If you mean a homemade weed killer, there are several commonly used recipes, but it’s important to know that many DIY herbicides are non-selective—they can damage grass, flowers, vegetables, and other plants you want to keep.
Simple homemade weed spray (for weeds in cracks and hard surfaces)
Ingredients
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) white vinegar (higher-acidity horticultural vinegar works faster)
- 1 teaspoon dish soap (helps the mixture stick to leaves)
Method
- Mix the vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle.
- Spray directly onto the leaves of unwanted weeds on a dry, sunny day.
- Avoid spraying nearby desirable plants.
For better results
- Apply when weeds are actively growing.
- Reapply after new growth appears.
- Pull or remove dead weeds afterward to reduce regrowth.
Important cautions
- Salt-based recipes are often shared online, but salt can build up in soil and make it difficult for plants to grow there.
- Vinegar sprays mainly damage the leaves; many deep-rooted weeds may grow back.
- Avoid spraying near ponds, streams, or areas where runoff could affect other plants or wildlife.
- Wear gloves and avoid getting concentrated vinegar on skin or in eyes.
For lawns or gardens, a targeted approach (mulch, hand removal, or a selective herbicide suited to the specific weed) is often safer than a homemade spray. If you tell me the weed you’re trying to remove and where it’s growing (lawn, driveway cracks, vegetable garden, etc.), I can suggest the best approach.
