Weeds are a persistent problem in many gardens, and there is no shortage of solutions for tackling them. Some gardeners opt for shop-bought weed killers, though these can contain harsh chemicals and prove costly. With plenty of weeds appearing in my garden this year, I decided to put two popular natural methods head-to-head to determine which is best.
I made a homemade natural weed killer using everyday kitchen staples, and also tried boiling water straight from the kettle. The outcomes were impressive, leaving me with several effective solutions for eliminating weeds, yet one method proved superior.
Natural homemade weed killer
Using a spray bottle, I combined 500ml of white vinegar, two tablespoons of salt, and two tablespoons of washing-up liquid. As I already had all the ingredients in my kitchen cupboard and had just emptied a spray bottle, the whole thing didn't cost me a single penny.
I ventured outside and chose to trial the mixture on various sections of the patio. After giving the weeds a thorough coating, I left them undisturbed until the following day.
Upon returning to check the results, I was astonished to discover the weeds had withered and died. Removing them afterwards proved far simpler than it would have been had they still been alive.
The homemade weed killer was remarkably effective, being both inexpensive to produce and free from harsh chemicals. Be sure to apply the mixture on a dry, sunny day to prevent rain from washing it away.
Blogger Moral Fibres also advises against using it on weeds in soil, as it can render the area acidic, making it best suited to patio surfaces.
Boiling water
I then put another widely popular natural weed-killing method to the test: boiling water. I filled my kettle to its maximum capacity before heading outside.
I poured the boiling water over the patio weeds close to those I had already treated with my homemade spray. Containing the scalding water proved rather tricky, so I stepped back before pouring.
The weeds appeared to begin shrivelling almost straight away, though I decided to return the following day to fully evaluate the results, just as I had done with the spray.
The boiling water method undoubtedly delivered, with the weeds appearing browned and withered upon my return.
The verdict
Both methods left me genuinely impressed when it came to tackling weeds on my patio. The boiling water approach is more cost-effective and straightforward, though it would mean multiple trips indoors to re-boil the kettle for larger areas. It was the fastest method for dealing with weeds, making it perfect if you're looking for a quick solution with minimal effort.
That said, if time is on your side and the sun is shining, I would suggest opting for the homemade weed killer. In my view, it comes out on top as it was far easier to direct the spray precisely onto the weeds without scalding water spreading across the patio. It also delivered marginally superior results overall, as the weeds appeared more shrivelled. Once made up, the bottle goes a long way, as I've treated my entire patio and still have a generous amount remaining.
How to make homemade weed killer
Ingredients
- 500ml white vinegar (I got a litre from Sainsbury's for 45p)
- Two tbsp salt (75p for a 750g bottle at Sainsbury's)
- Two tsp washing-up liquid (62p for a 500ml bottle at Asda)
- Spray bottle
Method
- Either in the spray bottle or a jug, combine the white vinegar and salt. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Add the washing-up liquid and mix thoroughly. If using a jug, decant the solution into the spray bottle.
- Clear any insects from the weed.
- Apply the mixture directly onto the weed's leaves, ensuring a thorough soaking. For larger weeds, pour some of the solution onto the plant while also spraying the leaves.
- The weeds will start to wilt within a few hours. Left for 24 hours, they should have completely died back.
