It’s no surprise a lot of homeowners today want to learn how to make a homemade weed killer. Instead of chemical herbicides, you can use household items like vinegar, baking soda, and salt to eliminate the weeds on your lawn.
Making your own weed killer at home may seem practical and easy, especially since there are a lot of DIY recipes available online. But not all of them are effective, eco-friendly, and safe. Here, you’ll learn about the homemade weed killers that actually work and how you can make them.
How to make homemade weed control solutions
Creating a homemade weed killer is simple and doesn’t require any special equipment or tools. Generally, you won’t have to run to the store to buy the ingredients, as they’re usually found in every home. And, if you know how to mix orange juice, you’re good to go.
For instance, if you’re making a homemade vinegar weed killer, you’ll only need to combine the ingredients and place them in a spray bottle. It’s the same for almost all the recipes meant for killing the most common weeds. The exception is for the option that uses boiling water where you don’t have to mix anything.
But how eco-friendly and safe are these DIY weed killers?
From a purist’s point of view, anything that kills off plants or any living organism is not safe and eco-friendly. But it doesn’t make sense to think this way if you’re caring for your lawn. To have a lush and healthy lawn, you’ll need to get rid of living things like pests and weeds.
The focus on eco-friendliness and safety should be centered on your turf, family, and pets. So, we couldn’t agree more with Steve Pettis, extension agent at North Carolina State University, who said that using gasoline, kerosene, and diesel for weed control should be avoided.
You can follow these tips if you want to make your homemade weed killer both environmentally friendly and safe:
- Apply or spray the weed killer only in specific areas. Don’t “carpet bomb” your lawn.
- To prevent runoff, don’t use the homemade herbicides excessively.
- Cordon off the area being treated for up to 48 hours.
Homemade weed killer recipes that work
Hand-pulling is still the tried-and-true eco-friendly and effective way to eliminate weeds. But let’s be real. Not only is hand weeding a back-breaking task, but it’s also time-consuming. And if you’re unable to pull the entire weed, including the roots, expect it to regrow in a matter of days.
To save yourself from back (and hand) pains caused by hand weeding, it’s better to use a homemade herbicide instead. While there are a lot of recipes on the internet, the following recipes are the ones that are truly effective when used in the right conditions.
Rubbing alcohol
With the pandemic now long over, it’s not surprising to find gallons of rubbing alcohol stashed away in the garage. The same chemicals that can kill coronavirus are also effective in killing weeds. Rubbing alcohol can dry out the moisture in plants, causing the weeds to die.
Note, though, that it can harm any plant it comes in contact with – the same way it harms weeds. While it’s not a big deal if you’re trying to kill weeds that appear in concrete cracks, take extra care if you’re going to use it on your lawn, especially if you have new grass.
How to prepare:
Mix 1 quart of water with 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol to dilute the solution. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
How to apply:
Spray the solution directly onto the weeds. It’s best to do this when it’s sunny so it can dry out the weeds faster. You also can pour the weed killer into a cotton ball and rub it directly on the weeds.
Pro tip: If you accidentally applied rubbing alcohol to a part of your lawn, rinse it immediately with clean water to wash away the chemicals.
Vinegar and castile soap
Vinegar contains acetic acid which functions similarly to that of rubbing alcohol – sucking out water from the weed. While vinegar alone is already effective, adding castile soap can make it even more potent. The soap can help strip away the plant’s cuticle, allowing the vinegar to penetrate the weed better.
How to prepare:
Mix a gallon of vinegar containing 5% to 20% acetic acid with 1 cup of castile soap. Pour the mixture into a garden sprayer.
How to apply:
Before using, remember to shake the bottle well first. Spray the solution directly on the weeds, covering the leaves completely.
Note: This is a great choice for getting rid of broadleaf annual weeds, or those with tender foliage. However, the solution must come in contact with the roots. Otherwise, the weeds can sprout again in the following year or later in the season.
Baking soda and water
If you don’t feel comfortable using vinegar but would like to use the same approach in drying out weeds, you can use baking soda instead. With salt as its major ingredient, baking soda can just as easily suck out moisture from weeds.
How to prepare:
Combine 10 tablespoons of baking soda with a gallon of water. Dissolve the baking soda completely and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
How to apply:
Shake the bottle and spray the baking soda and water mixture directly on the weeds. To make it more effective, do this on a sunny day. The heat of the sun can escalate the drying process.
Note: Unlike vinegar, baking soda can help raise the soil pH levels.
Essential oil and water
The fumes from a weed killer can be offensive. Fortunately, using essential oils is another option. These aromatics are not only friendly to our noses but are mostly harmless to the skin (unless your skin is sensitive).
Since I have sensitive skin, I usually wear protective gloves when handling essential oils. When I first used these oils, I didn’t bother wearing gloves and let the solution come in contact with my skin. While it didn’t trigger a severe allergic reaction, my hands still turned red and felt hot to the touch. So, always be cautious when working with oils, especially if you have sensitive skin.
The most effective among these essential oils is a combination of clove and peppermint. Clove oil can damage the weed’s cellular membranes while peppermint oil acts as a bonus to keep pests like ants away.
How to prepare:
Combine 15 drops of clove oil and 15 drops of peppermint oil with 4 cups of white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle.
How to apply:
With the solution mixed well in a spray bottle, saturate the weeds by spraying directly. Remember to avoid spraying on the grass or plants you don’t want to kill.
Boiling water
Out of all the recipes here, nothing can be as simple as boiling water. You don’t need to mix anything since you just have to pour it, and boiling water will do its job. Boiling water is considered a contact herbicide, which means it kills only the specific part of the plant it comes into contact with.
How to prepare:
Preparation is as easy as boiling the water. We recommend using a tea kettle for this purpose so you can target the weed better when you pour it and avoid any spills that might scald your skin.
How to apply:
Pour the boiling water over the weeds and allow it to start doing its magic. Be aware, though, that you might need to do this several times in a span of days.
Note: It works well on weeds with shallow roots. But weeds with long tap roots, such as chamberbitter, may just scoff at your attempt. In such cases, it’s better to go with vinegar and castile soap.
FAQ about homemade weed killers
What makes a homemade weed killer better than a store-bought herbicide?
Homemade weed killers are cheaper than store-bought solutions. However, you may find some commercially available organic herbicides that are easier on the environment than homemade ones. So, you must consider these things when deciding whether to buy or make your own weed killer.
How long does it take for a vinegar mixture to kill weeds?
Typically, the turnaround time when using vinegar to kill weeds is 24 hours. It’s especially effective against small annual broadleaf weeds in the seedling stage. The weeds will start to turn black in just a few hours after application and eventually die within a day.
Can I use mulch as a natural weed killer?
Yes, you also can use mulch as a natural weed killer. Since mulch can cover the soil and block sunlight, it can prevent weed seeds from germinating and sprouting.
Go for the better solution when getting rid of weeds
Homemade weed killers can help you save money compared to buying herbicides from the store. But what if you make a mistake when mixing the ingredients? The consequences can be costly, especially if you accidentally kill your entire lawn. To avoid such accidents, let a lawn care pro handle the weed control for your lawn and keep everything in check.
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