Weeds are a common problem for gardeners and homeowners who want to keep their lawns and landscapes looking neat and healthy. But not everyone is comfortable with using chemical herbicides that can harm the environment and pose health risks to humans and animals. Fortunately, there is a natural alternative that you can make at home with just three simple ingredients: vinegar, salt, and dish soap.
Why Vinegar, Salt, and Dish Soap?
Vinegar, salt, and dish soap are all household items that you probably have in your pantry or kitchen. They are also effective weed killers that work in different ways to destroy unwanted plants.
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which lowers the pH of the soil and dehydrates the plant cells. Vinegar is especially effective on young weeds with shallow roots, but it can also kill some perennial weeds with repeated applications.
Salt also contains acetic acid, as well as sodium chloride, which disrupts the osmotic balance of the plant cells and prevents them from absorbing water and nutrients. Salt can also sterilize the soil and prevent weed seeds from germinating.
Dish soap acts as a surfactant, which means it helps the vinegar and salt solution stick to the leaves and stems of the weeds, increasing its contact time and effectiveness. Dish soap also breaks down the waxy cuticle of the plant cells, making them more vulnerable to the vinegar and salt.
How to Make and Use the DIY Homemade Weed Killer
Making your own DIY homemade weed killer with vinegar is very easy and inexpensive. All you need are:
4 litres of vinegar (preferably with a high acetic acid concentration of 11% or more)
250 grams of table salt
20 millilitres of liquid dish soap (any brand will do)
To make the weed killer, simply combine all the ingredients in a large container and stir well until the salt dissolves. Then, transfer the solution to a spray bottle for easy application.
To use the weed killer, spray it generously on the weeds that you want to get rid of, making sure to cover all the leaves and stems. The best time to apply the weed killer is on a sunny and dry day when the weeds are actively growing and there is no rain forecasted for at least 24 hours. This will ensure that the solution has enough time to penetrate and damage the weeds before it gets washed away by rain or irrigation.
You may need to repeat the application every few days or weeks until the weeds are completely dead. Be careful not to spray the solution on any plants that you want to keep, as it will kill them too. Also, avoid spraying it on areas where you plan to grow plants in the future, as it can make the soil too acidic and salty for them.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Using DIY Homemade Weed Killer with Vinegar
Using DIY homemade weed killer with vinegar has some advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of before deciding to use it.
Some of the benefits are:
It is natural, organic, and eco-friendly, unlike chemical herbicides that can pollute the water, soil, and air.
It is cheap and easy to make, using ingredients that you already have at home or can buy at any grocery store.
It is fast-acting and effective on most types of weeds, especially annuals and young ones.
Some of the drawbacks are:
It is non-selective, meaning it will kill any plant that it touches, including grasses, flowers, vegetables, fruits, etc.
It can alter the pH and salinity of the soil, making it unsuitable for growing plants in the future.
It can damage concrete, metal, wood, or other surfaces that it comes in contact with.
It can irritate your skin, eyes, nose, or throat if you inhale or touch it without proper protection.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a natural way to get rid of weeds in your garden or lawn without using harmful chemicals, you can try making your own DIY homemade weed killer with vinegar. It is a simple solution that uses vinegar, salt, and dish soap to kill weeds by dehydrating them and disrupting their cellular functions. However, you should also be careful when using it, as it can also kill your desired plants and damage your soil or other surfaces. Always wear gloves, goggles, and a mask when handling or spraying the solution, and keep it away from children and pets.