That claim is almost certainly an exaggeration.
No household product or homemade spray can reliably burn weeds in one day and guarantee they never grow back. Most “miracle weed killer” posts oversell the results.
What actually happens?
Many viral recipes use:
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Dish soap
These mixtures can burn the leaves of some weeds quickly, making them appear dead within hours or a day. However, the roots often survive, especially for perennial weeds, and the plants can regrow.
Why “never grow again” is misleading
Many weeds spread through:
- Deep roots
- Rhizomes (underground stems)
- Seeds already in the soil
Killing the visible top growth doesn’t necessarily eliminate these sources of regrowth.
About salt
Salt can kill plants, but it:
- Can persist in the soil
- May prevent desirable plants from growing
- Can damage surrounding vegetation
That’s why it’s generally not recommended for garden beds where you want to grow other plants.
More effective long-term approaches
Depending on the weed and location:
- Pulling weeds with the roots
- Mulching
- Landscape fabric in appropriate areas
- Repeated cultivation
- Targeted herbicides used according to label instructions
