How to Use Vinegar for Weed Control
Y’all… I’ve officially joined the ranks of vinegar weed killer believers. I had to see it to believe it—but I’m telling you, this stuff works.
We’ve got a long gravel driveway at the farm that loves to grow weeds all summer long. So before we left for Austria, Tommy and I decided to try one of those viral DIY natural weed killer recipes using vinegar!
And the results? Shocking. Within an hour, weeds started shriveling up and turning brown!
Here’s exactly how we did it—the other ingredients to mix with vinegar and what you need to know before trying it yourself.
🌿 Our DIY Weed Killer Recipe
2 cups Epsom salt (dissolved in hot water—see below!)
1/4 cup Dawn dish soap
1 full jug of 45% horticultural vinegar (not your average pantry vinegar—this stuff is strong!)
👉 Important: Be sure to use a brand-new sprayer for mixing weed killer. I like to use this sprayer a lot! I actually keep two sprayers- one for things that kill weeds and an entirely different one for things that fertilize my healthy plants so I never have to worry about getting things cross-contaminated. I’ve heard horror stories!
Pro Tip: Dissolve the Epsom Salt First
Before mixing everything together, dissolve the Epsom salt in about 2 cups of boiling hot water. This helps it mix evenly and keeps your sprayer from clogging. Once it’s dissolved, add it to your vinegar and dish soap mixture and shake it up well.
Why This DIY Weed Spray Actually Works
This combo is like a triple threat for weeds:
Vinegar (especially 45% horticultural strength) is acidic and burns the leaves of the plant on contact.
Epsom salt draws moisture out of the weed, helping to dry it out from the inside.
Dish soap breaks down the waxy surface of the leaves and helps the mixture stick better so it doesn’t just slide off.
It’s simple science, y’all—but it really does the job.
⚠️ A Word of Warning: Don't Use This in Flower Beds
This natural weed killer is non-selective. That means it doesn’t know the difference between a dandelion and your favorite zinnia. So do not use this in your flower beds, vegetable garden, or anywhere near plants you want to keep alive. It’s best for gravel driveways, sidewalk cracks, along fence lines, or other places you want to completely clear of vegetation.
When to Spray for Best Results
Timing is everything! For maximum impact:
Spray on a hot, sunny day (bonus points if it's in the 90s)
Apply directly to the leaves of the weeds
Will rain wash it away? YES. Avoid spraying right before rain or watering
Do not apply when it’s breezy or windy. You DO NOT want to inhale this!!
How long does it take to start working? We saw results within one hour—the weeds were turning brown and curling up like bacon in a frying pan. 😂 But for best results, wait at least 24 hours before making your final judgement.
DOES VINEGAR WOrk TO KILL WEEDS Permanently?
Here’s the truth….
Kind of?
When we got back from Austria a few weeks after spraying, I’ll be honest—the results were a mixed bag. Most of the weeds were brown, brittle, and clearly toast. Others? Alive and thriving like they threw a little party while we were gone.
It left me wondering… did some of the weeds re-sprout while we were overseas? Or did the vinegar solution just not penetrate all the way to the roots?
Trying Again—with a Twist
I’m not giving up just yet. Next round, I’m making a couple of changes to this DIY weed killer:
I’ll boil the water first to help dissolve the Epsom salt completely, and apply it while the water is still boiling hot
I’m hoping the boiling water + hot summer sun combo will zap those weeds with a double punch.
I’ll also test it on a smaller section first to monitor how well it works over a few days.
Because let’s be honest: pulling weeds by hand in July in the South? That’s a no from me.
I’ve tried just about everything to kill weeds—pulling by hand, chemical sprays, fancy weeding tools. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is blowtorching, but that’s because I’m too nervous that something could go wrong! But this homemade weed killer recipe is officially my new go-to for areas where I don’t want anything growing.
It’s cheap, easy, and surprisingly satisfying to watch the weeds give up immediately.
If you’re tired of battling weeds in your driveway or gravel paths, give this recipe a shot.
