A simple homemade herbicide that many people use for small cracks in driveways or between pavers is a mix of vinegar, salt, and dish soap. It works by drying out and damaging plant tissue.
Basic DIY herbicide
- 1 gallon white vinegar (5% acidity)
- 1 cup table salt
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
Mix until dissolved and spray directly on unwanted weeds on a hot, sunny day.
What each ingredient does
- Vinegar burns foliage.
- Salt helps dehydrate plants and can prevent regrowth.
- Dish soap helps the mixture stick to leaves.
Important limitations
- It is non-selective: it can kill grass, flowers, and garden plants too.
- Salt can damage soil for a long time, making it hard to grow anything there later.
- Works best on young weeds; deep-rooted perennials may regrow.
- Usually kills the top growth more than the roots.
Safer alternatives for gardens
If you want something less damaging to soil:
- Boiling water for sidewalk weeds
- Mulch to block sunlight
- Hand-pulling after rain
- Horticultural vinegar (stronger, use eye/skin protection)
Avoid spraying near trees, vegetable beds, ponds, or pets.
