12 Natural Weed Killers | DIY Homemade Weed Killers 2022

Homemade Natural Weed Killer

There are a lot of commercial weed killers that kill weeds on your lawn. But you prefer a natural way to kill weeds on your lawn. When you’re trying to kill certain weeds, they will be able to grow back before the end of the month. That being said it’s not super strong to kill tough weeds.

Natural weed killers are an effective way to kill invasive weeds without harming your lawn and the environment. There are several ways to make a nontoxic natural weed killer at home.

White Vinegar as a Natural Weed Killer

There are many kinds of vinegar. But not all of them are good for killing weeds. White vinegar is a proven method to kill weeds naturally. Moreover, it is safe for pets, people, and the environment.

Combine 1 gallon of white vinegar with 1 cup salt and 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap. Also, it is easy to use. Just put it in a spray bottle and spray it on the weeds. Make sure, to apply on a sunny day to treat weeds.

Boiling water To Kill Weeds

Boiling water is also an effective and natural way to kill weeds in your lawn and garden. Though it has an inherent danger if you have steady hands. Just simply wander around with a kettle and douse the weeds.

On many commercial organic farms, this has been used. So, you can give it a try.

Rubbing Alcohol an Effective Natural Weed Killer

Rubbing alcohol that we used in the first aid kit. This rubbing alcohol makes a good weed killer. Rubbing alcohol draws moisture from the weeds’ foliage and becomes weaker and eventually dies.

Mix 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol in a quart of plain water. Transfer in a spray bottle and spray directly onto the weeds. Remember, be sure to apply the solution when you get several sunny days in a week.  

Bleach to Kill Weeds

Bleach is an excellent stain remover and also a strong weed killer. Just put the bleach in a spray bottle and start treating the weeds. Weed will kill any vegetation it touches. That’s why make sure to apply the places where you want to remove the ugly weeds.

And all of its bleach particles will evaporate within 1 to 2 days. And the treated area will be safe for planting.

Baking Soda to Kill Weeds

Amazingly, one of the best natural weed killers is found in your kitchen. Baking soda makes an incredible weed killer.

Just dissolve 1 1\2 cup of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a gallon of water. And start spraying the weeds in your lawn and garden.

This connection could be used in areas with plants. But be sure to cover the foliage and base of the plants. So these won’t dry out.

Salt as a Weed Killer

Another method you’ll need to be very careful with and is best for areas where you don’t want anything to grow ever again. But a simple sprinkling of salt along the edges of your lawn between the cracks in the sidewalk or garden pathways will kill weeds at the end of the snowy season.

You can usually get a pretty good deal on rock salt which works great for this. But any kind of salt will do.

Corn Gluten Meal a Natural Weed Killer

Corn gluten meal is effective in controlling weeds such as dandelion, clover, crabgrass, knotweed, pigweed, and other weed without damaging your lawn. Corn gluten meal contains a high amount of protein. That stops the growth of roots in germinating seeds that results in killing weeds.

Spread 10 to 20 pounds of corn gluten meal per 100 sq. of lawn in early spring. Put evenly and don’t worry, it will not harm your lawn.  

It will take several weeks to block the new seed germination.

Borax as a Weed Killer

Borax provides boron that enhances the growth of the plants. But an excessive amount of borax is toxic to some of the plants.

Just fill a bucket with 2 1\2 of warm water. And it would be enough for 1,000 sq. ft. of area. Mix 2 cups of borax in 4 ounces of water. Mix the solution completely. Then spray the lawn evenly.

Make sure to apply a higher level of boron to the weeds. Remember, do not apply to the desired plants and flowers.  

Suffocate the weeds

Suffocate the weeds just like the plants you actually want in your garden beds. Weeds have a hard time surviving without adequate sunlight. You can kill existing weeds and prevent new ones from growing and help keep moisture in the soil for plants.

You do want to use a little bit of old newspaper and some garden mulch. Simply cover the area with several layers of large newspaper strips and put enough mulch on top of the paper to cover it completely. The weeds will not get sunlight and eventually die.

Soil Solarization

Soil Solarization is a non-chemical method to kill weeds and grass. And also effective in controlling pests and some diseases.

It is a technique that harnesses the energy of the sun to heat the soil and kill undesired weeds, grass, pests, and fungi. It involves covering the land with a plastic tarp for six to eight weeks. Then heat the tarp. It will kill the weeds and increase the matter decomposition.

Herbicidal Soap

Organic soap on the market mix with water and other plant organic chemicals. This concentrate when sprayed kills unwanted weeds and grasses in the lawn. This organic mixture will not harm kids, pets, and the environment.

Weed Barrier Mats

Barrier mats are an organic way to kill weeds in the lawn and garden. This hard plastic sheet on the weeds and a-holes is cut to grow desired plants and flowers, giving you a weed-free beautiful lawn.

Mulch on the barrier mats prevents the weeds from sprouting and growing.

Benefits of Natural Weed Killer

Artificial chemicals can harm the environment and the health of people and pets. And these synthetic weed killers can have both immediate and long-term effects.

In contrast, natural homemade weed killers are made of natural ingredients and are safe to use in lawns and gardens. These weed killers are cheap and do not cost more the artificial weed killers.

These organic weed killer products are easy to use and do not harm desirable plants and flowers. Moreover, they are available easily and most of them are already exist in your kitchen and home. Natural weed killers are biodegradable and do not cause soil toxicity.        

FAQs

Best Time to Apply Natural Weed Killer?

Natural homemade weed killer can be applied when weeds are actively growing and on mature weeds. Apply these weed killers in the morning during a sunny day. These methods keep your lawn growing green and beautiful all season long. Every natural weed killer has a different way to use, described above.  

What are Some of the Drawbacks of Using a Natural Weed Killer?

There are a few drawbacks to using a natural weed killer, including:

• They may take longer to work than chemical-based weed killers.
• Some require repeated applications for full effectiveness.
• Some may be less effective against tougher weeds.

How Do I Use a Natural Weed Killer?

Each natural weed killer will come with its own instructions, but in general, you will need to:

• Mix the correct dosage according to the instructions.
• Apply the weed killer to the desired area, making sure to avoid contact with plants or flowers you want to keep.
• Allow time for the weed killer to work before hosing off the area.

Are There Any Precautions I Should Take When Using a Natural Weed Killer?

Yes, there are some precautions you should take when using a natural weed killer, including:

• Always read and follow the instructions carefully.
• Do not apply near desirable plants or flowers.
• Do not use near water sources.
• Keep children and pets away from the treated area until it has been hosed off.

Is There a Natural Weed Killer That is Best For My Needs?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each natural weed killer will have its own strengths and weaknesses. However, some of the most popular natural weed killers include:

• Vinegar
• Boiling water
• Salt or salt water
• Citrus oil or citrus peels

Each of these weed killers can be effective when used correctly, but it is important to do your research and find the one that is best for your area.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a natural weed killer, this article should have given you some ideas. You can try using vinegar or dish soap to get rid of weeds in your garden without having to use harsh chemicals that may be harmful to children and pets. We hope these tips were helpful. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help with.

Reference

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/12/5/1091/htm

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/weed-control

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221922564_Organic_Weed_Control