A woman named Neal has shared a simple and effective natural weed killer using two common kitchen items: table salt and boiling water. In a video posted on Instagram, she demonstrated how the mixture instantly kills weeds and prevents them from returning.
How the Mixture Works
The scalding water shocks and destroys plant tissue, while the salt permanently dehydrates the weed, preventing it from absorbing moisture. For best results, apply on a sunny day with no rain in the forecast, as rain can wash away the salt before it takes effect.
Neal explained that she had poured the combination onto weeds in her patio just days earlier, and they were already shrivelled and lifeless. Her footage showed weeds growing between slate tiles before treatment, and the withered brown remnants afterward.
Application Instructions
Combine roughly one to two parts salt with three parts boiling water from a kettle. Carefully pour the mixture directly over the foliage and the base of the weeds. Wear closed-toe shoes, trousers, and gloves to minimise the risk of scalding from splashing water.
Important Precautions
This method should only be used on weeds between paving slabs, gravel, or other areas completely clear of plants. Do not apply it to weeds in flowerbeds or pots, as the solution will kill any plants it contacts, including desirable ones.
Alternative Weed Control Methods
Manual removal includes pulling by hand (ensuring the entire root system is removed) and hoeing when the soil is dry. Mulching with organic materials like wood chips or straw blocks sunlight, while landscape fabric provides extra protection. Chemical options include selective herbicides for specific weed types, non-selective herbicides for all vegetation, and pre-emergent herbicides to prevent germination. Natural solutions include boiling water alone, vinegar (household or stronger horticultural vinegar), and salt used sparingly in areas where no plant growth is desired.
