Vinegar can help get rid of weeds, but there is a catch.
Everyone hates weeds. If you walk down the gardening aisle at your local nursery or big box store, you will see all sorts of weed killers to choose from. Homemade concoctions for killing weeds are popular too. Natural weed killer made with household vinegar have become especially popular on the internet.
But if you just fill a bottle with regular vinegar from under your sink and start spraying weeds, you are going to be disappointed.
If you are going to use vinegar as a weed killer, there are a few things you need to know first.
Don’t Use Household Vinegar
The typical household vinegar is great for cleaning, but it is not strong enough to kill weeds. White vinegar usually contains five percent acetic acid. To kill weeds, you will need something stronger.
| Vinegar Type | Acetic Acid Content | Effectiveness on Weeds |
|---|---|---|
| Household vinegar | 5% | Not effective |
| Horticultural vinegar | 20% | Effective on young, annual weeds |
Important: Horticultural vinegar is particularly strong. If you are going to use it, you will need to wear gloves and eye protection. Some horticultural vinegars come premixed and ready to use, which is probably the easiest way to go.
What to Know About Vinegar Weed Killer
While there are other natural, safe options for taking care of those pesky weeds, if you decide to use vinegar, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
| Consideration | Detail |
|---|---|
| Roots are not killed | Vinegar only kills the parts of the plant it touches (contact herbicide) |
| Annual vs. perennial | Vinegar-based herbicides will only kill annual weeds, not perennials |
| Temporary effect on tough weeds | It might temporarily take care of poison ivy or ragweed, but those plants will be back soon enough |
| Legal note | If you purchase horticultural vinegar that is not labeled as a weed killer, it is illegal to use it as a weed killer |
| Vinegar is a chemical | Treat it as such—you will need safety gear for handling herbicidal versions with 20% or more acetic acid |
| Off-target damage | Vinegar can kill the plants you do not want to harm, so be careful where you spray it |
| Wind | Do not use it on a windy day |
| Surface damage | Be careful with strong vinegar around your patio—it can discolor certain kinds of decking materials |
How to Make Your Own Vinegar Weed Killer
If you do want to make your own vinegar weed killer, the main thing to remember is that you will have to use vinegar that is stronger than the household variety. You can buy concentrated vinegar that is 20 percent acetic acid.
Beyond the vinegar, you will also need dish soap, salt, and a spray bottle.
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Acetic acid (vinegar) | Breaks down plant cell walls |
| Salt | Works with acetic acid to dry out the plant |
| Dish soap | Breaks down the outer coat of the plant (cuticle), helping the vinegar penetrate |
DIY Weed Killer Recipe
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Horticultural vinegar (20% acetic acid) | 1 gallon |
| Dish soap | 1 ounce |
| Salt | 1 cup |
Directions
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mix the vinegar, salt, and soap together |
| 2 | Pour into a spray bottle |
| 3 | Spray directly onto weeds |
| 4 | Apply on a sunny day with no wind |
Why sunny and calm matter: The sun helps the vinegar dry out the weed. Waiting for a windless day also means your spray will not inadvertently land on other plants.
