8 Homemade Weed Killers (Natural Herbicide Recipes)

Do you want to find an effective DIY weed killer for your lawn?

Commercial herbicides can be expensive, contaminate water sources, and even lead to health problems if inhaled or if it contacts skin. The following natural (and chemical) DIY weed killers can help you tackle stubborn weeds.

In this guide, we’ll go over:

• The top 8 DIY weed killer methods
• Natural and chemical options
• When is the best time to use them
• How to apply them for best results

Let’s get started!

Strategy #1: Vinegar, Salt, and Dish Soap

Vinegar is the most tried and true staple DIY weed killer used around the world.

It works due to the acetic acid in the vinegar which dries out and kills weeds. Vinegar will start working within hours of contact with weeds, and works even better on hot and sunny days.

For a more powerful punch, I recommend getting stronger or horticultural vinegar at your local hardware store with a 20% to 40% acetic acid strength.

More caution is needed with horticultural vinegar, such as wearing gloves. You may even want to use a vapor mask or safety glasses in case the wind blows the solution onto your face.

Adding Salt & Dish Soap

Two common add-on ingredients to vinegar are salt and dish soap. When you add salt, it will help dry out the plant even faster. Just be careful with salt because it can make your soil infertile if used in areas of grass or garden plants.

And adding a bit of dish soap helps the solution stick longer to the plant, making it much more effective.

Advantages

• Kills weeds quickly especially shallow/young weeds
• Highly affordable and easy to acquire
• Safe alternative to harsh chemicals

Disadvantages

• Vinegar isn’t a spot treatment, it will kill anything it touches.
• Won’t attack the roots but only visible part of weed

7 Steps To Using Vinegar To Kill Weeds

1. Get Ingredients Ready: You can use regular 5% white vinegar but going for stronger vinegar from a hardware store (or online) is a better option. You will also need some table salt or rock salt. And just a teaspoon of regular dish soap.
   
2. Mix It Up: In a bucket, mix 1 gallon of vinegar, 1 cup of salt, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Mix the ingredients until the salt is fully dissolved so it doesn’t clog up the sprayer. If using horticultural vinegar, use a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water.
   
3. Pour Into Sprayer: Carefully fill up a regular spray bottle or preferably a garden sprayer with the solution.
   
4. Wait For Hot & Dry Day: Ideally, you want to wait for a hot day that isn’t forecasted for rain anytime soon. The heat improves the effectiveness of the vinegar to dry out and kill weeds while rain will just wash the solution off.
   
5. Give It Time To Work: You should start noticing the weeds browning within a couple of hours of application but it may take 1-2 days for the weeds to die.
   
6. Re-application: Some weeds will need another treatment or two for them to fully die off.
   
7. Be Careful of Soil Contamination: The acetic acid can change the soil pH and kill off beneficial microbes. It’s best to limit vinegar to hardscapes like driveways, walkways, and playgrounds. I also recommend using a plastic barrier if spraying it near grass or plants.

Strategy #2: Propane Torch

Fire is a simple and natural way to kill weeds and has been in use since the early 1900s.

A simple propane torch for kitchen use or propane torch weed burner is all the equipment you need. The idea is NOT to burn weeds until they turn black but to flame the weed just until it withers.

The great thing about using fire to kill weeds is that it won’t damage the soil or kill beneficial microbes that prevent future plant growth.

Flame weeding is the most effective for young weeds, around 1-3 inches in height.

Obviously, this method shouldn’t be used in fire-prone areas and I recommend having a hose or fire extinguisher close by just in case something ignites.

Accidental Germination

Another downside of using fire is that heat may encourage the germination of fire-adapted seeds such as pigweed, crabgrass, and foxtail. It’s essential to use fire just until the weed wilts, and not flaming the soil excessively will prevent accidental germination.

Advantages

• Chemical-free way to kill weeds
• No soil damage

Disadvantages

• It’s a fire hazard
• Time-consuming for big areas
• May accidentally germinate weed seeds in ground

6 Steps To Using Propane Torch

1. Pick The Right Day: I recommend using this method on dry and low-wind days.
   
2. Use Safety Gear: Have a fire extinguisher, hose, or bucket of water handy just in case a fire starts. It’s a good idea to also wear gloves and pants.
   
3. Clear Debris: If there is any flammable debris like leaves, remove it from around the weeds.
   
4. Light The Torch: Follow manufacturer’s instructions on lighting the propane. Move the torch slowly and target each weed until it withers.
   
5. Target Young Weeds: Fire is best used on young weeds. Mature weeds will likely need to be re-targeted a couple times.
   
6. Water Down Area: Fires sometimes start hours after torch weeding. You may want to hose down the areas where you used fire.

Read Also >> How To Get Rid of Ants (Natural & Chemical)

Strategy #3: Boiling Water

Boiling water is a simple way to destroy weeds that humans have been using for hundreds of years.

Similar to using fire, scalding water will cause weed cells to expand and rupture — effectively killing them within hours. Boiling water is most effective on shallow weeds since it is unlikely to reach deeper root systems.

I recommend using boiling water especially on hard surfaces like walkways, steps, and driveways. Be careful because boiling water won’t discriminate and it will kill anything it touches.

Avoid using it too much on good soil because it can also kill beneficial bacteria in the soil though it is temporary and minimal.

Advantages

• No harsh chemicals
• Kills weeds instantly on contact
• No equipment needed

Disadvantages

• Will kill anything it touches
• Won’t get to deep root systems
• Risk of scalding

4 Steps To Using Boiling Water

1. Boil Water: Use a pot or an electric kettle to bring the water to a rolling boil.
   
2. Pour On Weeds: Carefully bring the water to the weeds and slowly pour it onto the base and roots of the weeds.
   
3. Avoid Good Plants: Remember to avoid allowing hot water to touch desirable plants since it will kill them as well. This method is best for weeds growing in between pavers, concrete, and other hardscape surfaces.
   
4. Monitor and Re-target: Inspect how the weeds look in a day or two. Do another application of boiling water if needed.

Strategy #4: Corn Gluten Meal (CGM)

Corn gluten meal is a byproduct of regular cornmeal and it’s an effective preventative weed treatment.

It’s used early in the growing season on areas to prevent weeds from sprouting in the first place.

Corn gluten meal was first patented as a preventative herbicide in 1991 by a horticultural professor at Iowa State University. It contains protein chains called dipeptides that damage the root systems of sprouting weed seeds and prevents their growth.

An upside to using corn gluten meal is that it’s packed with nitrogen which makes it a natural fertilizer that won’t harm existing plants.

This method requires some planning and timing since it won’t kill established weeds.

Advantages

• Non-toxic for environment
• Preventative treatment to stop weed growth
• Adds nitrogen to the soil

Disadvantages

• Doesn’t kill existing weeds
• Must be applied at right time of year

5 Steps To Using Corn Gluten Meal

1. Pick The Right Time: It’s best to use corn gluten meal in early spring or fall prior to weeds sprouting.
   
2. Prepare The Ground: It’s crucial to clear your garden of existing weeds and brush before applying the meal. You want to make sure that the CGM actually reaches the soil.
   
3. Apply The Meal: For small areas, evenly spread the corn gluten meal by hand. For larger areas, I recommend using a fertilizer spreader at about 20 lbs per 1,000 square feet.
   
4. Water Area: Use a garden hose to lightly wet the area where you spread the meal. Don’t overwater the area but you want to help the CGM integrate into the soil.
   
5. Avoid Planting: Wait at least 5–6 weeks before planting new seeds since the CGM will prevent growth.

Strategy #5: Baking Soda

Since its first industrial production in the 1840s, baking soda has become a staple in many households for baking, cleaning, deodorizing, and even as a weed killer.

Baking soda is a cheap natural way to kill weeds that many households already have stocked. The sodium or salt in baking soda dries out weeds acting as a natural desiccant.

Baking soda is good on hardscape surfaces where weeds grow like pavers, driveways, and walkways.

Since baking soda will alter your soil pH to be more alkaline, there is a risk of harming nearby plants that prefer alkaline-rich soil if it’s overused in the area.

Advantages

• Chemical-free herbicide
• Inexpensive household item
• Great for driveways and cracks

Disadvantages

• May damage good plants if overused
• Large amounts can alter soil pH

4 Steps To Using Baking Soda

1. Pick The Area: Baking soda is best used for hardscape areas, edges, or cracks such as in walkways, driveways, patios, and pavers. Avoid spreading it in desirable garden areas.
   
2. Apply It: Evenly spread around 1 teaspoon of baking onto the weed, focusing on its leaves and base.
   
3. Dissolve in Water for Large Areas: If you have a large area of weeds where there aren’t desirable plants, you can dissolve 1 cup of baking soda into 1 gallon of water and pour it over the weeds.
   
4. Wait And Reapply: The treated weeds should start dying within a few days. Reapply as needed.

Strategy #6: Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a nice DIY method to kill weeds around your home; it dries out and kills weed plants.

Rubbing alcohol breaks down the waxy surface of weeds known as cuticles. Once cuticles become compromised, the weed quickly loses water and starts to wither.

Homeowners only need to mix 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol with 4 cups of water in a sprayer.

Unfortunately, rubbing alcohol will kill your good plants so it’s crucial to use this carefully as a spot treatment.

Similar to other methods, rubbing alcohol is best for weeds growing in-between hard surfaces like driveways, walkways, pavers, and other surfaces.

Rubbing alcohol will also harm beneficial microbes in the soil so don’t use it where you hope to grow plants. It’s best used on hot and sunny days which accelerates the dehydration and withering.

Advantages

• Kills weeds fast on contact
• Cheap and easily available

Disadvantages

• May kill nearby plants

5 Steps To Using Rubbing Alcohol

1. Mix The Alcohol: Mix 2 tablespoons (70% isopropyl) rubbing alcohol with about 4 cups of water.
   
2. Pick a Hot Day: It’s best to choose a warm and sunny day to help accelerate the dehydrating process of the rubbing alcohol. Make sure it isn’t forecasted to rain for at least a few days.
   
3. Spray On Weeds: Use the sprayer to apply the alcohol solution. Try to coat the weeds evenly without drenching them in the solution.
   
4. Use Protective Barrier: Use cardboard or a plastic barrier between weeds and good plants.
   
5. Wait And Reapply: The alcohol should start causing the weeds to wilt within a few days. For stubborn weeds, a second or third application may be needed.
   

Read Also >> How To Fix or Reset Garbage Disposers

Strategy #7: Bleach

Bleach, as a common household supply, is a highly effective DIY method to exterminate weeds.

When undiluted bleach is sprayed onto weeds, it chemically destroys proteins that are involved in photosynthesis and nutrient absorption — effectively killing the weed.

Bleach, similar to the other DIY methods, also severely dehydrates weeds. The bleach interacts with fatty acids in the cells, which causes them to break and leak fluid.

Bleach will also kill garden plants, so be cautious to avoid damage. It will also kill beneficial microbes in the soil so don’t use it in areas where you want new plants to grow.

CAUTION: Never mix bleach with vinegar since they will react and create toxic chlorine gas.

Advantages

• Kills weeds quickly on contact
• Great for hard surfaces like walkways
• Inexpensive

Disadvantages

• May kill nearby plants
• May harm beneficial soil microbes if overused
• Health risks if inhaled or exposed to the skin

5 Steps To Using Bleach

1. Pour Bleach Into Sprayer: Carefully pour undiluted household bleach into a regular sprayer. Ideally use bleach without dyes or fragrances.
   
2. Spray on Weeds: Spray the bleach onto weeds. If there are garden plants near the weed, use a cardboard barrier to block the bleach. Spray it evenly and make sure to coat the entire weed.
   
3. Monitor and Reapply: The weeds should start browning and wilting within a few hours to days. Reapply as needed.
   
4. Pull Dead Weeds: When the weeds are dead, pull them out to prevent them from regrowing.
   
5. Avoid Watering: Wait a few days before watering the area and to help reduce runoff to desirable garden areas.

Strategy #8: Hand Pulling

Hand pulling is an effective and environmentally friendly way to remove roots which won’t damage the soil or surrounding plants.

The best way to hand pull weeds is to wait for the soil to be moist either from rain or watering. When the ground is moist, the weeds should be pulled as close to the roots as possible to ensure the entire root system is removed.

A weeding tool can also help especially for deeper root systems or weeds with tap roots like dandelions. Homeowners should use gloves in order to avoid thorns or irritation from touching weeds.

And after pulling the weed, fill in the hole with mulch or new soil to avoid another weed from popping up out of the hole.

It’s best to hand pull weeds as early in the season as possible before the root systems have developed making them easier to remove.

Advantages

• Removes the entire root system
• No equipment needed
• Precise removal of weeds

Disadvantages

• A lot of work for large areas
• May be difficult for deep weeds

4 Steps To Hand Pulling Weeds

1. Wait For Right Conditions: Ideally wait for it to rain or after watering the area to make weeds easier to remove.
   
2. Pull Weeds Correctly: Hold the weed at the base of the stem as close to soil as possible. Give it a gentle twist while you try to pull out the entire root but without snapping the stem. Pull the weed slowly and steadily.
   
3. Use Tool For Tough Weeds: For bigger weeds with stronger root systems, use a weeding tool or trowel to help pull it out.
   
4. Fill Hole: Fill the hole with new soil, compost, or mulch to help prevent regrowth of a new weed.

Read Also >> How To Unclog A Toilet With & Without a Plunger

Apply On Hot And Dry Day

For the strategies that involve drying weeds on contact like vinegar, it’s best to wait for a dry and hot day to maximize results.

Ideally, homeowners should wait until midday when the sun is the strongest. Heat will help evaporate the solution quicker, speeding up the drying and wilting process.

Sunlight will also help break down the outer protective layer of weeds. Also, waiting until it is hot and dry helps reduce evening or morning dew from lessening the drying effect.

Protect Your Garden Plants

Since these DIY weed killers don’t discriminate between weeds and garden plants, it’s a good idea to use protection. I recommend using a piece of cardboard or a plastic lid to protect your good plants and avoid damage.

For sensitive areas, you can even use a paintbrush or sponge to apply the solution directly to the weed instead of spraying — especially on days with a little wind.

If you want to plant in the area of where there are weeds, it’s crucial to avoid letting chemicals seep into the soil, killing off beneficial microbes.

Use DIY Weed Killers Early Before Seeding

It’s most effective to use these weed killers early in the season before weeds start seeding.

Once weeds mature, they will develop deeper root systems making them harder to fully kill. And if they get to the seeding growth stage, some weeds can produce hundreds of seeds spreading them around your yard.

A good time to use these methods is early spring from March to April for most weed varieties but it really depends on your local climate and particular weeds.

For annuals, it’s typically ideal to apply weed killers during summer when it is the hottest and before full maturity. Perennials would have likely already matured by summer however.

Final Thoughts

DIY weed killers with easy-to-acquire household products can help you stop stubborn weeds without resorting to harsh herbicides.

Probably the most effective DIY weed killer is vinegar, salt, and dish soap. This tried-and-true method coats weed plants, drying them out and killing them within days.

You may also want to use a combination of methods such as boiling water, hand pulling, or corn gluten meal. Corn gluten meal is a great way to prevent weeds from sprouting in the first place.

It’s also a good idea to apply these DIY weed killers on a hot and sunny day which accelerates the dehydration of weed plants. And ideally, start killing weed plants when they are still young with less established root systems for easier removal.

I hope you enjoyed this guide by TimberSill. Leave a question below or share your experience on DIY weed control.

References

• Spraying Weeds With Vinegar [USDA.gov]
• Alternative Pesticides DIY [SLC.gov]