WEEDS creeping through patio pavement and driveways can be a homeowner’s nightmare, but a common kitchen cleaner may be the secret weapon to tackling this challenge.
Weeds will sprout from any patch of soil they can sink their roots into, no matter how small the space, and that includes the tiny slivers of cracks between including cracks between ground covers – be it bricks, flagstones, or pavers.
Dish soap gets rid of the waxy coating the plant leaves on patios (Stock Image)[/caption]
The secret is: Dish soap.
When mixed with water, dish soap can kill and prevent weeds from growing without the toxic ingredients found in chemical weed cleaners, such as 2, 4-D, which has been linked to cancer, per the Natural Resources Defense Council.
However, weed killers have become less effective and weeds more resistant over time, according to Hunker.
“Why spend $20 on a chemical spray when dish soap can do the job?” one homeowner told the outlet. “It’s cheap, easy, and safe — and I already have it in my kitchen.”
Walkway owners can instead shake a bit of dish soap, such as Dawn, with a bit of water inside a spray bottle, and go to town on the weeds growing between the cracks of their brick paths.
Dish soap is not just for dirty dishes, but the mixture does not work like a heavy duty herbicide.
Dish soap contains fatty acids and alkaline compounds that break down the waxy coating plants leave on patios, according to Frontiers in Plant Science.
That coating typically helps weeds retain moisture, but once it has been stripped away by the soap, the plant dehydrates and dies.
Other hacks, like vinegar and water, are said to give similar results on weeds.
But even mild soap sprays can damage weed tissue and prevent regrowth, according to Hunker.
HOW TO MAKE DIY WEED KILLER
Start by mixing your Dawn – or any dish soap – with water inside of a spray bottle, shake it well, and apply it directly to the weeds growing between pavers, stones, or cracks in concrete.
For best results, spray on a warm, sunny day and make sure the mixture stays on the leaves long enough to take effect.
Because soap doesn’t linger in the soil or prevent future growth, you’ll need to reapply and spray again every few weeks, or after rain, to keep the weeds under control.
A study done by Insects found that monthly soap treatments reduced weed growth by about 80% over an entire growing season.
How to get rid of weeds
Tony Williams is the Estate Manager at Mount Ephraim Country House & Gardens in the UK.
He revealed to The U.S. Sun the best organic remedies for getting rid of weeds.
Two ingredient mix: “Mix four liters of vinegar, 250 grams of salt, and a tablespoon of soap for a potent weed killer,” he said.
Lemon juice: “Whether freshly squeezed or from a bottle, lemon juice is a simple, natural herbicide,” he revealed.
Boiling water: “Pouring boiling water on weeds can kill them instantly without harming nearby plants,” he said.
Diluted rubbing alcohol: “Spray this solution on weeds to induce water loss and effectively kill them,” he said.
Hand-picking: “Focus on removing them early, especially notorious ones like dandelions, to prevent seeds from scattering,” he said.
Extra-stubborn weeds should be pulled out first before spraying the area to help prevent regrowth from leftover roots or seeds.
BENEFITS
The biggest appeal of the dish soap method is its low toxicity, with the soap-and-water solution posing little risk to pets, children, or surrounding plants when used carefully, as reported by Ground Guys.
It’s also environmentally safer, since it breaks down naturally and doesn’t contaminate soil or groundwater.
It is ideal for driveways, patios, walkways, and stone landscaping where weeds sprout in hard-to-reach places.
With prices of lawn care products rising, homeowners are turning to DIY and natural solutions, and this one costs just pennies per bottle.
While it won’t replace more powerful herbicides for large infestations, it’s a practical option for everyday upkeep.
HOME HACKS
Other home hacks include using banana peels to make a nutrient “soup” for plants.
If you steep banana peels in water for 2–3 days, the resulting liquid is rich in potassium and magnesium.
When used to water plants or pour around their roots, this is said to improve blooming and soil fertility.
Using sharp brambles from bramble bushes also keeps slugs and snails away from your plants, while wood chips and mulching suppresses weeds and makes the ones that grow come out easier.
