DIY Natural Weed Killer
This DIY natural weed killer uses all-natural ingredients that work fast to kill weeds. It's amazingly effective and much safer than most weed killers!
Servings: 1 gallon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 gallon white distilled vinegar 5% - see notes*
- 1 cup table salt
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
- 15 drops clove essential oil
- 15 drops lime essential oil
Instructions
To Make
- Add the salt to your garden sprayer.
- Add the clove and lime essential oils, then add the dish soap.
- Pour in the vinegar last to help reduce fizzing.
- Close the sprayer and gently shake to combine the ingredients.
To Apply
- On a hot, sunny day with no rain in the forecast, spray the mixture directly onto the weeds.
- Thoroughly coat the entire plant, spraying until the liquid begins to run off the leaf tips.
- Keep children and pets away from the treated area until it is completely dry, about 1 to 2 hours.
- You should begin seeing results within 24 hours.
Notes
- This weed killer is non-selective, and it will kill any plant it touches. Don't use it in lawns, gardens, or around plants that you want to keep. Use a piece of cardboard to shield nearby plants that may get hit with overspray.
- This spray is best used in driveways, gravel pathways, around pavers, along fencelines, and in sidewalk cracks.
- *For tough weeds: Upgrade to horticultural vinegar (20–30% acidity) for stronger results on established weeds. Find it at garden centers.
- Do NOT use Epsom salt — it actually benefits plants. Only table salt (sodium chloride) works.
- Store out of direct sunlight. Use within a few weeks.
- Overuse of salt in the same spot can prevent future growth, so I suggest avoiding using this near garden beds and areas where you may want plants to grow. You can make this spray without salt for those areas.
- Reapply as often as needed.
- The essential oils are optional, but they do help increase the effectiveness and may even work at preventing weed seeds from germinating.
- While safe to use in areas where pets and children play, be sure to store this weed killer out of their reach. It should NOT be ingested.