How do you get rid of weeds naturally? Three household items could kill them permanently

Natural weed control methods are typically safer to employ since they do not potentially harm your family, pets or the environment

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Weeds thrive in unhealthy soil, but even when gardeners try their hardest to keep their soil as good as possible, they can still struggle with pesky weeds. And increasingly people are searching for natural solutions. Luckily, gardening experts at Summit Turf Services have shared their top ways to kill weeds permanently in gardens to ensure they no longer return, as reported by The Express.

They explained: “Targeting and killing the plant’s root is what permanently kills weeds. You can use natural and manufactured weed killers; however, they will ultimately come back if the plant’s root survives.

“There are numerous products available that may help you get rid of weeds. However, some products contain harmful chemicals. So, you may be wondering what kills weeds permanently naturally.”

Natural weed control methods are typically safer to employ since they do not potentially harm your family, pets, or the environment. For example, mulching in the garden with newspaper is one natural technique to keep weeds at bay, which should hinder their development while maintaining the soil’s nutrition.

Read more: How do you deter cats and rats from your garden? Common 19p item will keep them away

The experts continued: “Other natural options include using everyday household items, proven as effective herbicides. For example, gardeners have employed salt and vinegar, both readily available and inexpensive, to battle weeds successfully.”

To kill weeds, some amateur gardeners recommend combining salt, soap and vinegar. The gardening pros shared their thoughts on this method. They said: “Together, these household items create a potent mixture to eliminate weeds to ensure they won’t come back.

“As a herbicidal mixture, gardeners often combine salt, vinegar, and their favourite dish soap in the following proportions: one gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt, and one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent.

“Vinegar and salt will dry out weeds and grass, whereas the dish soap helps the vinegar and salt to cling to the leaves rather than absorbing the mixture. If utilised correctly, they can be an effective herbicide as the weeds will dry up and die in a few hours.”

Gardening pros at The Expert Gate company also agreed with using this method to kill weeds. They said: “Using weed killer is effective, but it might harm your other plants, so home remedies are always a great natural option. For example, mixing vinegar, salt and soap together.”

According to the experts at Summit Turf Services vinegar can also be used just with washing up liquid. They said: “Vinegar is considered a contact herbicide and can kill weeds and undesirable plants by drying out the leaves above ground. However, it only works on weeds with shallow roots and weed seedlings.

“You will need two cups of household vinegar along with half a tablespoon of dish soap to create your vinegar herbicide. Vinegar is fantastic to keep on hand for your gardening requirements.”

Combine the ingredients in a plastic spray bottle. Then, spray the mixture in places where you want to eliminate weeds, taking care not to spray nearby plants.

The experts advised gardeners to choose a brand of soap that is a detergent, not an anti-bacterial version. Reapply herbicide to older and more established weeds to keep them from re-growing. Reapplying will weaken the weeds, eventually killing them.

Another item that households will have in their cupboards that will help to rid outdoor areas of weeds is bleach. The experts said: “Bleach can also be an effective home treatment for weeds because it increases the pH of the soil, helping it to become more alkaline and inhibiting the development of weeds.

“Of the DIY mixtures used to kill weeds, bleach is by far the most hazardous. Nevertheless, it has the same potency as a herbicide as a household cleaner, so use caution. Bleach is a household chemical that should not be tampered with, especially in areas you are trying to cultivate nearby plants.”

To avoid skin irritation, wear protective clothing, such as gloves. Apply one cup of bleach, undiluted, to the afflicted area, then wait until the weeds turn brown before pulling them out of the ground.

Run water around the area to flush out the remaining bleach, especially for those who are trying to grow plants or grass in that area.