Glad you like it! I have really been happy with it.
Heather says
Definitely going to try this! It sounds perfect for the weeds that spring up in the cracks in my driveway!
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
I read this post just at the right time because I have weeds right now that I'm trying to kill. I love how easy this is! Thanks so much for linking up with #ShareTheWealthSunday!
xoxo
Lisa
Sarah says
This sounds like a great solution for me. I always worry about putting chemicals into our earth... Thanks for the idea! found you at Link Party Palooza.
Julie says
Your welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Stephanie @ this abundant life says
This is a great weed solution! We have little weeds that grow up between the pavers on our back patio and I hate to spray a chemical out there with my littles always running around barefoot. I am going to give this a try! Thanks so much for the tip!
Julie says
Your Welcome!