20% Acidity Vinegar Weed Killer Test---200 Grain White Vinegar

20% Vinegar Amazon Link: amzn.to/2uIxhqW
Check out my video testing out high acidity vinegar for weed killing. The vinegar I chose to use it made of 20% acidity and is 200 Grain White Vinegar. The typical store bought vinegar is only 5%, so this is much stronger and you will see the results in the video. I conduct a 15 hour test and show the before and after results. My test is on several types of weeds which include Dandelions weeds, clover, broad leaves, and Poison Ivy. If you find this video useful, please take a moment and give it a Thumbs Up. Thanks for watching and have a great day!

[@lizzettecruz5054]

I just purchased the 30% on Amazon. Thanks for creating this video showing application and results (with the 20%) it was a big help. I guess I'll have to be very careful not to get the solution on my plants. Again, thanks.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

You're welcome. Please let me know how the 30% works. I want to compare some against 20%.

[@Myeverydaywifelife]

Espom salt is a fertilizer for plants, you should use rock salt that used for water softeners instead.

[@pamelamciver3428]

I’ve used this concoction for several years now and I love it. I spray early when the sun is about to peek and within an hour the weeds are brown and wilting. I use regular white 5% vinegar and it works quick wit the help of the sun.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That's good to know. I'll have to test it out in the morning hours, like you mentioned.

[@johnmann8253]

We use 30% concentrate vinegar 1 gallon with 1/2 cup table salt and the Dawn dish detergent. Do not use Epson salt that is plant food. Our weeds do not come back with our mixture.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I've seen Epsom salt in some homemade mixes and think it was a mistake way back that never got corrected. Do you add water to the vinegar too?

[@sinhafamily]

Yes, would like to know if you dilute the vinegar. Otherwise, it turns out to be pretty expensive. Might as well buy Green Gobbler.

[@Take_a_breath208]

It’s best to apply this when it’s above 70 degrees outside. Very reassuring to see it works even without daylight. Thanks.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Great tip! I've always heard to spray weeds when they're in the prime daily conditions for active growth.

[@johndavowski4119]

Like mitropoulosilias said, you need to mix in salt for it to kill the root. All you're doing is killing the leaves. 2 cups of normal table salt to every gallon of vinegar plus a teaspoon of washing up liquid

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Good to know that. Thanks!

[@marydoherty9188]

thank you for that info :) what are the measurements if i'm using 80% acetic acid?

[@billstiem6035]

This is very helpful, Thank you.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

You're very welcome!

[@cbr600rrturbo]

thanks Mark great idea!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

***** Thanks Tac!

[@dr.josephyoung5254]

I have been using just plain distilled vinegar ( the type used for cleaning), and it knocks all types of weeds dead quickly. No need to buy fancy, high percentage vinegar. I pay just $2 a gallon, and it works better than Roundup. No need also to buy Dawn. Any soap will work. It just helps the solution stick to the weeds. But regular cheap salt is also a part of the killer brew. My formula: 1 gallon of cheapest vinegar, 2-3 cups of any salt, and 1 cup of any liquid soap.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Yes, regular salt is the key.

[@blissbliss3531]

yes SALT, dawn, Pickling vinegar, can find cheaper than Amazon/ and use ROCK SALT on OLD trees stumps around them and/or cuts in the stump, takes a bit but saves on cost of a stump grinder....

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks for the info!

[@jonnaosborne1832]

I was able to get 30% vinegar at Home Depot in the cleaning products aisle. From searching online, it looks like some is even labeled "cleaning vinegar" - but always check the percentage.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Great tip!

[@johnmann8253]

I know the vinegar burns the surface material but I believe it’s a salt that gets into the roots and destroys the plant from the bottom up. The dish soap merely gives it adhesion to the plant surface.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That sounds like a good explanation of it.

[@antonettetataka3089]

I used regular vinegar 1 cup and 3 cups of water with Dawn and salt. It worked great on the poison ivy. Add salt

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks for the advice. I need to spray the poison ivy this week.

[@karindungee4277]

I used the Harris 30% vinegar from Walmart ($19.98 - still expensive for vinegar!), with a good 2 squirts of Gain dishwashing liquid and my weeds died within 2 hours and were really decimated 24 hours later, Did not use salt because of recommendations by professional gardeners and extension service people that salt will inhibit ANY growth of ANYTHING you want to plant later. I have a lot of weeds to handle and already buying the 3rd gallon of 30%, so the $$ is adding up. This time, I’m going to add some water to the mix and hope the results are as good. Thanks for your video!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I would try adding some salt and even dilute it if you don't want weeds coming back. Did you find it in the store or online? Thanks.

[@karindungee4277]

@@MarkThomasBuilder Hey Mark, I bought the vinegar in store, which (fingers crossed) is still in stock. I used salt in the mixture for spraying around the house perimeter, but not where I had to spray around plants, bushes, etc. Now I have to deal with my bamboo, which this year decided to go crazy, but it will be cheaper to use my hacksaw.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

@@karindungee4277 I'll have to look for it in the store next time, thanks!

[@dennisseeker36]

i am new with this also but to add i think most people that use this do it in the am on a sunny day the hot sun seems to play a very big part in making this work

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'd say that sounds like the best time to apply it.

[@BillLaBrie]

6% cleaning vinegar works fine. Mix with 1 cup of salt and a tablespoon of Dawn per gallon of vinegar. I’d like to experiment with the higher grain vinegars, but have been pleased with the results from the 6%.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Sounds great!

[@banderson7164]

No it doesn't, one week knock down max !

[@amyrosejax]

How did this work out? I just bought the "cleaning vinegar" because the food-grade one didn't work at all. I'd like to not include the salt because it wrecks my battery sprayer.

[@BillLaBrie]

@@amyrosejax it browns them up for a while, but they shake it off and come back after a singl application. This method isn’t to be confused with a real weed killer. You need to constantly re-apply it. Didn’t try it without the salt, but I doubt leaving it would help performance.

[@VerizonUser2013]

I tried the 30% vinegar with a little Dawn. I originally placed some vinegar in a dish soap bottle and dribbled a little bit on each weed (especially plantain weed the broad-leafed one in the video). In two days they were all black. I could see where I missed some of the weeds in the area I treated. Three weeks later they are still black and crunchy. I then placed some straight vinegar in a spray bottle like the one in your video and spayed more weeds, wetting as many leaves as I could. They wilted but all of them did not die. As I treated the first batch when it had been dry for 4 days, and dry afterward the weed took up the vinegar like water and absorbed it better than the misting on the leaves. I will wait until next year to see if the weed will come back from the tap root.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I would think 30% vinegar with Dawn would take care off all your weeds. Please report back if it comes back from the tap root.

[@amyrosejax]

I bought some "cleaning vinegar" because the household vinegar I bought did nothing. How did this turn out for you?

[@taylorsellers2808]

I see it's been almost 2 years. I'm sure some weeds have grown back, I'd be amazed if they don't! how long did it last? or did it work indefinitely? I want to try this. have you tried the 30% with any different results?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I recall it working well on all the weeds for a good part of the summer. I haven't tried 30% yet. Maybe I'll test it out this spring and make a video on it.

[@luvbotany]

At 4:32 , you clearly missed that part of the leaf that remained green. Curious what happened to the poison ivy over time

[@SuperMCFIVE]

My brother said a 20% solution works for poison ivy. Going to try it.

[@danfoley7265]

The Dawn does work as a carrier, but you need about a heavy teaspoon per quart.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks, good to know.

[@ekaamaadmi438]

Hi I am from Panama can't you plz tell me that it's killing nutsedge grass with vinegar and salt. Thanks plz tell me

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Hi, I'm not familiar with that type of grass. This vinegar should kill it, to the best of my knowledge. It kills all the weeds in Michigan that I spray it on.

[@sleddy01]

Acetic acid is acetic acid. Reviews would be irrelevant. The 30% is a better deal because you can just dilute it. I got 75% and just dilute as needed.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@bruceleonard81]

I just buy a gap of vinegar from grocery store for 2.50 1\4 cup dawn, and 1 cup salt. Costs about 3.50 for killing all weeds have to go back every 2 weeks but it works turnout the summer. I have not tried stronger vinegar?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

The stronger vinegar works better.

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

The Dawn acts as a surfactant, releasing the surface tension of the water, allowing it to flow over and into the leaves without beading up. If you use more than a few drops of Dawn, it will start neutralizing the vinegar. The chemists out there can verify this by testing the pH of the vinegar solution before and after adding the Dawn in differing amounts. Other surfactants include: a few drop of Kodak PhotoFlo 200, used to dry wet prints and negatives by old-fashioned wet darkroom photographers and still sold by Amazon, and a few drops of Finish Quick Dry Rinse-Aid, sold in grocery stores for speeding up the drying of dishes in dishwashers without extra heat.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That is very interesting, thanks! It's good to know not to over-do it with the Dawn detergent.

[@luvbotany]

Dr bronners sal suds is a much better alternative than those suggestions for surfactant.

[@gabriellecollins6225]

@@luvbotany Seventh generation dish soap also works and is bionuetral.

[@therealmallorybear]

My package of epsom salt literally says its a lawn and plant FERTILIZER. Can someone please explain this, when everyone else says it will kill?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That's a good question. I don't know if some chemical reaction occurs with vinegar. I've had some people say to add table salt instead if it's an area that you don't plan on growing any landscape plants.

[@TheHermanmr]

i use 45% vinegar for my weeds-you can buy on amazon. down side is be selective, it kills "EVERYTHING"

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

That sounds like some strong stuff.

[@Latinjerseygirl]

I need to try this mixture of course w/the salt cause I get a lot if weeds & my back ends up hurting after pulling all of them. Do you know if spraying this around hardy trees if it would damage them (ex pine trees)?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Good question. I'm not sure of the answer. If it were me, I would try to just spray the weeds and not let any overspray hit the tree.

[@patrickdavies5185]

Can this be used out in the lawn or does it kill grass also?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

It kills all vegetation, so you would only want to use it to spot treat broadleaf weeds in the lawn

[@mrs1975brown]

I buy 45% when we have our rainy season in Florida , works great , don’t get it on skin and spray at root of plant so animals don’t come in contact with wet foliage!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks for the advice. I've haven't heard of anything more than 30 percent. The 45 sounds very effective. I may have to give it a try. Do you dilute it at all? I've heard some say they dilute it half way with water.

[@darkhorse2reign]

Add some salt bro. About 1/8 to 1/4 cup to the mixture you had. Sinks into and kills those roots.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Salt sound like the ultimate weed killer.

[@Irvin700]

@@MarkThomasBuilder I would be careful with the salt on the soil though if you plan on planting at that spot. It'll change the pH making it uninhabitable for growing.

[@palabrajot505]

Will this work on shade resistant trees too?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'm not sure about that. Sorry I can't be of help.

[@kennydahle7977]

Mark, I have seen two of your weed killer videos and each one you don't carry through to the end. You seem to just cut off the experiment before you get the final results. Its frustrating because we all want to see how long it takes to kill the weeds dead. Like totally dead! Good job on the comparison videos but I sure would like to see the effects at one week, two weeks, three and so on til dead!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I understand and thanks for letting me know. I may have to do a poison ivy video and give it 2-3 weeks.

[@dennisthemenance5433]

reg.White is 5% acidity, apple is supposed to be 8% but many are watered down to only be 5% wuth the tangiers taste..tyhus why paying$20 + for this high Acidity vinegart use the 5%? will have to use it 2-3x as often. for my 65x20 gravel dirve? i spray it with 10% acidty and then tow a steel rake behind my Rising LM and grade the gravel then spray it a 2nd time..last 5 mos..and do it a 2nd time in fall..if could afford? Asphalt the drive.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Yeah, it's hard to believe that it costs this much. Pretty crazy.

[@SA-lr1sf]

What's the point if it doesn't kill the roots? You should show if those weeds come back or not.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Good point. We've had so much rain this summer, it seems like every weed has grown back, lol.

[@marciafowler6110]

This should be done on a very hot day with a lot of sun and the weed will die in 24 hrs...like brown and dried up no green left

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Would you dilute it with water?

[@marciafowler6110]

No go straight I am in 80-90 degree weather and reg.white vinegar works well

[@marciafowler6110]

No do not dilute with water

[@rajneesh3971]

This works!!! I used this on a warm day (75 - 80 degrees) in Seattle at 10am. The weeds in my lawn were very big and healthy. When I checked at 2pm weeds were dead. My only issue is that some of the grass around the weed died too.

[@jonnaosborne1832]

I meant to say that I got the 30% to use on some clumping bamboo, so I wanted to get the strongest I could get.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Do you recall the price of it? Do they sell it by the gallon?

[@mrs1975brown]

I purchased 45% works , I spray root not foliage

[@countryrose763]

Cleaning vinegar is in stores and at 10%. Works well evnfyoyhaveto spray twice, its a lot cheaper at $3

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks, good to know that!

[@danfoley7265]

Store vinegar is only 5% acidity, pretty much universally

[@motorcop02]

I was severely cautioned about 20% vinegar and here this fellow sticks his nose in it to smell the difference!? What's up with that?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I still have my sense of smell, thankfully. 😀👍

[@peteshelby21]

Main thing to everyone. If you can weed trim the weeds or bigger brush to open the so called pours of the plant. Then you spray them so it gets to the roots. Same can work for big roots or stumps. Even drilling holes in big stumps then spray or pour into stumps

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Good advice, I'll have to start trying that.

[@oldbearhoney]

I think you might have a bit of confusion. store bought vinegar is diluted with water to 5 ph, not 5% ...true vinegar is a ph of 3....so when they are talking 20% or 30% I'd suspect that they've diluted standard ph3 vinegar with water. Thus 1 quart of vinegar with 4 quarts of water for a 20% vinegar mixture. I make my own vinegar will try your weed killer.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks for the clarification. The stuff is advertised as 20% vinegar. It's also labeled 200 grain white vinegar. Please let me know your thoughts if you try out the stuff in my video. Thanks!

[@oldbearhoney]

I did a bit more research and also found that its not just you using the % terms, so are the manufacturers. Its probable they are really meaning 20% acetic acid and Heinz does state their vinegar is 5% acetic acid. I'm still looking for a mathematical calculation that tells me how much water they are adding. There are about 10 ways of making vinegar, and a few less on making acetic acid. I sure will let you know. I have a ton of chickweed and not planting a garden this year

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Sounds good, thanks!

[@macfrichtel1]

thank you for cutting the chase! Was looking for the ratio!!! thanks

[@syedimthiaz3842]

5 ml acetic acid with 95 ml water is 5 percent. And 20 ml acetic acid in 80 ml water is 20 percent..

[@tonypmedia]

Gonna need more than a dot of soap. Need to add about half that bottle next time.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'll have to try and mix it stronger next time.

[@BTL3.0]

does it harm normal grass?

[@halfglassfull]

+BTL3.0 yes

[@karenallen1730]

Use salt instead of Epsom salt. It does a better job.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks, I agree with that. I'll give it a try next time.

[@vinhle3272]

If I use it to kill weed in lawn, does it kill grass?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I believe it's a total vegetation killer

[@vinhle3272]

@@MarkThomasBuilder thanks

[@Pipsterz]

Lacking. This needs a succession of follow-up videos to be conclusive. Daily applications showing day 1, day 3, & day 5. And full 24-hour increments not half that.

[@brandonmurphy4657]

Salt water works great

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks for the tip!

[@ericstefko4852]

wouldn't Muriatic acid be cheaper?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I haven't used it for anything other than etching concrete. I'd have to read up on it some more to give you an answer.

[@anthonymarino4260]

just tried 30% works fast

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I may have to try it this year.

[@nlo114]

Gly - pho - sate. Come on now, say it: Gly - pho - sate.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Haha, got it!

[@MRROLO150]

Have the weeds returned?

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

MRROLO150 No, they died completely. This stuff works good!

[@GrandpaBill]

You forgot the SALT!!!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Oops! It works good on the broadleaf weeds without it. Next time, I'll try salt. Probably would be good for poison ivy.

[@ruthypetchr5210]

markthomasbuilder

[@dennisseeker36]

research you may not always want to use salt it seems to have some results without , such as if preparing a garden before planting do you want to add lots of salt ? and would you want to add that salt over and over and over ??

[@AZ-pf8qq]

That's thistle

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Ah, thank you!

[@JAK-rt8im]

Doesn’t work as well as the 30% and not as well as the 40%

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

I'll have to try the 40%. I wonder if it can be diluted a little to make it last longer?

[@darrenjones9180]

Salt

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Yes, that works as well.

[@chrisbrendandavis]

Funny how the ad at the beginning of your video is for roundup, so while you are advertising non Roundup products you are profiting from Roundup

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Haha, I didn't know that was advertised. Interesting!

[@chrisbrendandavis]

Yeah I know you don't get to choose who advertises with you but I'm sure Monsanto deliberately targets any videos dealing with alternatives to Roundup and just tries to bombard people with the Roundup is good message before they even get a chance to watch your alternative video

[@sedwards8503]

Grocery store Vinegar= same results= $4/gallon, mix with water to get your 30%, add a quarter cup of salt. Soap is good for clover. If trying to save your grass reduce vinegar concentration. If you don't have a day or two of no rain results will be reduced.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks for the advice! Are your saying that it helps to get rain after applying it?

[@mikelee1267]

so you're saying that buying grocery store vinegar (5% acidity) and adding water to it will somehow increase the concentration to 30% acidity? I think you don't understand what he meant by 30% in the first place. He did not mean that he needs 30% of the vinegar and 70% water added to his mix.

[@sedwards8503]

@@mikelee1267 Yes 2% acetic acid is 30% grocery store Vinegar to 70% water. Sometimes I put a half one of sunlight dish soap to make it stick. If the video was posted as 30% acetic acid vs. 30% vinegar it would be two different solution amounts. I was not aware 30% acetic acid was what was being recommended, all I heard was 30% vinegar. I go with final solution of 2% and works fine. Correct me if I'm wrong but that is what is in Killex and other store bought weed killer however they place other chemicals in the solution which I do not see any reason need to be there.

[@72hourbob61]

add salt.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Good idea!

[@shuki713]

when u add salt, you cant grow on the land anymore.

[@toddwinton5025]

You want to use sodium chloride not epsom salt (magnesium sulphate)

[@patriciakenyon5732]

DON'T USE SALT unless you plan to refrain from planting anything there for years! That's how long it takes rainwater to remove it from the soil. If you remove salt with the hose water soon after, you can damage the soil it's moved into and can ruin streams that are used by local animals.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Oh wow, that's powerful stuff!

[@johnnykurplutzo6789]

I was thinking pour it into driveway cracks, not into growing areas

[@PrudentStudent666]

I find the best weed killer(and it is free) is pee. An evening trip to the weed patch for a few days and boom. Weed B Gone!

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Haha, you should see some dead landscaping shrubs we have after getting a dog last year.😂

[@JohnDoe-du1no]

Diesel fuel and burnt motor oil

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Sounds like it will kill the weeds, but not good for the environment.

[@JohnDoe-du1no]

@@MarkThomasBuilder just a joke

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Ahh, that's good, lol! I know someone who says to add kerosene, so you never know who's for real.

[@mitropoulosilias]

SALT is the key!! :-)

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

So I should mix salt with this vinegar?

[@mitropoulosilias]

***** yes, or just with water! Salt in fact destroy the ground, vinegar destroy the plants.

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

Thanks, good to know.

[@rodneykitchen3869]

doesn't work I'm afraid, vinegar's for many things but not for weed killing

[@MarkThomasBuilder]

What weed killer do you use?

[@johnnykurplutzo6789]

You need to add pepper flakes

[@johnpapia8128]

Pepper flakes?

[@johnnykurplutzo6789]

Yes

[@johnpapia8128]

Where do you get therm

[@cattlecorner305]

Just get to the point. He talks like a woman.