DIY: How to Make Organic Weed Killer

Vinegar, Salt, and Dish Detergent Do the Trick

Nannette Richford
Vinegar, salt, and dish detergent provide a simple solution to a big problem with weeds in your yard. Getting rid of those hard to control weeds without using toxins in your yard is always a challenge. Commercial products can be dangerous to children and pets or be harmful for the environment. They also tend to be quite expensive. This homemade solution will knock off the weeds in no time. Not only will you create a safe weed killer, you'll save money too.

If you have large areas of weeds that you want to get rid of, the first recipe is for you. It does take a few moments of preparation time, but it will kill any vegetation it comes in contact with. Care must be taken to spray only the weeds you want to kill, avoiding spraying lawns and flowers.

Weed Killer Recipe #1

1 gallon distilled vinegar
1-cup household salt
1 tbsp dish detergent
Spray bottle

Mix all ingredients in large kettle and heat over medium heat until the salt is completely dissolved. It is not necessary to boil the solution.

Set aside to cool.

Once the vinegar solution has cooled, pour it into a spray bottle.

If you only have a few weeds to take care of and want a quick and easy solution that doesn't require heating or waiting time, then this recipe is for you.

Weed Killer #2

1 tbsp gin
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp dish detergent
1 quart water

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and pour into a spray bottle.

Both weed killer recipes will kill any vegetation they contact. Be careful to spray only the weeds you want to kill and not your lawn or flowers.

These are especially well suited for killing those annoying weeds that spring up in walkways or around foundations and decks. Once treated with the homemade weed killer, weeds will shrivel and die within hours leaving your walkway free from undesirable weeds.

These homemade weed killers are quick and easy to make for a fraction of the cost of commercial products and use common household ingredients that are probably already in your cupboard. They are safe for the environment and won't harm children or pets once applied.

These solutions should be stored in a safe location away from pets and children. Although the ingredients are nontoxic, they may irritate mucus membranes or cause nausea if ingested.

Published by Nannette Richford - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle

Nannette Richford is an avid gardener, teacher and nature enthusiast with 4 years experience in online writing and a lifetime of personal journals. As an award winning writer for Demand Studios, Richford has...   View profile

  • These weed killers will kill any vegetation.
  • Do not spray on lawns or gardens.
  • Weeds will shrivel and die in hours.
These homemade weed killers are safe to use around pets and children and cost mere pennies to make.

4 Comments

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  • scott thielke 7/14/2011

    This is right out of the Master Gardner Jerry Baker books. Hope you know that.

  • Jason 6/24/2010

    do you mean liquid dish detergent or will powdered work? Is the detergent just breaking surface tension to allow for easier absorption? How about the Gin? I just like to know what is doing what and why in these kinds of things. The recipes work great by the way!

  • DrDevience 4/30/2008

    Oops! I forgot you were a member of Fanpop and I posted this link.... Sorry! If you want, I can remove it so you can post it... just let me know.

  • DrDevience 4/30/2008

    Nice one ;)

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