Five gardening and landscaping experts have all pointed to the same natural, chemical-free solution for getting rid of driveway weeds this summer: a simple mixture of white vinegar, washing-up liquid, and water. This budget-friendly alternative to costly chemical products is effective when applied on dry, sunny days.
Expert-Recommended Natural Weed Killer
Luke Newnes, garden expert at Hillarys, said: "Start with a good clear-out. I like to begin by pulling out any weeds that have already pushed through. If you can, get the whole root, especially with dandelions and plantain, because anything left behind tends to grow back stronger. A simple weeding tool or even an old screwdriver works wonders for getting between block paving." He added: "Use a natural weed killer you probably already own. One of my favourite tricks is a mix of white vinegar, a little washing-up liquid and water. Spray it directly onto weeds on a dry, sunny day. The sun helps it work faster, and you'll usually see them wilt within hours."
Andy McLaughlin, sales and operations director at RF Paving, recommended a similar approach: remove as much of the weed by hand, then treat the area with vinegar, boiling water, or salt. He advised using vinegar with an acetic acid content between 5% and 20%, mixed with washing-up liquid to help it adhere to roots. "Simply spritz directly onto the weeds, making sure not to get any solution on any plants nearby, as the vinegar could cause them to deteriorate," he said. For best results, repeat every two weeks.
Alternative Methods: Boiling Water and Salt
If vinegar is unavailable, boiling water poured directly onto weeds can be effective, though it may not destroy deep roots. For stubborn weeds, a salt solution—one part table salt to two or three parts water—can be used. Andy cautioned that excessive salt can harm surrounding soil and, with repeated use on natural stone, may compromise structural integrity or cause discolouration and erosion.
Jessica Mercer, horticulturist at Plant Addicts, said: "If the driveway weeds are small and scattered, I pull them after rain (or after I've hosed the area) because the roots slide out instead of snapping off. For tiny weeds in cracks, boiling water works well. Pour slowly so it soaks the base, and plan to repeat it on anything with a deep taproot." She noted that concentrated vinegars can be pricey and require eye protection, and should not be sprayed near garden plants.
Best Conditions for Natural Weed Killers
Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Landscaping, said: "Vinegar is a great natural weed killer that is cheap, widely available, and non toxic and safe to handle. Vinegar and other natural weed killers work best when the weather is hot and sunny. Cold weather is less stressful on plants and can help weeds survive a dose of natural weed killer application." He also mentioned that vinegar and salt water mixes are available online but cautioned that salt is toxic to plants and persists in soil.
Liam Sharkey, home expert at HomeServe, said: "For a quick fix, boiling water poured directly onto weeds kills them on contact. It's free, easy, and perfectly safe around pets and children. White vinegar at cleaning strength is another good option, especially when applied on a sunny day."
Preventing Weeds from Returning
Luke Newnes emphasised prevention: "It really does help. It sounds basic, but a regular sweep keeps seeds, debris and moisture from settling. Weeds love compacted dirt and damp joints, so keeping the surface clear gives them fewer places to anchor themselves." He also recommended re-sanding driveway joints for block paving: "Topping up the kiln-dried sand between the bricks makes a huge difference. Weeds hate tight spaces, and fresh sand helps block the light that encourages new growth."
