Using a simple homemade weed killer saves money because the ingredients are everyday household items like Epsom salt that are cheap and easily available.
Most homemade weed killers don’t contain dangerous chemicals, so these weed killers are also environmentally friendly.
Here’s how to make a three-ingredient homemade weed killer:
Ingredients:
- 1 gallon white household vinegar
- 2 cups Epsom salt
- ¼ cup Dawn or similar dishwashing detergent
Instructions:
- Pour the vinegar into the spray bottle
- Add the Dawn dishwashing detergent
- Shake the bottle gently to mix the Dawn and vinegar
- Add the Epsom salt
- Shake the bottle again until all the Epsom salt is mixed through
- Leave the bottle to stand for two to three minutes
Homemade Weed Killer Benefits
There are numerous benefits of using this homemade weed killer.
Knowing What the Weed Killer Contains
The main benefit of using this homemade weed killer is knowing exactly what the weed killer contains, since it was made at home.
Most commercial weed killers contain complex chemicals that can cause dangerous side effects. For instance, some chemical fumes damage the lungs when inhaled.
Safety
The three-ingredient homemade weed killer doesn’t contain any dangerous chemicals and won’t cause harmful side effects. All the ingredients are common household products that are safe to use.
Affordability
The three ingredients needed to make the homemade weed killer are cheap. Many commercial weed killers are expensive, making them unaffordable for some people.
Even those on a strict budget can easily make the three-ingredient homemade weed killer.
Ingredients Readily Available
The ingredients in the three-ingredient homemade weed killer are common items that are readily available in any supermarket.
There’s no need to travel to an out-of-the-way specialty gardening store to buy weed killer.
Requires Only Basic Equipment
Three-ingredient weed killer requires no specialty equipment. The only equipment needed to make three-ingredient homemade weed killer are basic gardening items. The following is a list of the necessary items:
- Large spray bottle
- Measuring jug
- Protective gloves
- Mask
- Protective goggles
Quick and Easy to Make
Three-ingredient homemade weed killer only takes a few minutes to make. Anyone can make this weed killer because making it doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge.
Long Shelf Life
Homemade weed killer has a long shelf life and can be made in large quantities and stored in the garage or garden shed.
The weed killer will be conveniently available whenever those pesky weeds pop up, saving time and effort.
Tips for Using Natural Weed Killer
Read the following tips to find out the best ways to use natural weed killer.
When to Apply Natural Weed Killer
Choose a sunny day to apply weed killer. For weed killer to be most effective, sunlight needs to dry the weeds after the weed killer has been applied.
Spray the weeds with weed killer during the late morning or early afternoon, so that the weed killer has enough time to dry fully.
Don’t apply weed killer in the early morning. The weeds need to be completely dry before applying weed killer in order for the weed killer to work.
If the weeds are still moist from early-morning dew, or if it has rained, the weeds can’t absorb the weed killer.
Natural weed killer can be used as needed in all seasons, but it is mostly needed during spring and summer when weeds grow prolifically.
How to Apply Natural Weed Killer
Spray the leaves and stems of the weeds generously with weed killer, ensuring that the weed killer coats the top and underside of the leaves, and allow the weed killer to dry fully. Within 24 hours the weeds will start turning brown and will die within two to three days.
Natural weed killer only kills the parts of the weeds that are above ground. It doesn’t kill the roots, so once the leaves have died, pull out the roots of the weeds to prevent the weeds from growing back.
Storing Natural Weed Killer
Store natural weed killer in a sealed bottle in a cool, dark place such as a garage or garden shed. Place it on a high shelf, out of reach of small children.
How to Remove Stubborn Weeds
Stubborn weeds have a resilient root system that regenerates easily. Natural weed killer doesn’t kill the roots.
Once the foliage has died off (two to three days after being treated with weed killer), be sure to pull out all the roots. If a small piece of a root remains in the ground, the weed can grow back.
How to Prevent Weeds
The most effective way to prevent weeds from growing through brick paving is to put down a layer of landscape fabric before paving.
Landscape fabric prevents the weeds’ seeds from germinating and growing through the ground’s surface.
In flower beds, a layer of mulch helps prevent weeds from growing. The mulch protects the flowers while suppressing the weeds.
Special Precautions When Using Natural Weed Killer
- Three-ingredient natural weed killer kills all living plants, not only weeds. Take care to ensure that the weed killer only lands on the weeds. If the weed killer comes into contact with desired plants, the weed killer will kill the plants.
- Wear gloves to protect the skin while spraying the weed killer. Although three-ingredient weed killer doesn’t contain any dangerous chemicals, the acetic acid in the vinegar can irritate skin.
- Wear a mask and protective goggles while spraying the weed killer, because the mixture gives off strong fumes. Although the fumes aren’t toxic, they may still cause discomfort by stinging the eyes and causing tightness in the chest if inhaled.
Natural Weed Killer Alternatives
If Epsom salt isn’t available, replace it with regular salt in the three-ingredient recipe for natural weed killer.
When using regular salt in place of Epsom salt, if the weeds don’t die after the first application, apply the weed killer again two or three days later.
An even simpler alternative to three-ingredient weed killer is salt diluted with water at a ratio of 1 part salt to 3 parts water.
Spray both the leaves and stems of the weeds thoroughly with the salt water solution. Repeat the application daily until the leaves turn brown and die.
