How to Make Your Own Homemade Weed Killer

Ingredients

• White vinegar (containing 5-10% Acetic Acid)
• Dish soap
• Water

Instructions

1. Mix one gallon of white vinegar with one cup of dish soap.
2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
3. Shake well before use.
4. Spray the solution directly onto the weeds, making sure to cover the leaves thoroughly.
5. Reapply as needed.

Best For: Broadleaf weeds, annual weeds, and young, actively growing plants.

Effectiveness: Good for common garden weeds with tender foliage.

Ingredients

• White vinegar
• Salt (also known as Sodium Chloride)

Instructions

1.  Mix one gallon of white vinegar with two cups of salt.
2. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
3. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
4. Apply the mixture directly onto the weeds, avoiding contact with nearby plants.
5. Be cautious with this solution, as salt can affect soil health and may not be suitable for all areas.

Best For: Perennial weeds, especially those growing in pavement cracks or driveways.

Effectiveness: Ideal for weeds in areas where you want to prevent regrowth.

Ingredients

• White vinegar
• Citrus oil (orange or lemon)
• Dish soap

Instructions

1. Combine one gallon of white vinegar with one ounce of citrus oil.
2. Add a small amount of dish soap to the mixture.
3. Mix well and transfer to a spray bottle.
4. Spray the solution on the weeds, ensuring good coverage.

Best For: Broadleaf weeds.

Effectiveness: Citrus oil may be effective against various weed species due to its natural acids.

Ingredients

• Boiling water

Instructions

1. Boil a pot of water.
2. Carefully pour the boiling water directly onto the weeds.
3. This method is most effective for weeds growing in pavement cracks or driveways.
4. Exercise caution to avoid harming desirable plants.

Best For: Weeds growing in pavement cracks, driveways, and other hard surfaces.

Effectiveness: Suitable for small areas and can be an immediate, non-chemical solution.

Ingredients

• Epsom salt
• Liquid Dish soap
• Water

Instructions

1. Mix 2 cups of Epsom salt with a quarter cup of dish soap.
2. Add the mixture to 1 gallon of water.
3. Stir well until the Epsom salt is dissolved.
4. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
5. Spray on weeds, targeting the leaves and stems.

Best For: Broadleaf weeds.

Effectiveness: The Epsom salt can help dehydrate and damage the leaves of certain plants.

Ingredients

• Corn gluten meal
• Water

Instructions

1. Sprinkle corn gluten meal around the base of established plants.
2. Water the area to activate the corn gluten.
3. This method can prevent weed seeds from germinating.

Best For: Weed seeds.

Effectiveness: Acts as a pre-emergent weed control method, preventing weed seeds from germinating. Best used in areas where you want to inhibit new weed growth.

Ingredients

• Essential oils (e.g., clove, cinnamon, tea tree)
• Water

Instructions

1. Mix 10-15 drops of essential oil with 1 cup of water.
2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
3. Spray on weeds, focusing on the leaves.

Best For: Broadleaf weeds.

Effectiveness: Essential oils such as clove, cinnamon, or tea tree may have herbicidal properties and can be effective against certain weed species.

Ingredients

• Unsulfured molasses
• Water

Instructions

1. Mix 1 cup of molasses with 1 gallon of water.
2. Stir until the molasses is well-dissolved.
3. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
4. Spray on weeds, preferably on a sunny day.

Best For: General weed growth.

Effectiveness: Molasses can help suppress weed growth, and this spray is particularly suitable for areas where you want to inhibit overall weed development.

Ingredients

• Baking soda
• Water

Instructions

1. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 gallon of water.
2. Stir until the baking soda dissolves.
3. Apply the solution directly to weeds.

Best For: Broadleaf weeds.

Effectiveness: Baking soda can alter the pH of the soil and inhibit weed growth. It is particularly useful for targeting specific plants without affecting others.