Vinegar Herbicide

There are a number of commercially available vinegar weed killers available. However, we have always made our own. We found that pickling vinegar, or 20% vinegar, works best and with quicker results than mixes using 5% vinegar that is typically available.

We use this sparingly and never in or around flower beds. Typically, it is used on the driveway or to great an edge around hardscapes. We never use it to kill large areas of growth. This concoction non-selective.

While vinegar is the main ingredient in this DIY weed killer, adding a few drops of dish soap helps the vinegar stick to the weeds and penetrate their waxy surfaces more effectively. Adding salt is optional, but it can give the solution an extra boost. It acts as a desiccant and helps dehydrate and kill the weeds.

Wear proper PPE such as safety goggles and gloves.

Materials Needed

1 gallon vinegar (20% recommended)
1 tablespoon of dish soap
1 cup salt (optional)

Steps

Fill a container with 1 gallon of white vinegar.
Add one tablespoon of dish soap to the vinegar.
Optional: Pour in 1 cup of salt.
Mix the solution thoroughly until ingredients are well combined.
Pour your desired amount into a garden sprayer.

How a Vinegar Weed Killer Works

Vinegar's acetic acid acts as a contact herbicide. The acid within vinegar breaks down cell walls and removes moisture from weeds, causing them to die off.

When to Use a Vinegar Weed Killer

Apply vinegar weed killer when the weeds are actively growing and not stressed by drought. Typically, the best time of day to apply vinegar weed killer is in the late morning or early afternoon when temperatures are moderate to warm, as extreme heat can cause the solution to evaporate too quickly. It should be applied on a day when there's no rain forecasted for at least 24 hours.

How to Use a Vinegar Weed Killer

When using vinegar on garden weeds, be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin from any potential irritation. Wear long pants and sleeves as well, and of course keep the mixture away from the eyes and face.

Once properly protected, spray the weed killer onto broadleaf weeds, specifically targeting the leaf tissue.