DIY Weed Killer that is SAFE and EFFECTIVE

This weed killer is easy to make with things you probably already have at home. I get asked a lot about killing weeds "safely". I personally think all weed control is safe if you follow the label and wear your PPE, but here is a good option for those super concerned.
Mix:
1 gallon distilled white vinegar
1 cup of table salt
splash of dawn dish soap or surfactant
Round up sprayer: amzn.to/2XjJ7Yo
My4sons backpack sprayer: thelawnwhisperer.net/products...
Cool season lawn care guide: thelawnwhisperer.net/products...
The whisperer pack (products I use on my lawn): thelawnwhisperer.net/products...

[@Fireworxs2012]

*This recipe has been around forever. When I was a teenager, (I'm 61) I worked as an assistant greenskeeper (think Caddyshack) at a large Golf Course in Iowa. This was the GO TOO recipe for weed killing in and around the outbuildings, driving range, parking lots and swimming pool areas. That was almost 50 years ago. (A gallon of vinegar cost .25 back then...By the way...The salt is really optional, and you don't need a full cup/per/gallon. 1/4 cup will do just fine, and it won't poison the ground. The hotter and drier the weather, the faster more effective it is, but it really needs a full 24 hours for complete effectiveness. If you have any harder than average to kill weeds, hitt'em with the 30% vinegar concentrate. We used that stuff to kill unwanted trees. Worked every time*

[@virtual1956]

and how do you kill the tree?

[@Fireworxs2012]

@@virtual1956 *Are you playing Devil's Advocate, looking for an argument or are you really that stupid?*

[@MichelleneFryson]

What was the application to kill the tree? Did you just poor the gallon at the base?

[@InnerLifePhotography]

What if we already sowed the vegetable and fruits seeds.? Would it effect the seeds

[@Fireworxs2012]

@@InnerLifePhotography*It's a defoliator. It kills everything it touches. If you spray it on the ground where seeds are planted, as soon as the seeds germinate, it will kill them. Don't use it anywhere you don't want bare ground*

[@vrod1a]

Don’t forget to thoroughly wash the sprayer and spray clean water through the nozzle, Vinegar will corrode all metal parts if left in the sprayer

[@uncaboat2399]

That's a good habit to get into no matter what you're putting in there. Who knows what effects all those other chemicals might have on the sprayer parts.

[@RosieBaseball]

I've used this formula a few times and it actually lasts one year and then I have to do it again next year. The key is to remove the entire root. I remove the weeds by hand and then pour this mix into the area to kill the roots and it holds up to one year.

[@Juss10sMom]

I came to the comments to ask if this a temperary solutions. Thanks for your comment.

[@Steff2Def]

Same

[@Omar_Zazzle]

I did it in my front yard and now I am being sued by my HOA and city hall.

[@Juss10sMom]

@@Omar_Zazzle wait... WHAT??!! What is the grounds for the suit?

[@MrTommy001]

@@Omar_Zazzle Do you live up at Lake Tahoe or some other ridiculous tree hugging community that believes that all plant growth is protected?

[@bjspranger]

I sprayed my front driveway and this is by far the Best weed killer. I do have to go back and spray every couple of months because more weeds pop up but it really works!

[@redstingraycorvette]

I tried this vinegar add some salt and dish soap and it worked ,with in a week and a half all the weeds were back again so it does not kill the roots!

[@jordanjohnson5784]

Sounds pretty much like my results as well.

[@halfofmyheart3167]

Same!

[@DrStuden7]

You have to get rid of the roots by hand once it’s dry

[@lauralei6963]

@@DrStuden7So why not just dig them all up by hand to begin with,, instead of wasting home products.

[@davegarbie9731]

@@lauralei6963 easier to pull when dead

[@GrammyDawe]

I am DEFINITELY going to try this and you were excellent giving us all that awesome information. Take care!

[@linnette6493]

😂😂 I'm here for his sense of humor 😅 too!

[@jwlsngold5026]

That is my go to weed killer solution, I've also given this recipe to a few neighbors, it works great!! Thanks for sharing!! 👍

[@Egalitarian-bt7kz]

I use this all the time, a fantastic and inexpensive weed killer. I especially love it for weeds or grass in cracks of driveway, sidewalks or in the gutter. I’m now using it along backyard fence line…Thanks

[@colintoupin]

This guy moonlights as a comedian! Funny guy!

[@WooderBoyProductions]

30% vinegar works even better. Only need a little bit of it. And epson salt works even better than table salt. Sticks better to the plant.

[@TheLawnWhisperer]

🤙🏽

[@mysteriouse5891]

Yeah, it works great! 5% is not very aggressive

[@JonP_4-31inf]

I thought epsom salt was actually a good fert for the lawn. Magnesium or something like that in it.

[@aquienpuedainteresar4188]

30% will sterilize soil and nothing will grow for a while. I used dollar store cleaning vinegar, in between distilled and 30. I also substitute salt with borax also from dollar store.

[@SBow311]

Epsom salt is actually good for plants. It's great to sprinkle in flower beds because of a good dose of Magnesium. You can sprinkle Epsom salt on your lawn.

[@lindacarey6703]

Thank you. I like the idea of the plastic to control the spray. it looks like you edged it.

[@jrfrom617]

“Quick tip” 😂. Thanks for all the great advice and humor man!

[@lindabranch8294]

Definitely going to try this to make a barrier around my raised garden.

[@maribethcastroparada9676]

It works but better if you dont apply on a day where rain is expected. The sun will fry the weeds so more sun the better

[@Eric-ei6wk]

This is the mix I use around my garden planters. Works great and no glyphosate in my veggies

[@yvonnehall544]

Thanks for something safe will be using it...i pull weeds. Scratch that round up off your bottle. Thanks very effective by your demo.

[@deniseswenson6162]

I have used this method several times and works

[@dennishover4803]

Will try this week. Patio (brick) and driveway. Thanks!

[@Aerialphotovito]

A great and cheap solution , Ive used this too works pretty well

[@danettehouston7869]

Just what I was looking for and yes, I’m going to try it. I had heard about it a few years ago that it really worked but now I’m going to see for myself.

[@Cheech1111]

Thank you. My gardener keeps asking me if he can spray in my backyard and I keep telling him I have pets. So then he says roundup is better now… it’s all organic. Lol he never gives up.

[@user-hm5zb1qn6g]

Fire that guy.

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

SE Michigan use 30% vinegar mixture on trimmed weeds and unwanted grass works every-time

[@charleycavanaugh5414]

I am going to try this . Thank you for the Idea .

[@chrisniche932]

I'm trying this v right now, thanks bro!!

[@oneanswer4956]

Thank you! I am going to try this!

[@kiddozoo]

Use on a sunny, hot day and it works a little better and faster. I also read that epsom salts works better.

[@THEBEARDEDMUKFILMS]

If you have the extra money and want to kill the grass and weeds within the same area like me, I’d sprinkle salt all over the area, and then spray the mixture as well for double double killer! ;) gonna try it today!

[@davidestrella4330]

Thanks definitely trying this!

[@vinnypinatelli221]

I'm gonna try this for my back yard Reno

[@michaelwillcutt2619]

Remember you can long term damage to the soil from ever growing anything again with salt an make the acidic level to high for normal plant growth

[@free_at_last8141]

Fun video and I like this combination. Mix the salt and vinegar together to completion before pouring the dish soap in.

[@dennisjazz5142]

Yep and avoid suds

[@sandysue202]

Definitely trying this and not too long from now. I will just wait for some hotter days and here in S.W. Missouri, there will be many hotter days coming our way!

[@sibusisohlatshwayo4161]

Thank you for sharing, will definitely try it.

[@marianne8705]

I am trying this tomorrow!

[@sandypriessnitz4458]

I will try this. Thank you.

[@Jay_Speed]

Thanks for the tip, going to use this.

[@okielawnguy]

GrEAT resource. I’ll be trying this out.

[@adiamondndrough]

Doing this today, thanks man!

[@BobPeyton3]

Yes i will try this! Thanks!

[@AJfanboy1]

I tried this mixture several years ago, but gave up on it. It turned the weeds brown for a couple of weeks, but they came back again, and it seemed to me like they were even more resistant to the second spraying. That could have been my imagination, but they did continue to come back.

[@86GT11]

News Flash! They will come back even if you use the store bought stuff like Roundup.

[@cassieoz1702]

​@@86GT11 but not that quickly. It implies the weed might have 'browned off' but not been killed

[@angelathomas9579]

I will be trying this. Thank you

[@kathysparks571]

Will be using this in the rock bed by A/C unit.😎

[@BenNawrath]

I use this all the time. Works great, especially on hot days. Spray in the morning and hit the dead crispy stuff with the torch in the afternoon, and you e got yourself a nice little Saturday.

[@TheLawnWhisperer]

Pretty nice little Saturday!

[@hongsitu3429]

Umm why not just use the torch to begin with?

[@BenNawrath]

@@hongsitu3429 takes a lot more fuel to burn up a wet growing plant than a dried up one. But sure you can do that. Sometimes that’s exactly what I do.

[@fargnbastage]

@@BenNawrath what torch do you use?

[@BenNawrath]

@@fargnbastage I’ve got the one that looks like a candy cane that you put a propane bottle for a camping stove on. Same one as the video, I think. Got it at Home Depot.

[@juliez1539]

I use this solution often but I replace the salt with epsom salts. It works very well if you use it on SMALL weeds and grass when they just start to grow. Check often and spray again. If you keep doing it, it does work! I make sure that I use it on a sunny day, with no predictions of rain for a few days. It has saved me many, many hours of tedious weeding.

[@troyarthur829]

I have been using the same weed killing mixture for years, although when I mix it its without salt and I just use cheap dishsoap and about half the dishsoap amount as I use the vinegar and it works in a day or two to kill its target, plus a little tip is to heat up as you mix it. I use a pyrex glass measuring cup and a microwave, it blends together better( just warm it up a little) the soap only allows the vinegar to stick. The salt you use is what will damage areas so nothing will grow.

[@nuddie3]

Thanks I will try this👍🏽

[@jamesbrandow8491]

Liked your vid and I’m gonna try it. Thank you!

[@KCrowder1970]

Thanks, I'm going to try this

[@triciapoulos3180]

I have read on gardening sites that the use of vinegar and or salt on weeds will prevent growth of other plants on that site.

[@treylanf0rd]

Reminds me, I gotta go take care of my crack. Thanks.

[@stevenjohnson2063]

I don't think using it in the shower will do much for your crack 😜

[@user-nc5fl4zj4m]

Thank you great video also I just wanted to say I have used cleaning vinegar from the Dollar tree and the spa soap that has the really strong lemon lime hand soap mixed with sea salt or salt and that works fantastic. Thank you so much for the video though I've got to go kill weeds I know that boiling water will kill weeds I would suggest to put a small fire pit outside or a pot on your grill ... heat your boiling water so you not carrying it too far and you won't be harmed. I killed grass and weeds with the mixture above I was talking about I have not used the boiling water 💦. However I do have some thistle that came from the farm across the street and I'm thinking of using the boiling water technique on the thistle AKA cow grass. Anyway happy gardening thank you so much I really appreciate it in your grass is gorgeous.

[@eric45]

Fire stick works great for this job as well

[@samkitty5894]

The only way to get rid of weeds is to pull them out by the roots. Roundup and this mix will only kill the tops for about 2-3 weeks. After that, weeds will come back from the roots.

[@rich1953]

Definitely gonna try.

[@rtroyer8963]

If you have just a few weeds coming up, you can just pour boiling water on them, right out of the tea kettle! It also takes care of seeds waiting to sprout.

[@MajesticBred]

How long does it keep the weeds away? Also will it killer the grass too?

[@d3s1r3dpk]

@@MajesticBred Yes that will kill your grass

[@tomtoomey3902]

Will try on my allotment in the UK thanks dude

[@leroyrosario6898]

I'm really going to try this

[@lynn2212]

I have used the vinegar with Epsom salt with good results

[@cindymorris564]

You can moisten the leaves and sprinkle baking soda on as well.

[@thelovelydrkeyx3250]

I've used just salt and dish liquid, and it's worked just fine.

[@user-uu3zp8ud7m]

a good and simple idia to try >> thank you

[@busyrand]

Boiled water on a hot day worked beautifully for me also.

[@teddybear4020]

plan on trying it

[@r.e.t.9465]

its more effective if you use 30% strength vinegar.

[@AncientHippie]

Vinegar can etch concrete if used undiluted or left on for too long. Vinegar is acidic and can attack concrete, which is mostly calcium carbonate.

[@kq3698]

Thanks! Gonna do this today!

[@deesje153]

it s a very old recipe and not alloud in the Netherlands because of the vinager that makes the soil sour and harms the other plants, so now we only use salt and water, the best is to try pull out the weeds with the roots then it takes longer to come back

[@marcpetrykowski]

Thoughts on this if it would be able to kill off cordata plant? Previous home owners planted that and it keeps popping back up even after pulling out tons of it with the roots.

[@terrellavery9]

Bro! You just saved me big time

[@GoAskAlexOnline]

Love this as I have a dog, but if it accidentally gets on the grass or garden won’t it ruin the soil permanently (because of the salt)?

[@joerapo]

I definitely notice how heat and sun speeds up weed killers. If it's really hot the vegetation will be brown in days.

[@ryanmuth2390]

Nice shirt, Jet’s is the best!

[@Anonymously4051]

I’ve used just plain vinegar spray on weeds, it works temporarily. Temporarily is ok for an easy and natural weed control on patio, walkways, along house etc.

[@hongsitu3429]

Tried the mirimichi green stuff for a fall reno. The weeds and grass comes back unless its young plants. It doesnt kill to the roots. And that first gen gci blueheat aint doing your yard justice.

[@JS-yj4rb]

It may work but the following year I got even more grass. I think the higher PH in the dirt just added the nutrients it needed to grow. Being this is acidic it adds to the PH levels.

[@bobjackson4720]

I mixed normal strength vinegar with salt and some dishwashing liquid. I spayed a mixture of weeds. By the next day most weeds looked dead but the weed grasses were still fairly green. I'll check them tomorrow. Compared with normal weed killer, I would say this is superior. Boiling water sounds an expensive alternative if you have a lot of weeds. I have now bought double strength vinegar and will try that next.

[@mikewalline8969]

🎉k I Ky

[@DebRoo11]

You've killed the foliage but not the root so kind of a waste of time and energy

[@alyssamayle4088]

Hello 🤗 thank you Jesus for another great and wonderful day 🤎💝 Genesis 1:11 and God said, let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit of the tree yielding fruit after it's kind.

[@margiesmith9493]

I am going to try this

[@mysteriouse5891]

Natria Weed & Grass Control works well. Has some level of root kill.

[@brendadixon221]

Definitely gonna try…pulling weeds ain’t fun…thanks for the tip ❤

[@beteeho]

Love a video chocked full of naughtiness 😁 6 weeks is a long time 😉

[@albertbeltran554]

I had to try this. I live in the high desert.

[@artymunoz5060]

Woohoo now I got brown head chilling at the ply structure 😎

[@joybrown7394]

Cant wait tobtry. Thanks

[@alphacentauri2506]

HI I use this on weeds in my sidewalks and borders -but not in my lawn. If you put salt on your lawn nothing will grow not even grass. It is great for weeds and poison ivy on the edges of large backyards shouldering wooded areas and rock walls.

[@rogerleckington-mc6le]

Will try it 👍🏻

[@helenc2987]

I was about to go bunnings but watched this first & what do ya know I already have all these things 😊

[@JFreezePleaze]

Wednesday and Thursday were brutal in Indiana. Too hot for me to even spray. I missed out. The 30% vinegar worked a little better last time I used it.

[@cyanara01]

Gotta try it~ Thx

[@victoryfirst2878]

ROUNDUP is Glyphosate fella. What is the best weed killer that does not heart the grass. What do you do when you have round weeds that have yellow flowers from the center of the plant. They are really right among the good grass. How do I prevent killing the good grass ?? Thanks

[@popeyeyankee5477]

I'm def going use this concoction. Thanks! I have a glyspate question for you. Does glyspate kill surface tree roots that are on the lawn?

[@jamesrichards9921]

My understanding is it won’t kill the tree but if there’s suckers coming up and you spray them with glosphate it will stress and could possibly kill the tree , have been trying to get my bosses to spray this instead just because of the cost but they seem to think it doesn’t kill the root just browns the weed up

[@ingridsaldanha808]

Hello, thank you for the excellent idea. I am struggling with my grass. I just moved to this house and the grass has been absolutely abandoned so we have more weed than grass😢 I have 2 pets and kids.What do you think should I spray almost every where. It would kill the few grass I have right?

[@Alexleight]

This is probably a dumb question but what do you do after the grass and what not is dead? Still yank it out? Let it go?

[@soilworker3]

Just what I was looking for, extra 👍🏻 for the Jets shirt!

[@djperry6787]

We usually just use straight 100% white vinegar to kill weeds, with a pump sprayer, but I need to kill a rogue wisteria plant that went wild years ago, and guess what? Its still ALIVE 😲 So deep in the ground I'm going to pour, liberally, your recipe, and wait a few days before I plant a new tree where the wisteria was. Hope it helps. I don't like using chemicals.

[@Kimkreative]

It's not just about kids and pets, my husband got non hodgekins lymphoma from weed killer.

[@MatthewSmith-cp3hu]

prayer LORD pls bless @Kimkreative husband to get better in Jesus name amen

[@melissaGomez3657]

But this is a natural weed killer or are you insinuating this can also cause cancer?

[@albertkikstra]

Glyphosate also is known to cause leukemia….

[@JENKEN425]

@@albertkikstra ROUNDUP.

[@JENKEN425]

@@melissaGomez3657 ROUNDUP CAUSS CANCER.

[@browneyes7139]

Gonna try

[@jenniferackerland7570]

‘That’s what she said h’ haaaa ha ha ha. Thanks for making these videos more entertaining! 6:21

[@ignacioalbornoz8023]

I have weeds around some freshly planted palm trees, will this affect the palms? the plan is to obviously not spray the palms just the beds around them.

[@mrgruffy4499]

Grasses in my gravel parking area: Every Spring, I've put about 100 pounds of water-softener salt on the area. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Even dirty motor thinned with pain thinner, won't kill the weeds. Gloves? Be a He-Man. No gloves (LOL) I've scattered water softener salt on my gravel for the rain to dissolve it so the roots can absorb the salt. This seldom works. I wouldn't wear a black shirt on a hot sunny day. Wear white to reflect sunlight.

[@gardengatesopen]

It doesn't work bcuz the roots aren't dying. Especially with deep rooted plants like Bermuda Grass, & tap rooted weeds & prairie grasses. Plus, the rocks in the drive retain moisture underground, and also keep the soil temps cool, which is what keeps the deep roots alive. If you really want to kill deep roots without poison, you'll need to try something like this: ▪︎Scrape those stones off the area, far enough away so the roots won't travel underground to find their cooling effect once again. (Like - REALLY FAR!) ▪︎After the ground has dried up for quite a long time - it might take months of hot, dry, Summer weather, bcuz it needs to dry out deep under there - THEN: ▪︎Apply the vinegar solution to the top growth. This will kill the stuff showing on top. ▪︎ Only when the ground is dry, Cover the area with a clear plastic so the sun will heat the ground even hotter, which will hopefully kill the roots. This plastic procedure could take a couple of weeks or even longer, all depending on the weather. Plus, if it's in the shade, it just won't get hot enough to heat the ground. ▪︎ Shade: In which case you'll need to all the above except change over to a dark black plastic to cover the area. This will basically just make the grass, and roots, move over to any area that gets light. Leave it there for A VERY LONG TIME, as in 6 months to a year. ▪︎Don't opt for cardboard covered by compost or soil instead of dark plastic. Grass LOVES to grow in cardboard! Cardboard absorbs and holds moisture, giving an excellent place for grass to root & grow in, even in the dark. It will simply send out runners to find the light as it keeps the roots back over in the cardboard. Bcuz that's what grass does. It's a beast. Maybe the ULTIMATE plant! I imagine there aren't many Americans willing to spend this much time & patience on killing grass in a driveway. But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong! (I can only hope...)