Claims like “This burns weeds in 1 day! They NEVER grow again!” are not realistic.
Many homemade weed killers can burn the visible leaves within a day, but very few permanently kill the roots, especially for perennial weeds. As a result, many weeds grow back.
Common homemade methods
- Boiling water
- Can kill small weeds in cracks, sidewalks, or driveways.
- May not kill deep roots.
- Be careful to avoid burns and nearby desirable plants.
- Vinegar
- Household vinegar (5% acetic acid) can damage leaves of young weeds.
- It usually does not kill established roots, so regrowth is common.
- It can also harm nearby plants.
- Salt
- Salt can kill plants, but it also stays in the soil and can make it difficult for anything to grow there for a long time.
- It is generally not recommended for garden beds because it can damage soil quality.
For longer-lasting control
- Pull weeds, including as much of the root as possible.
- Apply mulch (2–4 inches/5–10 cm) to suppress new weeds.
- Remove weeds before they produce seeds.
- For persistent perennial weeds, repeated removal or an appropriate herbicide may be necessary, following the product label.
