White vinegar weed killer: How to make a weed killer with white vinegar in 2 easy steps

WEEDS can spread rapidly in any garden, cropping up where they are least wanted. White vinegar can act as an effective weed killer, saving you money and time - here's how to make a weed killer with white vinegar.

By Georgina Laud, Engagement Editor

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As the summer months arrive, our gardens are the place to spend time, host friends and family and generally enjoy. Getting the into tip-top shape after a long and cold winter can be time-consuming, especially when it comes to weeding.

Weeding can be a strain, both physically and on your time with hardy weeds spreading to all corners of your garden, in between pavements and even among your plants.

While stores sell weed killer, and you can pull by hand, you can save money - and time - by making your own weed killer.

Often store-bought weed killers are high in chemical content, so for a more natural method, you can opt for white vinegar.

White vinegar's high acidity is ideal for targeting weeds and removing them for good.

Read More: Baking soda: the three most useful ways to use it in your garden

White vinegar weed killer

White vinegar weed killer: How to make a weed killer with white vinegar - 2 easy steps (Image: GETTY)

Depending on the hardiness of the weed you could see results as soon as an hour after spritzing with white vinegar.

However, make sure you avoid spraying the mixture on any plants you wish to keep, as it can kill those too.

You will need to grab yourself some white vinegar, table salt, washing up liquid and a spray bottle.

So read on for the best way to kill weeds with white vinegar.

White vinegar weed killer: Weeds on driveway

White vinegar weed killer: Weeds can wreak havoc in gardens and driveways (Image: GETTY)

White vinegar weed killer: White vinegar

White vinegar weed killer: Make sure you avoid spraying the mixture on any plants you wish to keep, as it can kill those too (Image: GETTY)

How to make a weed killer with white vinegar

White vinegar - including five percent household vinegar - is ideal for this method.

For quicker results you can opt for higher concentration vinegar such as 10 or 20 percent, however, this can be costly.

You will need

  • 1 litre of white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons of salt
  • 3 tablespoons of washing up liquid
  • Spray bottle

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Add the salt to the vinegar in a jug and stir until the salt has dissolved.

Then add the washing up liquid and mix once more.

Pour the mixture into your spray bottle and you are ready to get spraying.

For the best results, spray any weeds at noon, when the sun is at its highest.

White vinegar weed killer: Dandelions

White vinegar weed killer: Spray the mixture directly onto the weed's leaves (Image: GETTY)

The sun will aid the mixture in drying out the weeds and speed up killing them.

Be careful where you spray as if any of the mixture gets on regular plants, it can destroy them too.

This mixture can also turn your soil acidic, so it may be best to use on any weeds between paving stones rather than amongst flowerbeds or in your lawn.

To get rid of dandelions and small weeds spritz your white vinegar solution onto the leaves.

For bigger weeds which have set root both spray the leaves and pour onto the plant to target the roots.

You should see weeds shrinking away within an hour.

For weeds in your lawn, best opt for a store-bought weed killer or pull by hand to avoid destroying your grass.

Other methods include using boiling water or dish soap, however again you may risk damaging your lawn itself.

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