HomeMade Weed Killer - DIY Weed Killer - Before and After

I tested 3 different products that many people have at home and that people recommend to kill weeds. In this video you will find out what I used, see the weeds before, see what worked after 2 day and what still worked after 2 weeks.
Jeff Seeton Lawn Care is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Weed Barrier / Landscape Fabric:
USA amzn.to/4bW2Eiv
Canada amzn.to/4503loI
Cleanning Vinegar
This product is a available on amazon through my amazon affiliate link. :
USA: amzn.to/3Rffuk6
Cleanning Vingar
In Canada, this product is available through my affiliate link and is comparable to the one used in this video:
amzn.to/44Ocd0I

[@gwilos]

I have used table salt with the vinegar, and dishwashing liquid in the cracks and it has worked fantastically. I have not tried it without salt.

[@Carol-y6c]

I agree with you inexpensive and easy with good results

[@paulacurran3091]

The best combination is dish soap, cleaning vinegar and epsom salts. The bleach is effective, but is less safe to use. You need to add the salt to your vinegar / soap combination for a more effective solution.

[@JeanBearden]

I put 50 lbs of rock salt on a large area of weeds and then sprayed vinegar liberally and the weeds died and did not come back for 2 years.

[@spicym7669]

Mix the Salt with the Vinegar and sprey it, works wonders.

[@veronicacruz5085]

Regular salt?

[@CHELITA1BONITITA]

great to know!!!

[@squishysnoogz]

My weeds are by my sand point well. Do you think putting down that much rock salt would be a problem?

[@perrywilliams2484]

Mix a few tablespoons ir quarter cup of dish soap to the mixture. Also, that will help it stick to the plants (on a sunny day). Sun will help dry out the plant. You can also mix alcohol, regular rubbing alcohol. Will also help dry out moisture from plants and leaves.

[@MarkJeselnick]

What to try something else. It worked for me over an area with landscaping rocks. Rock salt. Lay heavy over the rocks. Let the rain over time will dissolve the salt into the soil. What happens? It raises the acidity in the soil. No green plant will grow for six months. It is hilarious, I liked living in apartments, though it is a lot less to live in a house. How about a recipe: 1 pound of rotini pasta boil drain. 1 package of Good Seasons Salad dressing - prepared on the package. 1 bunch of broccolli boiled/drained or steamed, 2 cans of black olives, halved or whole, drained, and 3-4 plum tomatoes cubed. Combine all ingredients, salt on plate only. Watch out, it can be addictive. I personally am addicted to the raw air. Good day! Thank you for posting.

[@teejay622]

Great video Jeff. Comparing them side by side was a great idea and was extremely helpful. I'd never heard of using bleach for weeds. I'd be unwilling to spray chlorine on my ground though because I have a garden and a well. I know we're talking about somewhat small doses but I just avoid chlorine whenever possible. The 20% cleaning vinegar was a great suggestion. Without that tip I would have used regular distilled vinegar and gave up on vinegar altogether with those results. I plan to use your suggestion tomorrow. Thank you for such a thorough video. The two week follow-up and wrap-up at the end was a big plus. Well done. A suggestion, if I may, when you are filming the beds, try to slow down the camera action a bit to allow the viewer to focus and take in the details. I'm not complaining at all. I'm just saying that I've found that when I film something for the viewer to "observe", the result is 100% more effective when I pan really slowly as it allows the eye to take in more detail. Again, I'm not complaining or critiquing. This video was a huge help to me and I loved every bit of it. I'm just trying to share something that has really worked well for me and has helped my video quality. Keep em comin Jeff. This is the first of your videos I have seen but based on just this one video I'm subbing for sure. Got you on my rainday list. Thats the list of videos and channels I dive into on rains days since I'm stuck in the house - lol. Thanks for the tips. Be well.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Let me know how that vinegar works for you.

[@jakefriesenjake]

I'm pretty sure bleach would leave less of an impact than vinegar. Bleach evaporates. I used to have a huge aquarium and used lots of bleach in my day. Bleach is toxic to fish. After I cleaned my filters and equipment with bleach and rinced, I let it evaporate. Now it's safe to put back in the aquarium. Vinegar is also safe for an aquarium. Used it to dissolve calcium build up on pumps. Rinced and put back into the aquarium

[@Elsa-qy9hr]

22% acid Vinegar also wiped out fungus/mold growing on my edging stones 😊 thanks. 6% is pretty good too

[@GOESCH77304]

Thank you for the gardening advice too

[@mr.boniato6402]

Also, make sure to never mix bleach and vinegar.

[@SRobinson1485]

Why?

[@mr.boniato6402]

@@SRobinson1485 extremely toxic!

[@dennispalmer6007]

I have used 10% vinegar undiluted plus sawn soap for a couple of years. It kills almost all of the weeds however they come back. I will try the salt probably at a higher rate as you need the salt to remain in the soil to keep weeds from growing back.

[@shed.projects5150]

I love the part at 5.12 where your saying not to spray if there is any wind, and the tree behind you is blowing away in a good stiff breeze, cheered me up no end. I use 80% industrial vinegar, it's amazing! even my neighbours grass won't grow now. Goo tip: Put a drop of Whisky in your water when watering the grass, and when it grows, it is already half cut. ( British saying for being a little drunk). But seriously, good vid, and thanks for sharing. (liked)😁😁

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Seriously right, the wind was completely still until I mention not spraying in the wind and, as if on cue, it started blowing.

[@ART95129]

I didn't even notice the tree. I was focusing on his hair to see if it moved; not a wiggle. It felt like my dad scolding me, so I was thinking yeah, that wind better not blow a bit, sir. 😂

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

I use extra strength "cleaning" vinegar with salt. I used to also add potassium permanganate as an added oxidizer, but that particular chemical is not always available, though it greatly adds to the effectiveness. The vinegar and salt works for me, but it often takes more than one application.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

What acidic level are you using?

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare :- I'm not at home, but I think it was 15%

[@reginaldpotts2037]

I have a water softener and use the salt saturated waste water from that and mix 50/50 with 20% cleaning vinegar & a squirt of dish soap which works the best.

[@gpeterkin18]

I used 45% vinegar, tablesalt, and dawn. Wiped it out in a day. And no grow back.

[@sandrahunt6199]

Industrial vinegar and Epsom salt and dish liquid

[@joylindsay6005]

😮🎉🎉🎉

[@joylindsay6005]

😮😅😅

[@geodegroot8310]

Very informative vid. There is a chorus of laughter after your cautionary tale of eye protection, masks, gloves, and application without wind, as you hose your bleach in cut-off shorts 🙂 My effective preference is shorts on a warm day with a back-pack sprayer full of 2-4-D, glyphosate, and dish soap....much more effective, and it wipes out the root. Whatever is left over after a week gets the blow torch.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Seriously right! There wasn't a hint of wind until I mentioned it. Thanks for watching.

[@TheTaraLund]

Very interesting Jeff and definitely good to know.

[@squirellvr57]

A cup of salt to your vinegar solution as well.

[@maribol390]

Epsom salt should have salt

[@Lifespot-ep7vr]

not good for plants that are near..

[@denisesorenson4000]

So my trick is I use the Ice melt for snow. I buy bags of the stuff and use a cup to spread, and (gloves). I use it year round on my weeds around my driveway and landscap. It is not perfect but, I think if I add the vinegar I'll have the best results. Where do I get 22% vinegar??

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I have never used that before. I will give it a try.

[@leobookman7647]

Harry Bosch thanks for the video!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

lol, you are welcome.

[@victorlust9473]

Hey Jeff. Good video. I always thought that vinegar is just a a contact herbicide and will wilt/kill the blade but not the roots. This would mean you need to reapply a few weeks later. What is your expereince 2 - 3 weeks later ? Have the weeds come back ?

[@-AnyWho-]

you were supposed to put table salt in with normal vinegar, like 1 gallon vinegar with 1 cup salt and some dish soap ...

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

That is one way of doing it for sure. I have another video where I followed the vinegar, salt and soap mixture.

[@derrickwilson5562]

love these type of videos.

[@MIND9988T]

What a great job buddy. U got a new sub. 😃

[@willhickey_]

Hi Jeff! Another classic from you! Keep up the great effort, great lawn! Do you use natural fertilizer? Like poop

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Thank you. Yes I will use natural fertilizers like hen/chicken manures. I tend to use them as a soil amendments.

[@Niamh07421]

we also add salt to our vinegar and soap - works great

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Yeah I just did a video on that mixture: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGXLeYKeodWHoZo

[@Niamh07421]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare I'll have to watch -

[@justlooking8683]

Need to try again, use very strong vinegar water mixture,salt, but no dish washing liquid, did not want to deal with bubbles.

[@jakefriesenjake]

I'm sure you can buy surfactant with no bubble action. But you need soap in there. Soap allows the liquid to go around individual plant cells and parts, so the other chemicals can soak in close. With no soap, the liquid could just bounce off and bead on the surface with low contact. That is how soap and water in human showers get people clean. Soap allows the water to go around the dirt, the bubbles float the dirt away, and other parts of the soap help dissolve some oils and greases. Imagine a greasy oily duck. Hit it with a garden hose, it won't hardly clean it at all. Hit it with soapy water hose, it will penetrate the surface easier.

[@LJSask]

Jeff thanks for a great video on weed control and you don’t need to answer the idiots who are commenting on your sun safety 😂omg it’s a sad world we are living in - I’m sure you know how to protect yourself !!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Thanks

[@jerisbrown884]

Rock salt will do it. I used it on my front porch and it melted off on to the ground. It killed my grass, and my shrubs. I still don't have any grass there and that was winter of 2022

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I have had to deal with that on my lawn several years back when a salt truck dumped a bunch of salt on my lawn one winter. I ended up digging that spot out (including 4 or 5 inches of soil, filling it back up and reseeding.

[@anncairns1099]

Rock salt 😲Wow! Never thought of that 👍 our gravel driveway and walkway is a huge problem with weeds, Thank you 😊

[@stevedraper3212]

You should be careful spraying any type of corrosive around central air units, especially when they are running; because the aluminum fins are susceptible to corrosion.

[@JimFrye-ub3kq]

You could use a little sun screen my friend.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

My daughters told me that as well.

[@javiermancheno8531]

THANKS !

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

You are welcome.

[@richardkowalski9645]

Salt is great stuff. When Rome defeated Carthage they salted everything!

[@bigeasylivin1]

⛔️⛔️⛔️ I’m reading if you add arthritis rub it’s a liquid it makes it so much stronger but is it safe is it natural I don’t know maybe you could tell me

[@DianeMoseley-qc9tu]

I have alot of dandelion weeds a mass of them all over my garden in the gravel and I have a small lawn it that cores grass I call my garden from hell it's so hard to keep weeding what strong weed killer would you recommend please

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Where are you located?

[@chriswampler1]

what about those giant bags of salt pellets used in water softeners? Can that be used in areas where weeds are problematic? Can they be strewn around and left where they lay? Rain will slowly dissolve the pellets during rains.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I wouldn't do that because the damage it would do to the soil. If you are not planning on planting anything there for a while then it could work.

[@karentriche1339]

Do any kill creepin charlie

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I have used 25% acidic vinegar on creeping charlie and killed it. It is non selective so it can kill or grass too.

[@deejo2]

Question: I have weeds & unwanted grass growing in an area around my hedge bushes. Of course I won't spray the bushes directly but I'm concerned if the mixture will seep into the ground enough to affect the roots of the them. Any helpful response will be greatly appreciated.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

If you are using a small amount and only spraying the leave/blades of the unwanted weeds/grass then you would be alright. If it were me I would add a woven landscape fabric/weed barrier. I have a couple of videos on my channel on them. They will prevent things from growing up and through them. Weed seeds can still land in mulch or whatever you put on top of the barrier and could grow but removing them is easy.

[@deejo2]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare I'll watch the other videos about the cover. I think that makes more sense in this case. Thank you! I really appreciate your response.

[@CHELITA1BONITITA]

great VIDEO!!!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Thanks!!

[@boogiegirl4276]

You forgot to add salt to the vinegar and dawn.😊😊😊

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I did another video with that combination kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGXLeYKeodWHoZo

[@ddoolittle3033]

add salt

[@lynn-gk9zl]

That was great thank you

[@JamesFoley-w4o]

Get 45% VINAGAR/ SOAP/ SOME EPSOM SALT

[@cclancy1677]

Where did you get the sprayer for the unit you used?

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

It is a Ryobi 18v sprayer, homedepot

[@cclancy1677]

Thank you!

[@billw9904]

Stir don't shake, NO Bubbles!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

When I do shake, I let the bubbles settle before use. I will make sure to highlight that in future videos, I appreciate your advice, thanks

[@cooknwoman]

Would 22% cleaning vinegar kill beneficial soil life, fungi, earthworms etc? We have an acre with lots of ground we don't use that gets covered in weeds, we're both getting up in years and have disabilities. I'd love to use this but don't want to kill the soil life. Thanks much!!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

If you were to pour the vinegar directly into the soil then it can impact the biodiversity. Spraying on the leaves of weeds will break down very quickly and not have an impact on your soil.

[@cooknwoman]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare thanks Jeff, I'll be careful not to spray too much, maybe do it little at a time so it won't drip onto the ground

[@helpful5539]

Worried about salt eating up my sprayer as I don't just have a few small spots. I suppose I can just pull out the pump and try to do a good cleanup on that and be ok, but I don't know. And is it hard on these small hand sprayers? Does anyone know if this is a big deal?

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I didn't use salt with any of these products. I do use my spray to fertilize and liquid fertilizers contain salt and can be corrosive. I always rinse my sprayers well after use.

[@Turningtables226]

Are any of these animal safe?

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I would not use any of these in an area where animals could come into contact with them. There are several brands of 20% vinegar that say that pets can access an area 24 hours after it was sprayed. I would recommend reading the label of any product that you are thinking of using before you use it. You want to best inform yourself before using it.

[@Turningtables226]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare thank you for the knowledge!

[@janettelouden4967]

I use 45% vinegar only and it kills weeds fast !!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I am currently doing a video of a popular mixture that includes a 23% to 25% vinegar. I will have it up after the 7 day mark, which is Friday.

[@cathysteele924]

Everyone is talking about using this over things like gravel or pavement. What about using it for Bermuda grass growing into a tree ring? Very thick mulch, but is there any risk of damaging the roots of the trees? Some were planted this year, some last year, so they are not well-established. Thanks for any help!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Spraying vinegar on the blades of grass that are close to a well established tree would not normally hurt the tree. That being said, vinegar can temporarily change the ph of the soil so always use with caution around plants that you do not want to damage. Around trees I always put a woven style weed barrier/landscape fabric. This will stop weeds and grass growth from underneath the fabric but does prevent seeds or creeping grass from grow on top of it. When that happens I simply rake up the majority of the mulch lift the fabric and dump the remaining mulch , relay the fabric and then top with new mulch. See my other videos for info on choosing weed barrier/ landscape fabric.

[@albertkikstra]

Sunscreen?

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I know right. I am normally wearing a 30 to 50 spf as a head spray.

[@BonitaBiech]

I dont think rubbing alcohol would kill weeds. I use rubbing alcohlo on my house plants when they get bugs and it works good without 10:26 killing any plants. I use 70%.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Yeah, it really didn't do anything. It is one of those remedies that people suggest to kill weeds. I had to try it to show that it actually doesn't work. The 23% to 25% vinegar was a champ though.

[@victoryfirst2878]

What kills birdsfoot trefoil and not the grass ??? Thanks

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

That is a tough weed to control, digging them up and leaving a tiny piece of their taproot and it will grow back . Par III will do it though but it is on the expensive side. So too can a product that combines 2 or more of these: 2,4-D, dicamba, triclopyr, MCPP and/or MCPA.

[@victoryfirst2878]

I am wondering if this will also deal with lesser celandine Jeff ?? Thank you Sir. @@JeffSeetonLawnCare

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

@@victoryfirst2878 I have used 25% acidic vinegar with a surfactant to eliminate lessor celandine.

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare Thanks so much Jeff. WIll hit them with the power of vinegar No salt needed ?? Good day fella. v.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

@@victoryfirst2878 no salt required. It may require a second application . Make sure to completely soak the plant and wear protective equipment.

[@nonamewhorehey7174]

why cant you just say dawn dishwashing soap, man? Thinking out loud, do whatever blows ya dress up…. Thanks for taking the time to test the different methods for what its worth.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I do say Dawn a few times. I figure that most will figure out that I was talking about dish soup. I use the term "surfactant" because it leaves it open for those that buy other types of expensive surfactants.

[@nonamewhorehey7174]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare naw man its my fault for saying and thinking that out loud… I didnt mean it ugly… and after reading it, thats exactly what I sounded like… so, I apologize brother… you took the time and energy to do all those things for US… I am 100% grateful to you for that…. after watching a few other vids the same term was used and I just havent caught up to being with the program I guess… again, my apologies for sounding turdish… and thank you sir….

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Not a problem at all. I didn’t take it that way. I appreciated the comment I felt it was a legit question and deserve answer for sure. . @@nonamewhorehey7174

[@agaemar]

⁠@@JeffSeetonLawnCare Surfactant???You could have just said any dish soap 🙄

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

True@@agaemar

[@RobertLofrano]

Can you make a homemade pre emergent?

[@Ingeanous]

That is way too much your spraying on. 45% vinegar cut with 50% water and a little bit of soap works every time. Only a quick mist is needed.

[@Will97675]

I have always heard that vinegar and salt combined with dish soap is great but it changes the soil ph. I’m wanting to naturally kill weeds in my backyard, till it and broadcast grass seed. Any suggestions of a natural solution that won’t change soil ph?

[@junefyfe7223]

Great ut what about creeping plants under rooting ner healtht plants

[@ConnieAaron-mr2tm]

the sound was too low

[@spicym7669]

I'm going with 99% vinegar :)

[@christopherpaige406]

Bleach and dish detergent will make mustard gas!

[@geostorm9351]

Will this damage colored pea gravel?

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

If it is pea sized river rock than no it won't.

[@jimknerien6737]

I would say to take a pee around the area and see if it damages the gravel

[@mylovesongs2429]

be careful with 20% vinegar, or a higher than normal strength, which is around 5% or 10%. it is very harsh and dangerous stuff!

[@nadinechery7245]

Will those solutions damage the grass or will it still growing green

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Yes they are non selective, they will damage grass at the same level as weeds.

[@agnesseburey7484]

Please will this kill honey bees?

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Not unless you are going to spray the bees directly, which I am sure that you would not. There are no shortages of flowering plants and weeds in communities as many states and provinces have banned cosmetic herbicide use. I for me personally I make sure to have flowering plants in my gardens for the pollinators.

[@ConnieAaron-mr2tm]

The sound was not loud enough to understand

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Thank you for letting me know.

[@GOESCH77304]

Hey, Put some sunblock man. Protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun.

[@thebatmom]

It's really sad that you felt like you had to tell people to be careful with the bleach , it's scary how dumb some people are these days

[@wowyummyyy]

LIKE👍👍👍👍👍💫💯💫💯💫😻😻😻😻

[@robferrari1]

Did you dilute the 22% vinegar?

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Nope, but I did refer to it as 20%

[@thespencerjones]

2:30 “…22%…” 😂

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

@@thespencerjones yeah, referenced it as 22% then later said 20%, it is 22%.

[@judijackson4282]

Using bleach around any painted surfaces such as trim on houses is risky.

[@MrJaybizzel]

10:22 No, don’t do not dilute the vinegar. Just be careful not to let it blow back in your eyes/skin

[@monasparks4760]

Vinegar has only made the grass grow faster and thicker like food for your lawn. Have done it time and time again no vinegar salt soap water doesn't work

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

What acidic level of vinegar are you using? The stuff used on fish and chips won't cut it.

[@mommaoinnh2674]

$23 for a gallon of vinegar? Yikes!

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Yeah is it not cheap but keep in mind that a gallon of the 30% acidic vinegar is equal to 6 gallons of regular 5% acidic vinegar.

[@stephenantonicelli7069]

URINE

[@ImaginetMedia]

You need to learn how to record audio at proper levels.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Yeah, I had picked up a new wireless mic system that has been giving me a issues. I am working on it through. I have new video coming out this week on DEF which the audio is way, way better.

[@ImaginetMedia]

@@JeffSeetonLawnCare Your recorded level "may" have been fine. It is your exported audio level that matters. Two different issues. This video was exported with your audio at -14dB. You should always target your audio to peak at -6db when you export your final video before uploading. this is standard industry practice. Apply a compressor to your audio and set its peak to output -6 and you will be good to go. When recording, set the audio so your meters in your camera avearge -10 to -12 dB. Set the level as low as your camera will go and increase the output on your mics transmitter to reach -10 - 12. Use the mics preamps over your camera preamps. Check you video levels on KZbin by right clicking on the video as it plays. Select Stats for Nerds. Look at the Normalized Value value. Yours is -14. Pick any popular KZbinr in the video genre with hundreds of thousands of followers and do the same. They will all be close to -6.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

@@ImaginetMedia That is great advise, I will definitely do that.

[@barbaramoore7080]

I guess I need hearing aids.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

I didn't understand your comment? Was there an issue with your volume when watching the video?

[@cathysteele924]

She may have just been referring to the fact that she didn’t catch that you said 22% one time, and 20% during your subsequent reference.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

@@cathysteele924 That makes sense.

[@deusvult6632]

Be careful cause bleach or viniger can cause you to burn up in flames if you get it on you. Lol...

[@luragee4204]

Jeff, please start wearing a hat & applying sunscreen to your poor face. I know too many people getting skin cancer, especially on their ears, heads & faces. 😢

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

Yes, I hear that from my family all the time. I do apply an SPF30 a couple of times a day but I still brown and sometimes red. A little more focus will be taken on it this up coming year. I do appreciate your advice and concern.

[@LJSask]

And how’s about you @luragee4204 get a life! Critiquing the man’s sunscreen safety is really ridiculous comment on a subject of weed control - 🤦‍♀️😳

[@Will-bp2yc]

My wife got a melanoma, on her scalp. She hated wearing a hat. Doctor removed it and saved her life! Horrible skin graft, scalp is ruined. This is no joke! Where a hat, and where long sleeves in the sun.

[@JeffSeetonLawnCare]

@@Will-bp2yc For sure I will. I use a high on my exposed skin as well as a scalp spray. I do appreciate your advice and experience.

[@Herbie11]

Sunscreen causes cancer!