If you want a homemade weed killer, the simplest option is usually white vinegar + a little dish soap—but it works best on small, young weeds and can damage any plant it touches.
Simple homemade herbicide
1 litre white vinegar
1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
How to use it:
Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle.
Spray directly onto the leaves of unwanted weeds on a dry, sunny day.
Avoid spraying desirable plants, lawns, and garden soil around plants you want to keep.
Expect to repeat the treatment for persistent weeds.
The vinegar burns down foliage but may not kill deep roots, so perennial weeds can grow back.
Avoid adding salt
Salt is sometimes recommended online, but it can accumulate in soil and harm nearby plants and soil health. It’s generally better to use repeated spot treatment or physically remove persistent weeds.
Important: Don’t mix homemade herbicides with bleach, ammonia, or commercial pesticides. Also check local rules if you’re treating weeds near drains, waterways, or public areas.
