Gardeners across Britain are turning to their kitchen cupboards for an ingenious solution to persistent weed problems. In fact, a homemade spray costing as little as 35p may eliminate troublesome weeds without having to resort to expensive commercial herbicides.
The DIY mixture has gained popularity amongst green-fingered enthusiasts on the lookout to avoid chemical-laden products, championed by garden experts and social media influencers alike.
With concerns mounting over harsh chemicals in traditional weed killers, particularly those containing glyphosate which disrupts bee navigation, the kitchen-based remedy offers both financial and environmental benefits.
The simple concoction requires just three common household ingredients readily available in most British homes.
The recipe is made up of white vinegar, salt and washin gup liquid
@joesgarden/TikTok
Garden company Sloane and Sons revealed the recipe comprises white vinegar, salt and washing up liquid. "Both vinegar and salt are rich in acetic acid, which dries out and destroys plants," the company explained.
The washing up liquid serves a crucial purpose as a surfactant, "ensuring the solution penetrates the leaf pores instead of just sitting on top".
To create the mixture, gardeners should combine a gallon of white vinegar with a small cup of salt and a tablespoon of washing up liquid. The solution should be stirred thoroughly before transferring to a spray bottle.
Experts recommend applying the spray during the warmest part of the day for optimal results.
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TikTok gardener Joe, known as @joesgarden, offered specific guidance on application. "Now I wouldn't spray this on soil, as it can impact future plants and alter the soil acidity but on your patio weeds, go wild," he advised.
Joe explained the science behind the method: "This mixture essentially dehydrates the weed, which in turn can cause the foliage - and sometimes the root - to die back."
He also suggested an alternative approach using boiling water from the kettle.
However, he added: "While this can be very effective, we found the spray to be slightly better at getting down to the plant's roots, preventing it from coming back for good."
Joe also recommended using boiling water to kill off weeds
@joesgarden/TikTok
The homemade solution offers a much garden-friendly option from commercial herbicides, which Sloane and Sons described as offering "a quick fix" but raising "concerns about harsh chemicals".
White distilled vinegar, the primary ingredient, can be purchased for just 35p at major retailers including Sainsbury's, although it can vary from shop to shop.
However, when applying the weed-killing concoction, gardeners must exercise caution when applying the mixture near desired plants since it could threaten the life of your much-adored garden plants.
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