Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Homemade Formulas for Killing Weeds

NA/Photos.com/Getty Images

With FDA recalls and growing concern over toxic chemicals in commercial herbicides, organic weed killers are an eco-friendly alternative. Homemade formulas for killing weeds are not only environmentally responsible, they can also save you time and money.

Vinegar

One of the best homemade formulas for killing weeds, according to the Garden Counselor Lawn Care website, involves vinegar. White vinegar sprayed directly onto the plant (and into its roots) should kill a weed in a few days. Otherwise, mix 1 gallon of vinegar with 1 oz. of dish soap. The soap helps the vinegar stick to the plant, and the acetic acid in the vinegar kills the plant. Combine the soap and vinegar in a spray bottle, shake to mix and spray. Garden Counselor recommends using this formula on a sunny day to help the vinegar's acetic acid draw more moisture out of the weeds' leaves and roots. The only downside to a vinegar-based homemade formula for killing weeds is that it may increase the acidity of your soil, and it may not work on plants with waxy leaves. The formula also may not kill the roots immediately, so it may take a few applications before the weed dies. Another vinegar-based formula involves 1 qt. of vinegar and 4 oz. of lemon juice concentrate. By drenching the weed in this formula, you can kill the root, but again, this is an acidic formula and may damage the root systems of the plants nearby.

  • One of the best homemade formulas for killing weeds, according to the Garden Counselor Lawn Care website, involves vinegar.
  • The only downside to a vinegar-based homemade formula for killing weeds is that it may increase the acidity of your soil, and it may not work on plants with waxy leaves.

Salt

Rock salt is another great way to kill weeds. Sprinkling salt directly over the plant you want to kill can be very effective. Boil 4 qt. of vinegar, and adding 1 cup of salt and 1 tbsp. of dish detergent. After this formula cools, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it directly on the weed. This homemade formula for killing weeds will not damage your soil as much as a vinegar-dishsoap formula, and it may help kill the weed faster.

  • Rock salt is another great way to kill weeds.
  • This homemade formula for killing weeds will not damage your soil as much as a vinegar-dishsoap formula, and it may help kill the weed faster.

Boiling Water

A completely organic and efficient way to kill a weed is to pour boiling water directly onto the plant. According to the Vegetable Gardening Gnomes website, this homemade formula for killing weeds involves no preparation except boiling water. The heat from the water boils the weed to death, and has no adverse affect on the soil (unless an earthworm is nearby).

Bleach

The Small Farm Permaculture and Sustainable Living website recommends a bleach solution of 50-percent bleach and water to kill weeds. This homemade formula for killing weeds can be dangerous if it gets on the skin or in the eyes, so use proper precautions. Just like a vinegar-based formula can make soil more acidic, a bleach formula can make soil more alkaline. Depending on the type of soil you have, consider using a homemade formula that will not damage your soil's pH level.

  • A completely organic and efficient way to kill a weed is to pour boiling water directly onto the plant.
  • This homemade formula for killing weeds can be dangerous if it gets on the skin or in the eyes, so use proper precautions.

Related Articles

Home Remedy Weed Killer
Home Remedy Weed Killer
Active Ingredients in Roundup
Active Ingredients in Roundup
How to Use Vinegar & Salt as a Weed Killer
How to Use Vinegar & Salt as a Weed Killer
How to Kill Weeds with Vinegar
How to Kill Weeds with Vinegar
Tips on Killing Large Patches of Weeds
Tips on Killing Large Patches of Weeds
Lemon Juice to Kill Weeds
Lemon Juice to Kill Weeds
How to Make Natural Root Killer
How to Make Natural Root Killer
How to Kill Weeds with Salt and Vinegar
How to Kill Weeds with Salt and Vinegar
Using Soap As a Sticking and Spreading Agent for Herbicides
Using Soap As a Sticking and Spreading Agent for Herbicides
Can You Spray Vinegar Around Trees?
Can You Spray Vinegar Around Trees?
How to Test the Quality of Roundup
How to Test the Quality of Roundup
Salt As a Weed Killer
Salt As a Weed Killer
How to Use Salt to Kill Weeds
How to Use Salt to Kill Weeds
Ingredients in Trimec Plus Herbicide
Ingredients in Trimec Plus Herbicide
Clorox As a Weed Killer
Clorox As a Weed Killer
How to Make a Steam Weed Killer
How to Make a Steam Weed Killer
Uses of Vinegar as a Weed Killer
Uses of Vinegar as a Weed Killer
How to Mix Image Herbicide
How to Mix Image Herbicide
How to Kill Stickers in Your Yard
How to Kill Stickers in Your Yard
Garden Guides
×