A common homemade herbicide is:
- 1 gallon (3.8 L) white vinegar (5% acetic acid)
- 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap (acts as a surfactant so the vinegar sticks to the leaves)
Spray it directly onto the leaves of weeds on a hot, sunny, dry day. Avoid spraying desirable plants, since it isn’t selective and can damage almost any vegetation it contacts.
For tougher weeds, some people add table salt (about 1 cup per gallon), but use caution. Salt can remain in the soil and prevent future plant growth, making it a poor choice for garden beds or areas where you want anything to grow later. It’s generally best reserved for places like cracks in pavement where long-term soil damage isn’t a concern.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Homemade vinegar sprays mainly burn the foliage; they often don’t kill deep roots of perennial weeds, so repeat applications may be needed.
- Young annual weeds are much easier to kill than mature or woody weeds.
- Wear gloves and eye protection to avoid irritation, and avoid spraying on windy days to prevent drift onto desirable plants.
If you’re dealing with a specific type of weed (for example, dandelions, Bermuda grass, poison ivy, or bindweed), I can suggest the most effective approach for that particular plant.
