Did you know that glyphosate, used in Roundup, is one of the most toxic chemicals on the planet? There are plenty of all-natural ways to eliminate weeds. One of my favorite is this quick and easy weed killer DIY. It’s great to use on pavers, sidewalks, and gravel or stone areas where weeds pop through. Bonus – no harmful chemicals!
The Best All-Natural Weed Killer DIY
The ingredients for homemade weed killer are all simple products you already have in your home:
- Watering can
- Vinegar
- Dish soap (all-natural) or castile soap
- Salt
- Water
This is not an exact science – approximate measures are totally fine. You will want to pour in about 1/4 of the watering can with vinegar. Then add about 2 TBSP or one squirt of the dish soap, and about 1/4 cup of salt. Again – no stress… a little more or less of anything and it will still work. Then fill up the remainder of the watering can with your garden hose. You may need to rest for a minute here and there to let the bubbles subside.
Also, I use a dedicated watering can for this so I don’t have to worry about cleaning it out to water my flowers.
This is the before picture. Lots of unwanted weeds poking through the pavers in our back walkway. I don’t mind the moss so much, but not the weeds.
A few things to keep in mind. Depending on the size of your area, you may need to refill the watering can. If so, don’t add any more dish soap, as those suds will keep on going! But add a little more vinegar and salt and then fill it back up with the garden hose. For the stubborn weeds, you may need to reapply every few days.
Psst… want easy to follow instructions on how to make all of your favorite household cleaners… the all-natural way? It’s eezy peezy! Click below…
This is best done when the sun it out. The sun will interact with the mixture to help kill the weeds. It will work on a cloudy day, but it works twice as well on a hot sunny day.
This is our second year using this mixture and it actually worked better the second year. The weeds did not come back as strong or as plentiful and were much easier to kill this year.
Finally, don’t use this on or near the plants you want to keep alive – fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, plants, etc. While it’s all-natural, the mixture is designed to kill anything green in its path.
Back to Roundup. It’s actually the brand name for a poison called glyphosate. Glyphosate is one of the most toxic chemicals known to man and is a patented antibiotic that destroys the good bacteria in your gut. With so much of our produce being sprayed with Roundup, that is why it’s important to purchase organic and/or non-GMO produce, and also to not spray Roundup near your home.
That is why I love this weed killer. It’s so simple and inexpensive and it works. All-naturally!
Want to see this live and in action?
UPDATE – Questions About Pets, Baking Soda & Boiling Water
Quick update as this post has been shared all over the world and I’m getting a lot of great feedback in from other channels.
1. Is this safe to use around my pets? It’s certainly safer than Roundup. We only have Mr. Swimmy, no dogs or cats. I did a little research and from what I could find, it does look to be a safe method to use around pets. But I would recommend researching more as like humans, every pet and breed is different.
2. Many folks have said that they use boiling water. Super simple, and it doesn’t get any greener than that! I haven’t tried it yet, but it’s another great all-natural method.
3. Other folks have used baking soda and water and said it works too. Again, I have not tried this method, but quite a few said it works too.
More Gardening Resources You Will Love
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Love, hugs, and “Weeds are nature’s graffiti.” ~J.L.W. Brooks
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Hmm. We’ve used straight, or diluted vinegar, but I want to try your way. We’ve a patio similar to your brickwork, plus we also have a few rock areas and it gets pretty bad. Looking forward to trying this, and glad I stopped over from the link party!
Hi Magic Mommy – I’ve seen it a few different ways. Last year we did it without the salt and added the salt this year, which I think helps, especially against the hot sun. Hugs, Holly
Will this kill plants, too? Or just weeds? I have a garden and want to know if it’s safe to use and not kill my plants.
READ the article!! She stated NOT to get it on or near the plants you want to keep alive!! It kills anything green in its path!
Hi Shannon – It’s ok my friend… we all support each other here. Hugs, Holly
Hi Shannon – It can and will kill anything green in its path. I would not use it directly on or near your flowers or plants, but in a pathway that is next to them should be fine. Hugs, Holly
Hi, it will kill plants too. When you use it, make sure it does not come in contact with the plants you want to keep. I used a similar recipe last summer and it did get rid of the weeds on my sidewalk.
That worked great! I love using natural things. Plus, usually cheaper. we did one year accidentally get a lot of vinegar on our lawn (long story). Yup. Great at killing weeds, grass, any sort of plant.
Hi Julie – I call it a milestone when my Hubby who has been programmed to believe the more chemicals the better actually reaches for the all-natural weed killer and comments on how great it works. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
Good to know, thanks. I’ll try this out this year. I’d much rather stay away form anything too toxic.
Hi Julie – Awesome, good luck! Hugs, Holly
Thank goodness! I was wondering if there was such a thing! Pinning for later! <3
Hi Jill – Yes, there is! Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Holly
Do you have any ideas for a weed killer safe to use on grass?
This will kill anything green in its path, including grass. Hugs, Holly
Thank you Holly, for sharing this non-lethal way to get rid of those pesky weeds.
Hi Julie – Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Hi!
I love that this is a natural DIY way as I have been having issues with weeds and refuse to use chemicals to get rid of them. However, I have a puppy and two indoor cats (so they aren’t too worry about) but many outdoor neighbor cats. Is this safe to use around animals?? I’ve had a friend loose a kitty due to lawn pesticides and am very afraid of using anything. Please shed some light on this, thanks! ☀️
Hi Bailey – I’ve received a few questions on the safety for pets and actually added a piece in the article. Thank you for inquiring. We don’t have a cat or dog (just Mr. Swimmy) but based on a little research, this “should” be safe to use around pets. Much safer than Roundup for sure. Just like humans, all animals are different so use your best judgement and do a little research too. I’ve had some feedback where folks have used plain ole boiling water with success, but I haven’t done that yet. Hope this helps. Hugs, Holly
Your video does not show you using the salt? Have you eliminated the salt from the mixture?
Hi Walter – The video was from last year, and I added salt this year to make it a little stronger. I like it with the salt better. Thanks for stopping by! Holly
What about Pet’s will it effect them in anyway please ?
Hi Michael – I’ve received a few questions on the safety for pets and actually added a piece in the article. Thank you for inquiring. We don’t have a cat or dog (just Mr. Swimmy) but based on a little research, this “should” be safe to use around pets. Much safer than Roundup for sure. Just like humans, all animals are different so use your best judgement and do a little research too. I’ve had some feedback where folks have used plain ole boiling water with success, but I haven’t done that yet. Hope this helps. Holly
I’m convinced the vinegar method does work. I also have pavers and my question: How do you get rid of the dead weeds between pavers which turn an ugly brown?
Hi Cally – I have a little garden tool (not sure what it’s called) but it fits in the cracks just enough to lift them out. Unless ours are really obnoxious, we just keep the dead ones in the pavers. Hope this helps. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon. Hugs, Holly
Do you have solution for these pesky bugs. Flies, mosquitoes, gnats, etc.
Liquid soap and warm water in a spray container, kills white and green fly Sheila Ruffin.
I am going to try this as I have a large amount of block paving , can I use any type of washing up liquid , vinegar etc I apologise if sounding a tad dense
We’ve used vinegar for years to kill off any fire ant hills close to the house, but never considered using specifically on weeds…awesome! Just one question…being that glyphosate is a chemical non-selective herbicide, why/when, or more importantly, who sprays any produce with it???
Does this damage red clay brick?