Weeds pose an unsightly problem on your property, and you want to put them in the past fast. They aren’t just ugly though - left unchecked, they can also take a stranglehold in the garden and steal vital moisture and nutrients from your plants.
While our advice is to quickly and easily eradicate even the toughest weeds with our strong weed killer because it works better than anything else, you may be interested in homemade weed killer as a quick fix. You’ve come to the right place.
Follow along as we highlight the best DIY weed killer recipes below, from vinegar and salt to something as simple as boiling water. You can even try baking soda, molasses, corn gluten meal, and more to keep weeds at bay. Learn how below as we share our top tips on effective weed control!
You can easily learn how to kill weeds without waiting a few days for an online order to arrive or the hassle of heading to the local garden store. Chances are, you can create a DIY weed killer recipe that works using ingredients you have around the house!
Vinegar is highly acidic. It quickly lowers the pH of the weed, causing it to desiccate and die. It’s particularly effective for small weeds and it works fast, too, for those wondering how long for weed killer to work. You’ll see results within a few hours in optimal conditions, like full sunlight.
Mix one gallon of white vinegar with one cup of table salt and one tablespoon of liquid dish soap. This acts as a surfactant to help the solution adhere to the plant leaves while enhancing the vinegar's weed-killing properties.
Just be aware that vinegar is non-selective. That means it can harm any plant it contacts, including grass and desirable garden plants. It should be used cautiously or just saved for areas where you want to eliminate all vegetation with a scorched earth approach.
It’s also worth noting that vinegar may not kill weed roots, leading to regrowth in the future. You may find that you need to reapply it a few times throughout the growing season.
You know that salt can de-ice surfaces, effectively keeping walkways and steps safe during winter’s freezing temperatures - but does salt kill weeds too? It sure does!
A quality de-icing salt can also be used to dehydrate plants and disrupt the internal water balance, leading to plant death. You can use it in areas where no vegetation is desired, such as on driveways or walkways.
Combine one part salt with eight parts hot water, stirring until the salt dissolves completely. Add a squirt of dish soap to help the mixture stick to the leaves.
OR - you can spread the salt with one of our salt spreaders and then water it to the surface. Whichever approach makes more sense in your specific circumstances. We have a guide on how to use a salt spreader if you’re looking for tips on streamlining the process.
It’s important to remember that salt can have a lasting negative impact on soil health, potentially sterilizing it and preventing plant growth in the future. Don’t use it in areas you intend to grow plants in the near term.
Another effective homemade weed killer solution is scalding hot water - which as you can imagine, dries the plant out upon contact. Contrary to what you may assume, it doesn’t just attack the leaves - it can destroy roots, too!
Just boil a pot of water on the stove and apply it directly to the plant. It’s that simple. Exercise extreme caution when doing this to prevent burning yourself.
It’s tempting to fill the pot to the brim so you can get spread it further, but this leads to accidental spill or spatter on your hands, wrists/arms, legs, and feet as you walk with the pot or attempt to apply the water.
Also, note that boiling water is only effective on visible weeds and won’t prevent future growth. It can kill the roots, but only if they’re accessible - which limits its use to weeds growing in cracks in your walkways or driveways, or in gravel. It may not be able to penetrate deep enough in soil.
Corn gluten meal acts as a natural pre-emergent herbicide by drying out weed seedlings as they germinate, preventing them from establishing a root system. If you have this on hand to feed livestock, chickens, or pets you can easily use it as part of a DIY weed killer recipe.
Simply apply pure corn gluten meal to the soil at a rate of 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet before the growing season. Avoid watering for a bit as this can reduce its effectiveness.
It will inhibit seed germination of many annual and perennial weed varieties. Many homeowners and property managers use it as a weed and feed yearly for this reason.
Just set your expectations, as it won’t kill live weeds. This is why timing is so important, and it must be applied in early spring.
Nature’s goodness has brought us essential oils, which you may keep around the house for cleaning or aromatherapy. But you can also use certain EOs as an approach to weed killer DIY!
The most effective is clove oil, which has a powerful eugenol concentration. Peppermint works exceptionally well too, and some users have found cinnamon effective.
Mix 20 drops of your chosen essential oils with two cups of water and a table of dish soap as your surfactant. Fill a spray bottle and apply diligently to the weeds that are giving you grief.
Given the cost considerations of essential oils, though, this isn’t our first recommendation for those seeking an affordable DIY weed killer recipe.
It’s also important to remember that these will not offer the same results as a professionally formulated solution, and they could be detrimental to good plants as well.
Finally, you can consider a weed killer DIY recipe featuring baking soda as a means of naturally suppressing undesirable growth on your premises.
It works similarly to salt by creating a high-salinity environment around the weed, which can help kill small weeds by disrupting their moisture balance. You can sprinkle it directly on the weeds. It works exceptionally well in the cracks and crevices of driveways and sidewalks.
However, the same drawbacks we referenced regarding salt apply to baking soda too - it can adversely affect your soil’s pH and thus should be used sparingly. You may also find it ineffective on larger or perennial weeds.
It’s certainly not the strongest weed killer, but we do understand the desire to make weed killer DIY. From cost-effectiveness to environmental stewardship, rapid results, and more - here are all the reasons to try one of the DIY weed killer recipes we’ve shared with you today.
However, as with other DIY projects, such as DIY salt spreaders, homemade de-icer, or even trying to use water as screenwash, you need to be aware of the limitations. Here’s why you may be better off investing in a quality solution like those available at Jennychem…
Don’t get us wrong, DIY solutions can be effective from time to time. They work great for preventing weeds in some cases, and they can also kill existing plant foliage.
The problem is, they rarely eradicate weed for good. Most of these recipes fail to kill the roots, so you’re often going to find yourself back to square one within a few months. Many of these weeds kill the plants you want to thrive as well.
For instance, common homemade weed killer recipes consisting of vinegar and salt may effectively manage small, young weeds but struggle with mature or deep-rooted varieties.
You should also consider the value of your time. Preparing and applying homemade weed killers can be labor-intensive. The process requires precise measurements, frequent reapplications, and careful handling to avoid damaging desirable plants.
All this being said, you may find that you’re better off saving the time and stress while ensuring better results with a professionally formulated solution from Jennychem.
Here at Jennychem, we’re proud to present a proven solution for killing even the toughest weeds - from the pervasive Japanese Knotweed to resilient nettles. Its specially crafted formula ensures total elimination of weeds, right down to the root, preventing regrowth.
Weedex is fast-acting and delivers visible improvements so you can spend less time battling weeds and more time enjoying a beautiful garden or outdoor living area.
It’s also very easy to use, just fill up one of our IK sprayers or other garden sprayers and apply it directly to the weeds. You won’t have to worry about frequent re-application, either.
More than 10,000 people have used this solution to rid their yards of weeds for good, and it’s backed by tons of positive reviews. So, place your order today and put those weeds in the past once and for all.
Before we wrap up our guide to using weed killer DIY, we want to leave you with a few more tips on fighting weeds in general, from hand pulling to preventative measures:
As frustrating as weeds are, there are many ways you can eradicate them from your garden, either naturally or through chemical intervention. Only you can determine which approach is right for your property, but remember - the best method is a few clicks away at Jennychem!
That concludes our homemade weed killer guide. As you can see, there are plenty of DIY weed killer recipes you have at your disposal, many of which you can put to the test today. From vinegar to salt, boiling water, essential oils, corn gluten meal, and more, each has its place.
However, you’re also aware now of the limitations these solutions have, and the simple fact that ultimately, investing in a professionally formulated solution is the only way to permanently eliminate your weed problem.
Fortunately, the tried-and-true formulation you need is just a few clicks away at Jennychem. Shop now and discover the difference our weed killer can make in transforming your garden or outdoor living area into a weed-free paradise!
