If you mean a homemade weed killer, many online recipes claim that a mixture can “dry everything in 2 hours,” but results are often exaggerated. A homemade spray may burn the leaves of small weeds, especially in sunny weather, but it usually does not kill the roots, so many weeds can grow back.
A common non-commercial approach is:
Vinegar-based weed spray (for cracks and unwanted areas)
Ingredients
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) household vinegar (higher-strength horticultural vinegar works better than kitchen vinegar)
- A few drops of dish soap (helps the spray stick to leaves)
How to use
- Spray directly onto the leaves of weeds on a dry, sunny day.
- Avoid spraying desirable plants—the solution can damage grass, flowers, and vegetables too.
- Reapply if weeds regrow.
Important cautions
- Salt mixtures are sometimes recommended online, but salt can damage soil for a long time and prevent other plants from growing.
- Vinegar sprays work best on young weeds; deep-rooted weeds may need repeated removal.
- For garden beds, pulling weeds, mulching, or using ground covers is often safer for surrounding plants.
For the quickest non-chemical control, hand-pulling after rain, hoeing, or covering weeds with mulch/cardboard often works better long term because it removes or blocks the root system.
