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Today’s chemist solution is an easy homemade weed killer with a secret ingredient that may surprise you!
I have been testing out this homemade weed killer for awhile now and I am so impressed with how well it works. I wanted to create something that was easy to put together, but also fast acting! Weed killer from the store can be expensive, not to mention it is full of so many harmful chemicals. I hate spraying that stuff around my house with Ruger around. He always gets curious and sniffs everything!
The secret ingredient in this really makes it work fast! In fact, I applied this again a few days ago and shortly after it rained! I was afraid it would wash away the spray, but it had already starting working.
Easy Homemade Weed Killer
What Is the Strongest Homemade Weed Killer?
I have found that the combination of vinegar, salt and soap are the strongest ingredients for a weed killer. Then, I started playing around with added items that would enhance the solution. I was blown away by the results. It made it worked faster!
Here is how you can make it too.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups distilled white vinegar
- 3/4 cup regular table salt
- 2 tsp blue Dawn dish soap (works best, but can use others)
- 3 tsp liquid arthritis rub (seriously!!!, see notes below)
- Spray Bottle
FYI this is a copyrighted recipe! If using it or referencing it, please give credit to Chemistry Cachet by adding in our link!
Directions:
- In a spray bottle (please read this in-depth post about the best spray bottles for solutions like this), add all the ingredients plus the capsicum type rub (Found online here or at the dollar store and grocery stores for only a few dollars, see picture below). Another option is using liquid capsicum. Only one or two drops needed!
- Shake it up until well mixed, and shake well before each spray.
- Apply directly to the leaves of the weed. It starts working almost immediately, by 24 hours the weed is almost completely gone. It will continue to die and wither away!
Quick Note About the Arthritis Rub:
This arthritis rub can be hard to find now. Our weed killer recipe has been so popular over the years, we have sold out supply on Amazon many times. I update this post regularly to add in links where the rub is available. You can sometimes find it at Wal-Mart.
Video by: Bite of Brownie Productions
Vinegar Based Weed Killers are great for sidewalks, walkways, rocked areas, pavers, and driveway cracks.
Is this Considered a Natural Weed Killer?
Many readers have asked if this is considered a “natural” weed killer? In the science world, natural can mean many things. I like to call this a MORE natural weed killer compared to traditional options from the store like round-up. All of these ingredients are non-toxic and safe, so you can feel better about using them. To better answer this question, let’s take a look at the chemistry.
Vinegar
There are so many awesome things going on in this solution! Chemically, vinegar (acetic acid) is a strong acid which has the ability to kill or burn the leaves of weeds. In fact, the purpose of a vinegar weed killer is to create the perfect base. Vinegar by itself CAN kill weeds, but the other ingredients enhance this aspect, making it work better.
Salt
When salt (sodium chloride) is added to the equation, it catalyzes the reaction of the vinegar when applied to the plant. Have you ever accidentally touched salt to a cut on your finger? It burns! Well, it burns the plant leaves too. After mixing up the solution, you will notice the salt doesn’t disintegrate all the way. This is a good thing! Salt pieces help this weed killer recipe work even better.
Blue Dawn Dish Soap
Adding dish soap helps everything stick, but it also creates a layer or barrier on top of the weed. This can also aid in suffocating the leaves. Remember to read more about WHY I use blue Dawn in this post.
Lastly, the secret ingredient: arthritis rub. This is what makes our recipe unique.
What does capsicum and methyl salicylate do?
Capsicum comes from peppers. It is provides that heat feeling in rubs, so it is very common to see in things for joint pain or arthritis. I was excited to find this particular rub because it also has methyl salicylate. This is wintergreen oil! Again, it gives that icy hot burn which is great for topical treatments.
Adding some of this to the weed killer, just intensifies the reaction and works better on those thick and hearty weeds. I have read literature that mentions pepper sprays for weed killing being very effective. Having the methyl salicylate is just a bonus!
I found this particular brand at my local grocery store for a few dollars. You can us almost any brand that contains the capsicum and/or methyl salicylate! It is amazing how many different products contain this in the first aide section of your store!
You can see from the picture the weed just keeps shriveling up. It will eventually just turn to dust like it does with store bought weed killers! It actually rained about 12 hours after I applied this solution, so I was curious if it would still work. And it did! With the capsicum rub, it really speeds this up!
Please read this section below:
Important Tips & FAQs for This Safe Homemade Weed Killer
Things to remember:
- DO NOT spray grass with this! It will kill certain grasses, so make sure to spray just the weed itself!
- Be cautious using it in flower beds, again only spray the weed.
- Works better on sunny, warmer days to speed up reaction.
- Allow to work fully for up to 3 days, weed should be almost dissipated by then.
- Especially good for weeds growing in the cracks of concrete!
- Best method for this is to spray it and leave it!
- BONUS: This actually kills ants! I had ants running around the weed stuck in the driveway, and it killed the ones that got sprayed! It also deterred others from coming.
Will Salt Damage Soil?
Okay, I get this question all the time. I think there is some confusion about this solution. First, there really isn’t much salt in this solution! Excessive salt use on soil is bad…but this isn’t excessive. However, this isn’t meant for soil. It’s main use is touching up on sidewalks, concrete, etc. If you want to touch up weeds in flower beds, you don’t use much solution. Again, there isn’t much salt in comparison to the term heavy salt use. This solution compared to toxic round up is still healthier and safer, so you have to keep that in mind. Remember, this was created for sidewalks, cracks, concrete, rocks, or other spots weeds pop up you don’t want.
Will it work without the arthritis rub?
Yes, it will still work, but not as fast. I have tried it without the addition, and it didn’t do as well on those heavy duty weeds!
What if I can’t find this type of arthritis rub?
Anything thing in that section that has capsicum will work fine! This is the one I use and have for many years.
Can I just use ground peppers?
Capsicum is found in peppers, like cayenne pepper. We have tested it out using some cayenne, but it didn’t work as quickly. Peppers aren’t as soluble as this rub, so it doesn’t mix into the solution well. If you cannot find a liquid product with capsicum, you can definitely try using ground pepper. It will still work, but not as fast!
And remember this heat rub also contains the wintergreen, methyl salicylate.
We always test these solutions with every method to make sure we share the fastest way to get what you need!
What if I leave out capsicum completely?
It still works! The problem I found while testing this is how fast it worked. If you have a nice sunny day with temperatures in the high 90s and your weeds are in the sun, this solution works great and pretty fast. For weeds not in the sun, or if the weather is cooler, it doesn’t work quickly. Adding in the capsicum and methyl salicylate showed an increase in effectiveness, so I always use it!
AND, capsicum and methyl salicylate help enhance this for killing ants.
I’ve tried something similar, but the weeds grow back. Will that happen with this?
With this exact solution, weeds have never grown back. In fact, spray it and leave it. About a week later, the weeds start to disintegrate like they do with store-bought weed killer! I very rarely have to pull up dead weeds when I use this, they just disappear.
When vinegar and salt are sprayed onto weeds, it goes down into the root. It kills them after a few hours, they don’t grow back.
Ours has a secret ingredient to make the solution work quicker. Sometimes things like rain or dew can wash off ingredients before it has a chance to work, so this can causes weeds to not die all the way.
Does it have to be distilled vinegar?
Yes. That is the best type for this solution.
Can I eliminate the dish soap?
You can, but again, it will not be as effective.
Can I use any brand of dish soap?
Blue dawn is the best (read why here), but any type of dish washing soap can be substituted.
What about a vinegar weed killer recipe with epsom salt?
Many reports I have read online talk about epsom salt. There is a big difference between table salt and epsom salt. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, an ingredient commonly used to nourish plants. If you are using a homemade solution with this ingredient, it won’t work as well nor will it last.
Don’t use a DIY weed killer with epsom salt. Epsom salt is a nutrient for plants (like this homemade plant food). Regular cheap table salt is best!
What about Weeds in the Lawn?
Please be cautious using this, it can kill any living plant. I haven’t had it kill much grass, but it is best for areas where you want to kill everything like sidewalks, preparing a flower bed, patios, etc. As a chemist, I get asked about this often. Unfortunately, homemade solutions cannot be formulated to kill certain things, but not harm others (like grass). Anything you use to kill weeds, will also kill grass when it comes to homemade ingredients.
The best way to keep your lawn weed free is to make sure your soil and grass stay healthy. Also, make sure to keep your lawn mowed.
Round-Up vs Homemade Weed Killer
More and more people are searching for homemade solutions with the dangers of round-up being reported. Obviously, ingredients like vinegar, salt, and dish soap make homemade versions more safe. However, round-up has been chemically formulated to target specific weeds. Like we mentioned above, it is impossible for DIY versions to achieve this. This is why store-bought weed killers remain popular. It is the only way to kill a weed in a lawn without harming grass when it comes to spraying things.
Round-up does contain many chemicals, so this is why I shared a science based more natural weed killer years ago. I needed to kill the weeds in my rocked area without Ruger walking through it. I was worried about him getting it on his paws then tracking it into the house. So, homemade options are still safer for pets.
According to Amra Beganovich, founder of Amra and Elma and Colorful Socks, “developing my own homemade weed killer has especially been useful with two dogs and a baby. All three tend to place things into their mouth before I have time to intervene.”
In conclusion, what are homemade weed killers best for?
I think our DIY weed killer is perfect for sidewalks, fences, and especially rocked areas! I have river rock under our pergola and porch swing. It gets weeds during the spring, so I just spray our vinegar solution on it, and the weeds are gone!
Our secret ingredient makes it work FAST, so you don’t have to worry about possible rain.
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I like that you know exactly what goes into this – nothing harmful to YOU in this which is great! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Thanks girl! I love knowing what chemicals can work for certain things and sharing it! Saves so much time and money, not to mention much better for you too 🙂
Help. Can you convert this to gallons ? Please
I have a few gallon conversions in the comments, but readers have used this with success:
– 1 gallon of vinegar from Walmart
– 3 cups salt
– 1/3 cup Arthritis Rub
Mix the above to ensure that all of the salt dissolves.
– 1/8 cup Dawn
An virtually identical product can be found at Dollar Tree stores with the two chemicals Alexis mentioned, in regular (my term) and with wintergreen. A dollar per pint.
This recipe works so well, but because my better half gets SO MANY hot sauces as gifts & is particular about hot sauces, I’ve been using hot sauce instead of arthritis rub. (The hubs wants good flavor, not just burn, in case anyone’s interested.) My weed killer has worked GREAT on the weeds in cracks on our stone patio. Our toads live in our yard happily. Thank you so much, Alexis; you’re a genius ?
That is awesome!! Thank you for sharing. So happy you enjoy using this recipe!
Has your husband tried Crystal Hot Sauce? THE BEST flavor without burning your tongue off!
Not to my knowledge, but will look for it. Interestingly, he LOVES the heat, but not for the sake of the burning his tongue off. The sauce has to have good flavor for him to like it. 😉
Will this weed killer harm birds squirrels or chip.unks?
No it safe for all wildlife 🙂
I looked up if cayenne pepper would hurt weeds because I was going to make a spray and I found it only affects humans and animals. I suspect the real reason the arthritis stuff works is the alcohol.
alcohol dries out the leaves and roots
Thank you for this. I would rather buy local but haven’t found a local store with a product like this. Started using my better half’s oversupply of hot sauces. If they run out, I’ll check Dollar Tree. ?????
Great tip!
I have a problem with Argentina ants – little tiny ants that smell when squashed. Just for giggles I tried spraying them with Dawn Ultra power wash and they died immediately. Spraying their paths stopped them from coming back in for a couple of weeks.
‘I am going to change what I use to your receipt because it has a greater use.
Thank you for sharing,
I don’t understand the fill box “website” I do have a facebook account
Is this weed killer safe for deer if they would eat sprayed weeds?
Yes it is. Although, capsicum is a natural deterrent for wildlife, so they usually avoid it
This is awesome!!!!! I love your chemist facts to show how it works too. You have the best ideas so happy I found your blog. I’m trying this today!
Thanks so much! Happy you found it too 🙂 Let me know how it works for you! Have a great day!
Mind blown! Definitely showing this to my husband, weeds have been his nemesis lately in the landscaping!
Green Fashionista
This is such a safe way to kill weeds! Especially around our fur babies ??
Ah, the wondrous chemist strikes again! This I can get really get into… I have so many of those pesky weeds in concrete grooves that just don’t come out with manual pulling! Looking forward to trying this! I just need the capsicum solution! Die, weeds, die!
This has really helped us with those weeds in concrete cracks!! You’re right they are so hard to pull up too! I hope you enjoy using it ?
Very intriguing and interesting!
Thanks for sharing!
It is really such a great solution to keep at home! 🙂
Smart!! And so much better than using chemicals that have far reaching effects.
Thank you for sharing this at Thought of Home. 🙂
It’s definitely much better than those harsh chemicals. Plus it works just as great! Thanks Stacey 🙂
sounds awesome, will this harm bees or butterflies? Do you have a recipe for my flower garden for that moldy dusty stuff that gets on my flowers that won’t harm the bees? I seem to have so many less that I want to do what I can.
This will deter them from coming around, but they won’t try to land on it or anything so it shouldn’t harm them 🙂 In my newsletter that comes out this weekend, I have some information about powdery mildew. You can also send me an email via my contact button and I can send you some more details on it 🙂
What are the measurements for two gallons of this
This makes roughly 1/4 of a gallon (or so). Measurements don’t have to be too precise. I would times everything by about 3 or 4 for one full gallon. And more for each gallon. Hope this helps 🙂
I just discovered your page and I was just going to ask about a larger one-gallon batch.
Thank you! ☺☺
Hope you enjoy using it!
Would this kill moss?
I actually want to keep the moss. I live in a very shaded area and I have lots of moss, which I am trying to expand.
Thank you! Great website, great chemistry!!
Thanks Sally! It kills almost all plants, so you do need to be cautious when using it. I wouldn’t spray it on anything or near anything you want to keep. Have a great day!
Very cool; I never would have thought of this special ingredient! 🙂
Thanks so much! I love how easy it is to make 🙂
I used the epsom salts blue dawn and whit vinegar the first time worked really well but I was skeptical sooo I went and mixed another batch up used apple cider (raw unprocessed vinegar) about 3/4 gallon and used epsom salts normal amount and same normal amount of dawn it even killed a sassafrass tree and poke plants killed a wolfe spider and funnel web (orb weaver spider too.
It can definitely be very potent and kill growing plants! I always make sure to use it cautiously 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. It really helps a lot to make homemade weed killer.
Thank you! I love making simple solutions that are more safe 🙂
The question is……will they come back in a couple of weeks? I used, salt, vinegar and detergent and it certainly killed all the leaves that i sprayed but it did not kill the root. I saw the weeds sprouting again in a week or two . I read people’s comments on garden sites and most said the same “weeds come back within two weeks”. Will your “extra” ingredient kill the root?
Abe
I have been using this for awhile, and have never had weeds come back. In fact, about a week later and up to two weeks, they actually turn into almost dust. Most disappear completely. This extract ingredient really enhances the effect of this solution. Just vinegar and water can work, but it doesn’t work fast enough. Unless you live in an incredibly hot climate, you need an extra heated boost for it to work fast enough to kill the root.
Thank you so much for answering . I will certainly try your spray recipe with this new ingredient and will let you know how it works.
Abe
I have ivy that is out of control/ Will this work on that?
It definitely won’t work on poison ivy, but some weed like ivy it should kill. I haven’t used it personally for that.
Can you explain why this won’t work on poison ivy? What about Giant Hogweed? I went directly to a vinegar manufacturer and was able to purchase gallon jugs of 20% acetic acid vinegar (pickling vinegar is 10% I think). I had to buy a full ‘run’, so I think it was 20 cases x 4 jugs per case, but it was reasonably priced and well worth it! I sprayed it on weeds & it killed them instantly, but I didn’t use any of the other ingredients so unfortunately it didn’t kill roots and they grew back. If using 20% acetic acid be VERY CAREFUL- wear gloves & eye protection & avoid inhaling…this is strong smelling and corrosive stuff!
Poison ivy has very fiberous roots that usually shoot out over large surface areas, so it’s hard to kill the entire chain with homemade remedies. I’m not sure about giant hogweed, I haven’t had experience with that. If it had normal roots, it should work! I definitely don’t recommend commercial grade acetic acid, it’s very dangerous. This works with the combination of acid and salt plus the enhancement of the rub.
Hi I was told by an old gardener years ago if you hammer copper nails in a ring around the base of the ivy “make sure they touch each other” when they start to turn green the chemicals in the copper kills the ivy. I don’t know if pouring some vinegar on the nails will accelerate the process, hope this might be helpful.
That’s really interesting! Copper turns green with oxidation and turns to copper carbonate. Anything acetic, like vinegar, will definitely accelerate the process of copper turning green. I am not sure how much more it would kill the ivy, but it will definitely make the copper’s chemical reaction speed up.
Thanks for giving us safe solutions for our many costly and unsafe store bought problem solvers. Looking forward to what you have for us next.
Thanks Judy! I am so happy you enjoy my content and can’t wait to share more with you 🙂
Will this kill Pepper Trees? Or Eucalyptus? Please say yes!
I haven’t used it for either one, but this kills almost anything growing. You may need to use it a few times to kill it for something that is bigger with stronger roots.
We’ve tried everything. We keep chopping them down and they grow back really fast. We live on a canyon in So. Calif. and these trees are really bad in fires. You would think the drought would kill them but no. I’m going to try this. I’ll let you know.
Thanks!
I hope you can have some luck with this! If it is a really hardy, bush like weed you may need a couple of treatments.
To kill a tough shrub or tree like this, wait til fall when the sap starts to go down, cut the plant down and drill some holes in the stump. Pour your mix in the holes and the plant will carry it down into the roots as the sap draws down.
Thanks for sharing!
I have used HOT vinegar. Works well also. I usually run the vinegar through my coffee maker a couple of times 1st then pour it on the weeds. 2 birds 1 stone. I found it wasn’t as effective if using the sprayer but I will try your mixture!
I have found that added ingredient really helps accelerate this solution working in the sprayer. It works great if I can saturate all the leaves! I hope you can have some luck with it 🙂
I live in South Africa and we use a different terminology. Is dish soap what we call dish washer, e.g Sunlight Dish Washer which is purely for washing dishes?
Thanks so much for interesting information. Cant wait to try it.
It should be the same thing. Whatever you use to wash things like dishes that suds up is going to be similar. You should be able to use it 🙂
The only thing is it starts growing back within 2 to 3 weeks. We were all so excited the first time. Several of us have used it. Like that it is natural ingredients.
Second time we used it, it didn’t work as well. Those of us that tried it, had the same results.
Feel more comfortable using this than all those chemicals.
I have never had weeds grow back when I use this particular solution. In fact, after saturating the leaves, within a week or so they almost disappear. I hope you can try this one out 🙂
If you use this in an area that you plan to grow grass how long do you have to wait before seeding?
It isn’t strong enough to penetrate the soil very deep once weeds are gone. It should just soak into the main root, killing the leaves. I have cleaned out flower beds that aren’t in use with this. Once the weeds are dead, I make sure to add some healthy top soil before planting. For grass, I am sure it wouldn’t be more than a few weeks. I would definitely recommend adding some healthy fertilizer to the top soil to replenish the area with good nutrients.
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Alexis, why won’t it kill poison ivy? Do you have a formula for something that will? I have to search my yard for poison ivy several days in advance of mowing the lawn, and when I miss one or two plants, I suffer the consequences.
Also, instead of spraying it on the undesirable plants, can I use a brush (probably foam) and “paint” it on the plants I don’t want? I have black locust trees growing in various places in my lawn, and I want to kill the trees (they’re TERRIBLE when fully grown) but not the grass around it.
Thank you for this wonderful explanation of how the mixture works. I will visit your site again for additional information.
Hi Cathy! It doesn’t kill poison ivy because it has such a fibrous root system. Very little can penetrate it down to the roots. We’ve had tested various solutions over the last 10 years (my parents tested things for almost 20 years). The only thing they really killed poison ivy was Roundup specifically formulated for it. Obviously, it isn’t something we like to use much since it is such a heavy chemical, but it is the only thing that kills the actually main root system.
You can definitely brush this one, although it won’t stick on as well since it’s a very light liquid formula. It may be more prone to slide off if brushed on. The spray bottle delivers a small amount without dripping off. You can definitely try it though in small doses to see how it works of you! Let me know if you have any other questions!
What if you use a needle and syringe and inject the ivy root?
It will kill that ivy if it’s small. Larger more established ones it won’t usually kill with one treatment.
I am using a watering can to pour on the poison ivy and other weeds since I don’t want anything growing on the fence. I did it last year with a formula which was with all the ingredients you use, (except your secret one), but it just hit or miss with the proportions. It still managed to kill the poison ivy. I would cut the thick, hairy poison ivy vines first, before using the spray on the rest.
Thanks for sharing!
Cathy, I have the same problem with weedy trees (thanks to my neighbor’s huge tree blowing seeds all over). I used to just cut them down, but then five new stems appear. Finally, on those small weedy trees with a wide enough main ‘trunk,’ I either punch nail holes or drill into the wood, and then pour strong salt water (or this formula) into them. Depending on size, sometimes multiple applications are necessary.
Alexis, So glad to have found your newsletter. This is a formula I will definitely try.
That’s a great tip Jan! Thanks for sharing, I hope you enjoy using this formula 🙂
Poison Ivy and poison oak are perennials with more woody like structure. Wheras most common weeds are annuals with tender vegetative structure (thinner cell walls and less complicated and less stout internal systems).
Be sure to read our post on poison ivy.
That’s so funny ! Who knew that would kill harsh weeds. Thank you for the recipeThanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on Twitter! Have a great week!
Kim
Thanks Kim! It is a really fun solution to make for weeds!
Since capsicum comes from peppers, wouldn’t ground red pepper work just as well? The 0.0012% included in the rub seems minimal and I haven’t done the chemistry, but would think the actual pepper would have a higher concentration than just over one one hundredth percent.
We have tested both, the ground pepper doesn’t have as good solubility causing it not to be as effective. You can definitely use ground cayenne, but again, it doesn’t work as fast. We wanted to create a solution that would be fast acting. There is also the addition of the winter green in the rub which enhances this. You can actually leave out the capsicum all together and the solution will still work, but takes longer to kill the weed.
I love these chemist facts!! Nothing better than a homemade weed killer! I would like to invite you to our party. We would love to have you! https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/09/14/the-homesteader-hop-20/
Thanks so much! I would love to join you! Heading over now 🙂
This is awesome and I’m definitely keeping it for next year for our garden! Thanks for linking up with us at the “To Grandma’s House We Go” Link Party, pinned!
This is such a great solution to keep around for weeds! I hope you get to enjoy it next year 🙂
How Interesting, Vinegar is so useful! thanks for the info!
Thanks Marisa! Vinegar really is so interesting 🙂
Thanks for giving us safe solutions for our many costly and unsafe store bought problem solvers.
Thanks so much! I really enjoy getting to share all these fun tips with everyone 🙂
The capsicum is actually in the pulp l make hot sauce by scraping the pulp off the skins of my jalapeno peppers (which i grow) and pulverize them in my Magic bullet then l add water to that and boil until it becomes a thin liquid similar the the consistency of store bought hot sauce. would this work in the recipe
You can definitely try adding some of that into this mix. The arthritis rub is pretty concentrated, but it also has wintergreen in it which helps this work faster too. It will still work without it, just not as fast 🙂
Wouldn’t the salt content hurt any vegetables if using in a vegetable garden?
This solution will hurt any growing plant, so it’s best to use it on and near weeds only. If you think run off would impact a plant, don’t use the weed killer in that area too, just to be safe.
Reading this article was very timely for me. Last week I was experimenting and I poured just a little bit of apple cider vinegar on some young weeds. I checked a few days later and was amazed to see that they had died. I decided to go with the vinegar but you just made even better! Like you I don’t like using poisons where my dog hangs out. I’m going to make this weed killer for my garden. Thanks much!
This does really well and works fast, which I really love! I hope you enjoy using it 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
Do you have a solution for killing weeds mixed in my grass but that won’t harm my furry kids??
I haven’t come up with anything I like yet. It is hard to make a homemade solution that won’t harm the grass too. Most I have tried are a little to harsh on the grass. But I am working on something now! Feel free to check back with me soon and keep an eye out for a post as well 🙂
Thanks for responding!! I will for sure keep checking & hope you have a solution!!
How long does the weed killer last?
Once you make it, it can last a few months in the bottle. I’ve had some on hand that’s a few months old and it still has good potency.
Hi Alexis – I made your recipe a few weeks ago and I am impressed. I has killed everything I’ve sprayed and is just as effective as Round Up. Tonight I made more for my spray bottle and when I was finished I realized that I used apple cider vinegar which was sitting right next to the white vinegar. To me they both smell strong but I hope my mistake isn’t a big one. Can you make a suggestion like more salt or arthritus rub, etc.?
I am so happy you like this solution John. It is one of my favorites 🙂 Apple cider vinegar is a little less acidic, but it should work just as well to be honest. I would try adding in 1 more tablespoon of salt and a few more teaspoons of arthritis rub to balance out the lack of acidity. That should allow it to work like white vinegar! Let me know how it goes or if you have any other questions 🙂
Wow! You are real! I will try your suggestion and let you know. Glad I asked.
Absolutely fabulous! I have wanted to do away with chemical weed killers. My husband uses them. I made the weed killer. And WOW! The next day the leaves have shriveled up. My husband said it works better than his stuff. I have a new assignment as THE Weed Killer in the family. Bought your ebook. Well worth every penny. Can’t wait to share your helpful recipes and website.
I am so happy to hear that Kay!! It really is such a great solution and helps out so much every year! I hope you enjoy everything else from the ebook too!! Have a great day!
I am having trouble with the spray bottle. The salt is clogging the sprayer. I ordered pickling/canning salt which is finer…still doesn’t dissolve. Left it overnight, shook and shook, nothing. Any suggestions? I also have new spray bottles which got 4-5 star reviews.
Hi Caroline! I haven’t encountered this problem before….the spray bottles I use aren’t necessarily expensive, but I make sure they have wide tubes and spouts. In fact, the one I currently have this weed killer in is for hair products. Most of the salt should be dissolved when you make this solution. I have very little that settles to the bottom. Shaking is definitely good. I would try warming the vinegar in the microwave just until it’s warm, then adding the ingredients. It might help your salt to dissolve better. You can also add it to a watering can and try it with that. For large surfaces, I like to do that for faster application. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you for your helpful suggestions. I had thought of warming the vinegar, but was worried that it might somehow make it less effective. I think warming the vinegar, adding the salt, stirring to dissolve, allowing it to cool and then adding the remaining ingredients should work.
I hope it works for you Caroline! Keep me posted and let me know if you have any other questions 🙂
Hi Caroline. I have just been reading the posts to try this weed killer. I was wondering if heating the vinegar to dissolve the salt worked or did it reduce the effectiveness? Thanks
Heating the vinegar won’t reduce its effectiveness 🙂 it should work the same
Alexis – I’ve been using your plant killer since March and I really love it! But as weed are new ones pop up. We’re in a rainy period here in Denver and I was wondering if rain can dilute the week killer. I was thinking that since once it’s on the plant the chemical takes effect anyway. Is this the case? I’ll never use anything else! Thanks much!
Rain can definitely dilute the weed killer. Mine is usually pretty good if I can apply it a day in advance. And then if it is really rainy for a long period of time, it can dilute the soil where the weed killer was. I haven’t had that issue, but our weather is so warm, the soil doesn’t stay saturated for very long.
Does this kill the roots? If using in an area to prepare a bed, how long to wait before planting?
Thank you.
Yes it kills the roots and the weeds won’t come back. I would wait a few weeks and make sure to add healthy soil to the flower beds before planting.
Can I use in my vegetable garden before the snow fly’s in larger quantity for a larger area in preparation to spring plantings? Weekly usage till Spring?
Yes, you can use this any time of year to kill out anything you want before planting. It probably won’t need to be weekly, but feel free to use as often as needed. I would stop use a month before planting anything to prep the soil 🙂
I was going to try this formula and got all the ingredients but now I’m confused. I’m good with the vinegar and table salt but I also ordered the red sport arthritis rub you listed in the article with the capsicum and methyl salicylate. Where I am confused is in the FAQ section you answered about using Epsom Salt with NO, it can actually feed the weed. Well the Summit arthritis rub you recommend has Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salt) listed on label under inactive ingredients. So wouldn’t using this formula then be contradictory to the FAQ? Or is there just so little of the rub that it would not matter? Thanks!
If you’ll notice, magnesium sulfate is listed as an “inactive ingredient” for this arthritis rub. This means it has a small amount that doesn’t effect solution. The reason you wouldn’t want to replace the entire amount of salt with magnesium sulfate, is this is the majority of the solution. It would change how it works. The arthritis rub is only for the capsicum source and it only contains a small amount. Hope this helps. Thanks!
is the arthritis lotion a liquid or a salve.
I have never seen liquid arthritis TREATMENT.
It is just a regular liquid. You will find it in the first aide section of your store near the peroxide, alcohols, and other treatments.
I found it online.
Thank You. I truly Iike to use everyday items I have on hand. I have been using Dawn and really hot water for big Fire Ant Hills out in my yard. I will add Vinegar and Salt to that mixture. I usually pour it around the edges and then the middle and let it set a few minutes then open up the hill and fill the hole . Let it drain down then fill it again. This procedure seems to work the best.
It is so nice to use everyday items!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I look forward in trying it. Just to double check since I did not see It or might have missed it… This weed killer recipe is perfectly safe for dogs or cats that might sniff it or walk on it…right?
Yes they can walk on it or sniff, there are no toxic ingredients in it, so it’s safe 🙂
Is this weed spray save for pets ?
Yes it’s safe for animals
Can I spray it and then put mulch on top of it?
Yes, but I would allow the spray to work for 24 hours since the sunlight will enhance it. After that, you can cover with mulch.
Im supposed yo use 24d on burrs in our horse pasture. Will this work on them . They r pretty well established. I hate using chemicals.
It might work, but you will need multiple treatments for larger or well established weeds.
Thank you so much for the informative information on the weed killer. I have creeping Charlie in our pasture and going to try while our horses are gone.
I hope this can help you!!
Hi fellow Texan! Have you tried it on bermuda grass? night shade? or johnson grass? Those 3 are my problem! I really hate to use Round up. Hoping this will work….even if I have to use it daily to get my garden back. Thank you for testing this out and sharing, AND answering all these questions!
It definitely kills Bermuda which I have in my sidewalk cracks. I don’t know about the other ones though. It is worth a try! Let me know if it works
Would an alcohol with wintergreen work as a substitution in a pinch?
You can try it. The solution will work without the arthritis rub, it just makes it work faster. You can try subbing the alcohol with wintergreen for speeding up the process too.
Will this work on thistle?? So hard to kill!!
Thistle is hard to kill. I haven’t tried this solution for that before, but you would definitely need to use a few treatments.
Does this work on clover?
Any recommendations for killing bugs that attack roses?
This does kill clover. I have only tried it on small patches, but it killed it. I have tried a few things for insects on roses. Here is a link to my post on that: https://chemistrycachet.com/tips-for-making-your-rose-blooms-big-beautiful-and-healthy/
Is the Salt supposed to melt in the liquid? I ask because I’m using Walmarts Great Value table salt and because it doesn’t melt it clogs up every sprayer put this week killer in and in one it just would never work again with this solution. Will heating the ingredients help the salt melt? Otherwise I love your weed killer and so do people I’ve referred to your site.
The salt won’t melt. You have to shake well before each spray to get the salt to mix evenly. You can try heating the ingredients, some of our readers ave done so with success. I like to use a spray bottle with a really wide nozzle too.
What if it is sunny the day you do it and then rains the next day? Do I have to wait for a few sunny days in a row?
It typically works within that day, so you should be fine with a nice sunny day for the day of treatment. I always like to make sure it doesn’t rain the day after though so it will be a good treatment.
Have you used this to kill Blackberry bushes???
I haven’t tried it for that! It will take many treatments for large plants though
Salt in the soil lasts and lasts. Make sure you don’t want ANYTHING to grow in that spot for awhile. Don’t over spray.
I’m trying to find the chemical explanations of how this actually works but don’t see anything. I know salt pulls the water out of the cell sap vacuoles (sp?), but wanted to understand the part the vineager plays.
I have it listed under the chemistry of the solution. Salt catalyzes the reaction of the vinegar. The vinegar, acetic acid, burns the leaves of weeds eventually killing it 🙂 This solution isn’t too strong, so I have sprayed it in flower beds before planting to kill all the weeds. A few weeks later, I have planted flowers and plants. They flourish and do well in the beds.
If you use this to prepare a flower bed how long do you have to wait to plant flowers if it kills everything and how do you prepare the soil for more flowers.
I have a neighbor that has vines coming over the fence that are OUT OF CONTROL and want to kill them on my side without the spray landing on the grass that I have left how can I kill the vines without hurting the grass and then will the grass come back or will I have to replant seeds and will they come back since the dirt was affected?
I have used this in flower beds and waited a few weeks before planting. I always bring in more soil too. You would need a lot of this solution to kill a bunch of vines. If it lands on the grass, it can harm that too, so it is best not to spray grassy areas. If you do and grass dies, you would need to probably add in some seed to the patchy areas.
Is this safe for bees?
I have never had this harm or effect bees near where I have sprayed it.
Love the weed killer recipe. Works great. I’m having a promlem with my spray bottles not spraying half way thru the bottle. I’m guessing it’s the salt? How can I prevent this. I even ordered the bottles you recommended.
The salt won’t fully dissolve, so I always shake it very hard before I use apply it. Then, you can soak the spray nozzle in some hot soapy water after use or vinegar to get rid of any residue. If it is still tough, you can just use an open spout to pour the weed killer onto the weeds. Hope this helps!
I like to use home made stuff it seems to work better and is cheaper.
I agree!
Is this safe to use around an above ground pool?
Yes, it is safe. Just don’t use it on plants
Hi. Just found your site. Eager to try this weed killer. I have several areas in my yard that have that terrible viscous grass that has terrible white root systems that dominates below the soil surface and spreads in every directions. Nothing I have used has eliminated it. Hoping your formula will help me eradicate it along with the ghastly bind weed that must be the agent In the center of the Earth that surely helps our planet stay intact
I hope you enjoy using it! Those types of grasses and weeds are very difficult to kill with the advanced root system, so it can take multiple treatments 🙂
I don’t know if this is the right place for an easy way to clean your clothes dryer lint filter. But I found if you use dryer sheets for fabric softening in the dryer. The old used dryer sheets will wipe away the lint on the lint filter like a breeze. No need in licking your fingers or pulling your hair out, to get that fine lint off the lint screen anymore. And don’t forget that the birds love that lint to use in making their nests.
I do the same thing!
I can’t wait to try this recipe!!! Thank you for sharing. Sounds great!!!!
Hope you enjoy it!
I absolutely love this website! So after reading the portion about the capsicum and Methyl salicylate I went to Amazon to search your suggested product and found 16oz bottles for around $7-$8, I noticed however that it’s 70% alcohol which is great for your Clorox wipes alternative which is what brought me to this site to begin with and absolutely love the solution., Capsicum 0.0012% and Methyl salicylate 0.61%. However is the alcohol a necessary part of the weed killer solution and if not why not just buy the capsicum/Methyl salicylate in pure essential oil form? Found it here:
$12.95 Capsicum: https://www.amazon.com/Capsicum-Essential-Oil-Therapeutic-Oakland/dp/B07772GGD2/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1530288142&sr=1-3&keywords=Capsicum
$12,99 Methyl salicylate: https://www.amazon.com/Wintergreen-Large-ounce-Best-Essential/dp/B00R8GX5WO/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1530289368&sr=1-5&keywords=Methyl+salicylate
Thank you! Glad you enjoy it 🙂 You can use the essential oil if you’d like. You can usually buy the arthritis rub for a few dollars at the grocery store, so it will be more economical to start. You don’t use much of it. This weed killer even works without those ingredients, they are strictly for speeding up the process 🙂
Would this be harmful to fish or other aquatic life? We have weed issues around our lake including trees growing up in the rip rap along the dam. We need to keep it clear from trees especially. Also in the sand beach weeds grow up quick! Any advice?
No it is mild enough to not be harmful. You wouldn’t want to use large amounts of salt, but this doesn’t contain much. I have never used it around fish, but many of our readers have with success. If you want to be cautious about it, you can double check with your local ag office.
When you say to put the stuff in bottle you don’t say he dawn which I assume you mix with the rest?
All directions are listed. You just mix everything together
Really 3/4 CUP of salt? My sprayer is all clogged
Yes 3/4 cup. You need to shake before use and be sure to use a large nozzle.
I’m sorry I read the directions and I see the salt vinegar and capsicum it doesn’t say dawn but I mixed it in anyway and sprayed let’s see what happens
Hope you enjoy it! Our readers have loved it for many years 🙂
I’m going to try this but with a couple of twists:
1) I’m going to use some very outdated body-wash which will hopefully suffice as the Surfactant (in lieu of Dawn).
2) I’ll be using “rock salt” – – under the brand name: Solar Naturals 40, Diamond Crystals – – though I’m not sure if it’s the same stuff that seems to kill off most of the vegitation (as applied to our roads during winter).
Let’s see what happens. . .
The body wash can work, but it might not “stick” as well as dawn. It is worth a shot! The solar naturals is used for water softening. I looked it up to see the specifications and it says it is almost 99% salt, so it should work too. It probably won’t dissolved as well, but it will be a good source of sodium chloride. Hope it works for you!
Quick question: I have Anis plants killing everything else off and taking over my yard, will this solution also kill it off too? In other words, does this work for all plants or specific ones?
Thanks
This kills everything, even good plants, so just be cautious using it on things you don’t want to kill. I am not sure what type of root system that has, so it might take multiple treatments.
Thanks Alexis. I hope this works and I appreciate the information. I was contemplating injecting the solution into the base of the plant as I wasn’t sure if it would go to the root better/faster.
If I use this in an area where I want to grow something else later, will the new plants be affected by the weed killer?
Thanks
No, I’ve used it in flower beds to clean them out. Then I wait about 2 weeks before planting. I also add a good layer of Potting/top soil.
Thank you this was very helpful!
Does it have to be that much salt. Can’t get all the salt to dissolve and then it plugs the spray bottle.
Yes, this is the amount of salt you need for solution to work. Always shake well before spraying and make sure to use a large nozzle spray bottle. You can also just pour solution 🙂
Will non iodized salt work?
Yes 🙂
will this kill stinging nettle?
I have used it on small bunches of stinging nettle and it works 🙂
I read that you don’t recommend using commercial grade vinegar (like 20%), because you feel it’s too dangerous. But from a purely chemical point of view, would this solution not be so much more potent using 20% acetic acid? There are several comments about weeds growing back after 2 weeks or more. I assume the 20% acetic acid would be much more effective at killing the roots in the first pass. Your thoughts?
I have never had weeds grow back…if used properly. If a weed has an advanced root system, it may require a few treatments. Commercial grade can be fine to use if you have it on hand, but I don’t like recommending it to my readers because it is more dangerous. It will also stay in the ground longer, so you have to wait longer to plant anything if you are using it in flower beds or something like that. But any acetic acid works 🙂
Why is blue Dawn better than other products?
Great question! I actually have a post coming in 2 weeks about blue Dawn and why I use it. I will send you the link then 🙂 In short, I have tested out many different dishwashing liquids, it has been the best one for homemade cleaners and solutions.
1. How long before you can actually plant your flowers after using this weed killer when preparing your flower bed?
2. Can you kill Yucca plants? Their roots grow very, very deep and crooked. About 4 ft deep.
I’ve waited a few weeks, and have planted flowers. They did fine in the flower beds. If you use a large amount of this, you might want to wait 3-4 weeks. For something as large as Yucca, you would need at least a few gallons of this solution to pour over it. It might need multiple treatments too.
Do you have to use up the mixture the day you mix it or can remainder be left in the spray bottle for next time use?
It can be left in the bottle. Just make sure to shake reallly well before using the next time. I have kept this mixed up in a spray bottle for a few months and used it when needed.
We are trying to get rid of the violets in the grass. Very large shaded yard but has been neglected for years by previous owners. Even if it kills the small amount of grass (more violets then grass is there a time duration to wait to replant grass?
Depending on how much you need to use, it’s best to wait at least 2-3 weeks. I would wait another week or two if you plan on using a large amount
Thanks for the recipe! I’m curious about using salt. My understanding is that regular salt is not good for the soil – it will make it inhospitable to future planting. So OK for driveways, sidewalk cracks but not somewhere you have other plants or want to plant in future. I heard epsom salts are what you should use as it is not really a “salt”. Thoughts?
Heavy salt use for long periods of time can be hard on the soil, but this doesn’t harm the soil for long periods. It doesn’t have enough salt in it. I typically wait about 2-3 weeks before planting after use. Everything grows very well after waiting that amount of time 🙂
Can this solution be used in a garden sprayer? I have the one that I used to use for roundup (no longer). I was wondering if the sprayer would work or would the dawn tend to clog up the works? Let me know if there is any information on this.
Thank you,
Mike
I’ve had some readers who have used a sprayer with success, but I haven’t tried it. The salt can clog it, so you would need to make sure to shake really well while spraying. It is worth a try!
Does this kill the roots of the weeds ?
Yes, it does for small weeds.
How does this work on perennial weeds like dandelion, quackgrass, and especially grabgrass?
Thanks
It works great on dandelions. Crabgrass is tough due to its root structure move used it on there before with luck, but it does take multiple treatments
Hello. I’ve used thus a few times on dollar weeds and it really works well. Is this safe to use on St Augustine grass as i do have dollar weeds all throughout my yard. Thank you in advance.
Christian
It is best to not use this on any grasses you don’t want to harm. While it isn’t as effective on grass killing, it can still harm it, so I don’t use it on my lawn.
What do you use for your lawn? I have some serious burr weed patches that need to be controlled in my st. Augustine grass.
There isn’t a homemade version that can kill weeds but not kill grass. I do use my homemade lawn food though which helps nourish grass and soil. It has helped get rid of weeds overtime.
Is it safe to use as a burn down in a raised garden bed? Mine needs to be sprayed or I’ll have to weed it by hand and its rather large and my hands have arthritis in them.
I have used it in garden beds, Just make sure to wait 2-3 weeks before planting and always add a good layer for top soil
Would peppermint oil work as a catalyst? How about menthol crystals dissolved in PG or water?
I ask because I already have that stuff
Peppermint will be fine. It won’t work as quickly as the capsicum liquid, but will still help!
Hi,
Can you keep leftover mixture in a jar? I’ve seen some mixtures have warnings which say chemical reactions can occur if you put leftovers into a sealed container.
Thank you
Yes, you can put it into a jar. It just needs to be shaken really well before adding into a spray bottle
Every time I use this recipe I am impressed!
Thank You ?
Yay! Thanks for sharing Tammy! It is such a great recipe 🙂
If used in place you want to plant, flower, vegetables, grass, can these be planted after use.
You will need to wait a few weeks, then add a layer of healthy top soil. I have had many readers do this in flower beds before planting and it works great for them!
Just found your recipe and had a very difficult time finding the arthritis rub that wasn’t in cream form. As a last ditch effort I went to Dollar Tree, and there it was,near the rubbing alcohol. Felt like I had found a gold mine! Hurried home and mixed it up and used it on a bed I’m trying to get control of. Killed the oxalis weeds and dandelions overnight, taking a bit longer for the tougher ones, but can’t wait to try it on my creeping Charlie and wild strawberry. Both try every year to take over my garden. I really like it because I get almost instant gratification when the weeds collapse so quickly and it is much safer than roundup.
Thank you so much for developing this. I’m going to tell everyone about it!
I’m glad you were able to find it at the dollar store! I am so glad to hear you liked this homemade recipe, it really is great. And thank you so much for sharing 🙂
I actually have a question for you. You mentioned that it was important to use a specific type of spray bottle, but I did not see that in the post. Is there anyway that you can send that to me please? I would greatly appreciate it. I also want to thank you for sharing this weed killer.
Here are my favorite spray bottles:
Can I get your book at a bookstore? Also what type of spray bottle do you recommend.
Hi Shelby! No, our book is an eBook for easy use. Here is some more information on our eBook. These are my spray bottle recommendations.
My weeds are about 6 ft tall already. Can I cut them down before using the Homemade weed killer? Does the solution work best sprayed on the leaves? If so, can I cut them down to a few leaves and then spray, or do I have to spray the whole 6 ft plant?
This recipe is awesome and I have some serious challenges in my back yard. I appreciate you providing a simple concoction to help everyone with this annoying problem, I have all the ingredients already, just need that little tip
For weeds that tall, I would definitely cut them down some, leaving enough of the plant to get saturated. Since they are that tall, I would make sure to use a lot of weed killer. You might need a few treatments depending on how large the root is.
Can this be used on poison ivy?
After reading all the notes afaik, I realize it does not work for poison ivy. Given that Roundup causes cancer, it would be so good if you were able to come up with something for poison ivy. Thanks!
Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for poison ivy. Poison ivy is almost impossible to kill due to the root system. You have to kill the main source, which is hard to find. The two methods we have used besides round up are goats (lol) which we can’t have where I live, but also gasoline. My husband has poured gas onto the ivy and it dies. Of course, this isn’t good to do when it is hot or dry!
I have been using this for years! It is the only diy weed killer that has worked for me. I love how it kills the entire weed so they don’t come back. I use it around my driveaway and sidewalks, so I don’t have to pull the weeds. Thank you for sharing it
Thank you for sharing Donna! I am so happy you have been enjoying it all these years. It has come in handy for all my sidewalks too
What % acidity of vinegar.
Grocery store vinegar is usually 5%
The stronger acidity vinegar is much more expensive..
We always use regular vinegar from the store for our recipes, 5%
What happens with the root underground? Does that die also? Killing the top part is great, but does nothing if the root of the weed is still alive.
Yes, it kills the root. Please watch video for details 🙂
Thanks!
My husband,Harry and I are involved in a committee to tend our Laybrinth,which is covered in small pebbles. Of course, this gives the weeds full access to grow. We recently spent about 5 days,manually digging all the tiny sprigs of grass and tiny weeds,a tiring task.
We are sooo excited to use this recipe,next. Thank you for breaking down the ingredients for everyone.
Harry is a 3 time cancer survivor,from being sprayed,by our government, with Agent Orange in Vietnam. Can you say Roundup?
I hope you and your husband enjoy using it! It works great for that type of area
Is this safe for pets (dogs) to walk on after its sprayed on a patio area?
Yes
Great stuff. Thank you!
Awesome thanks!
I cannot got your special ingredient in the uk in liquid form only gel or cream, do you know of an equivalent or will it work without it?
The solution will work without it, just not as quick. Many of my European readers have found it online, but they have also used different brands. If you are able to find anything liquid in that section with capsicum, you can use it. If you aren’t able to find anything, you can eliminate it. Just keep in mind, it won’t work as quickly. Hope this helps 🙂
I am very interested in your recipe for homemade weed killer. I have these crazy wild violets in the yard. Will this recipe effectively eradicate them? Those little nodules are very difficult to get rid of.
Also, the favorite spray bottle that you use, does it have the red or blue nozzle?
It can kill those violets, but it will take multiple treatments! Those things are very hard to get rid of! I have them on my side yard. I cute them down short, then spray inside the stem. I use both the red and blue nozzle ones shown in the pictures and video. They are the same spray bottle, just different colors. I hope this helps 🙂
I need a recipe for spraying around my privacy fence for grass. And any economical sprayers for arthritic hands?
Hi Cindy! Many of our readers have liked these spray bottles mentioned in this post including an automatic sprayer. I also have arthritis in my fingers, so I have liked the spray bottles listed under garden use. Keep in mind the automatic spray bottles might get clogged with salt more easily. This solution will kill weeds and grass, so it is not meant to spray on grass you want to keep. Unfortunately, there is no way to formulate a DIY weed killer to not kill grass. Here is some more information on that:
Why is it not possible to make a homemade weed killer that doesn’t hurt grass. You could formulate one at home of youre skilled like yourself. I think you mean with regular household Ingredients it’s not. My uncle was a chemist and formulated one in his garage. He also came up with a similar formulation for everyday diy uses. Great content
You can’t formulate one at home with household products like this. It would require different ingredients, not things you would share for anyone to make at home
What on here will download to save? I’m afraid I’ll lose it and must start again to findyou.. which I found accidentally…
Hi Bonnie, you can pin this post to pinterest or just save the link to come back and reference! Feel free to follow us on social media too 🙂
I didn’t want to run out in this climate, so I improvised: I take cayenne (40K H. U.) as a supplement, so I threw a several in with a bit of warm water to melt. I also added a bit of isopropyl ETOH to mimic the muscle rub. For good measure I added a few drops of eucalyptus and citronella oils which I normally use for the ants and rodents here in so cal. I feel safe knowing my teen with ASD (who LOVES Chemistry BTW) can help me with the spray (can we say chore city right now) and not have after effects that will do who knows what to that beautiful brain of his…TY!!!
That is a great way to improvise!! I just made a batch of this yesterday and got all the weeds in my rock area sprayed
We haven’t found anything that works, homemade or store bought. An employee of our electricity company gave us a small sample of the formula they use to keep the power lines free of trees and brush, trying it this weekend, hope it works.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Hi Alexis! I mixed up a batch of your weed killer and found that since the salt doesn’t disintegrate, it clogs my sprayer hose. I’m using a pump sprayer. Any suggestions?
This solution has trouble in many pump sprayers, it does best in the spray bottle or wash bottle. Many readers who have tried pump sprayers have had success heating the vinegar up then adding the salt which can help it dissolve a little. Shaking solution vigorously before spraying also helps. Unfortunately, the salt does not dissolve all the way which is what makes this homemade recipe work. You want the salt pieces to adhere to the weeds 🙂
Could one avoid the clogging problem by omitting the salt from the mixture and simply spray the weeds with the remaining ingredients, then following up spreading the salt with a regular kitchen salt shaker? Also how would this work on bamboo?
You can try it! I have noticed the salt doesn’t stick to weeds as well if you do it separate, so it won’t work as well. But if you are having issues with clogs, you can give it a try. This works on bamboo if you are able to cut it and pour like that onto the stem. We have had readers use it on bamboo this way
Do you use regular 5% vinegar or do you use/have you tried 20% or 30% vinegar in this mixture?
Everything we make uses regular 5% vinegar found in the grocery section of the store. We prefer this type as opposed to 20 or 30 percent for safety reasons for handling, etc. You can read this post for more information on vinegar.
Thanks Alexis! Have you noticed the weeds growing back not long after applying this? I’ve used both 20% and 30% vinegar with salt in the past on weeds between pavers and the weeds came back with a vengeance a couple weeks later.
This solution will kill the roots, so the same weed will not grow back. I have tested it many different conditions, the most important thing is making sure no rain or dew will was solution away. Also, our secret ingredient makes this work quicker and kill the roots quickly before it washes off.
I love this and it works. However, it clogs up on every spray bottle I’ve tried. I even bought the ones you said were your favorite via the link to Amazon. What am I doing wrong? I made the solution exactly as you showed. Help
Climate can impact the issues with salt clogging. You can try decreasing the salt a little bit or just our the mixture and eliminate the spray nozzle. Also, make sure the salt is very fine. You can crush it more before adding to the mix. I don’t have any issues, but if your climate is dryer or cooler, it can make the salt harden. You want the salt to stay this way because it makes mixture work better…but if it is clogging the sprayer, those are my suggestions. I have tried heating the vinegar mixture, then adding the salt. That can help, but it doesn’t dissolve all the way.
I should have read this comment before doing mine. What worked for me was: (1) only stir in about 1 teaspoon at a time until it’s fully dissolved, then repeat (about 20 times) until done (2) heating the vinegar did help me; I only heated it about 1 minute in the microwave to get it warm so I didn’t have fumes throughout my house (3) reduced the salt by a few tablespoons. (4) Use the best spray bottle you can. I did try getting all the 3/4 cup to dissolve but some wouldn’t dissolve. For me, having nearly the full amount of salt completely dissolved so I could spray without clogs was worth it. When it clogs, it makes weed-killing very frustrating. Hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing!
The solution works – even on poison ivy, though I usually have to hit it a few times as that plant is tough! However the solution also clogs my sprayer fast because of the high salt content. I have found that I can dissolve almost the entire 3/4 cup salt in the vinegar without the salt settling out if I stir only about a teaspoon at a time until it’s fully dissolved. This method is slow – taking about 20 minutes per batch – because it takes about 20 teaspoons. Heating the vinegar some (in a microwave for 1 minute) helps it dissolve faster, but I was wary about causing irritating fumes in the house. Do you do anything to avoid having the solution clog your sprayer? If so, does your method take less time than mine? Thanks.
Heating vinegar is fine and safe. If this helps, you are welcome to do it. I don’t have issues with clogging because of my climate and using a large spray nozzle. I also rinse the sprayer after each use, so salt doesn’t collect.
Hi, I am in the UK and having a hard time trying to find a liquid arthritis with your secret ingredient of capsicum and/or methyl salicylate. Do you know of anything that I can buy over here. I really believe that salt is an excellent weed and ant killer, as I used that last year, but your receipe sounds terrific and a much better way of treating weeds. Do you know of anything I can buy over here with you secret ingredient as I have tried absolutely everywhere.
Many thanks, in advance, for your help
Linda Dodd
Hi Linda! A couple of things you can try…find a powdered pure capsicum supplement. Many readers have found this online or in a health food store. It is not very expensive and can be added into mixture. You can also find a liquid capsicum in the dropper form which can be added. You can even try adding in some hot sauce like Tobasco sauce (or something similar in the UK) and add in that. If they have any type of arthritis rub in your area at the grocery store, check ingredients. If you see the word capsicum anywhere, that’ll work too! If all else fails, our solution still works without secret ingredient. It won’t work as quickly, but it is still beneficial for weed killing. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
I am thinking of using this versus using Speedzone to kill off everything and then over seed (in the fall).
A multi question
How long after I use this can I over seed?
Should I use your lawn food recipe on the soil after using the weed killer and before over seeding (replace the potentially lost nutrients in the soil)?
This solution is mild, so you only need to wait a few week before planting or seeding. Keep in mind, this doesn’t necessarily kill grass like it does weeds due to grasses roots. It does kill most weeds. The DIY lawn food works best when applied to already growing grass as opposed to just soil. I hope this helps!
Can you link to your copyright for this mixture?
Chemistry Cachet copyright is at the bottom of our website. This recipe was first posted on Chemistry Cachet blog protected under the DMCA. More info here.
Salt burns toads and frogs skin and can dehydrate/kill them if they eat vegetation sprayed with salt even in the smallest amounts. So I’m questioning how safe this is?
This is much more safe than anything store-bought. This soaks into leaves almost immediately upon spraying 🙂 We have dozens of toads in our flower beds and have never been bothered by this spray
What if I’m really impatient and want to do this while there’s rain in the forecast for the next week? These darn weeds look horrendous and they caused me to have a rash. I want revenge now lol. They’re located in my mulch. I will never be growing plants in this area, it’s right by an air conditioning unit. Can I just dump this stuff in that entire area instead of lightly spraying?
Many readers make this in a pitcher and pour onto weeds, you don’t have to spray. You can apply it, but if it rains in a few hours after application, it is possible it won’t get down to the root of weeds in time. I would try to do it at least on a day without rain 🙂
Thanks for the quick reply on top of the already great recipe! I didn’t realize how impossible it would be to find ANYTHING with capsicum in my entire town. I went to 4 stores and gave up and ordered it on Amazon lol. Should be here tomorrow!! I noticed this article says it will not work on poison ivy, but when you Google natural poison ivy killer, almost the same ingredients come up? I noticed we had some in the same area as the other weeds.
This can wilt leaves of poison ivy, but it is not potent enough to penetrate the web like roots of poison ivy, so any information you see online stating it works isn’t all the way true. You can try it, and you will see wilting. Poison Ivy has incredible web structuring of roots that is almost impossible to kill. We have an in-depth article all about poison ivy you can check out here. Even store-bought, specially formulated poison ivy killer struggles to kill the roots of the ivy. Our article can help with more details on that though 🙂
Would using more of the arthritis liquid work better? I live in Northern California and have tried another vinegar, salt and Dawn dish soap mixture before and it hadn’t worked for the small weeds I have in my yard. Which single ingredient in your formula might I increase to make it work better?
Thanks
Adding more arthritis rub can do a little to increase it, but I have found adding in this amount to these specific ratios is all you need for results. Have you tried our ratios even without the rub? I have also found that many recipes don’t have enough vinegar to salt, so it doesn’t work as good. Also, this solution works best on warm, sunny days. I am not sure what your weather is now, but I have the best success with this homemade formula in the spring and summer months.
I want to try your recipe, but the vinegar I got is 75%. How would I use this? I’d like to make a quart at a time.
Is that 75% acid? You would only need a few tablespoons. No more than 1 cup for this recipe since this uses regular 5 %
You would still need the full amount of liquid that comes from the vinegar in this recipe, so you can replace that with water and use about 3-4 tbsp of the 75%
Apologies if you’ve answered this before – did a search on the page and didn’t find any results. Would this be safe for a gravel driveway? Ours is covered in weeds and grass and the more “natural” weed spray that I like costs ~$24 but only treats a small fraction of what we need to cover. Don’t have the budget to spend that much at this rate. TIA!
Yes it can. The only thing you don’t want to use this on is your lawn
Does anyone know if this works to kill cactus?
It can for small cactus, but not large amounts of it. I have trouble killing it even with commercial weed killer
This didn’t work on Stinging Nettle.
Do you think more of the Arthritis rub could help?
Stinging nettle is tough because of the root system. You can try more arthritis rub in the mix, but I have found that for weeds like this I have to do many applications in the heat of the day when the sun is strong. With it being winter, it is harder to get that strong sun! I would definitely try a few more applications though to see if it can get into the root system
I make mine by the gallon-1 gal vinegar, 1 cup salt, 1 Tbsp dawn dish soap. How much arthritis rub should I use?? I’m killing goat heads and spinner weeds, a whole yard full!!
It would be the equivalent of 15 tsp for a gallon of vinegar. That’s 5 tbsp 🙂
so I would still use a cup of salt per gallon?
Could you use this recipe on a whole yard area in preparation for top soil and sod? Without causing future damage. Last year I had 6-7ft tall weeds in the clay soil, I didn’t touch them before, expecting my landlord to put in grass. I’d rather eradicate them, before I have to chain them up and pull them out like a tree trunk with my car. Lol
You usually don’t want to treat soil with salt before planting grass, but this solution is actually pretty mild. I have used this to prepare flower beds before planting. It has never impacted future growth for me. But, I have not tried it on soil that will have sod planted later, so I can’t say for sure.
What if I used 20% or 30% vinegar?
You can…it isn’t necessary for this recipe though. It works with household vinegar, but if you have a stronger one on hand that works too
Hey Alexis I have a question. I have a ground cover plant that I just hate and would love to get rid of it. It’s over a large area and very difficult to pull it out by the root. I realize that you are not recommending using it over a large area, but If I use this formula on it, would it be safe to plant something else in that soil? If so how long should I wait before replanting? Thanks and BTW I found the arthritis treatment at my local grocery store…
Yes, it is safe to plant other things after using this. I have cleaned out flower beds with this solution, then planted things that grow well. I recommend waiting a week or so and making sure the soil gets watered well and tilled up. You can also add in some additional top soil for added nutrients before planting anything new.
You don’t want to use it on Zoysia grass in those sidewalk cracks.
I have a larger area that I need to treat. Can you give me the measurements per gallon? Thanks so much.
This recipe uses 3 cups of vinegar, so if you want to make one gallon of vinegar that is 16 cups of vinegar. You would roughly multiple everything in the recipe by about 5.3…
16 cups vinegar
3.97 cups salt (just use 4 cups)
10.3 tsp dawn
15.3 tsp arthritis rub
These are all approximations to keep the ratios the same and make it one gallon. With that being said, I probably wouldn’t use 4 cups of salt. Many readers will reduce it for one gallon…
Thank you
I have a 2 gallon contsiner. Should I double what you have suggested above? Also where is the best place to get the arthritis rub? Thank you
yes, you can double the recommendations for one gallon
Hi Alexis,
I adjusted, tested, adjusted, etc. and arrived at a convenient recipe for 1 gallon, and it destroys weeds quickly (it makes a bit more than a gallon, so I use a 1.25 gallon sprayer for $14 from Harbor Freight):
– 1 gallon of vinegar from Walmart ($3.58)
– 1 round box (26 oz) of table salt (Dollar Tree)
– 1/3 cup Arthritis & Sport Penetrating Heat Rub (comes in a 1-cup bottle – pink or green – from Dollar Tree)
Mix the above to ensure that all of the salt dissolves.
– 1/8 cup Dawn (makes it slightly cloudy)
I have huge areas with rocks, and I spend 30 minutes twice per week destroying all of the tiny weeds that dare to appear. It’s more fun than playing Space Invaders, and I no longer have to get on my knees to pull weeds!
My yard is weed-free for the first time in 20 years.
Thanks so much, Alexis. You’re a genius!
That is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe with everyone as well, we get many questions about a one gallon sprayer!
Hi,
If I clear an overgrown garden of grass and weeds using this recipe how long should I wait before planting fern, flowers etc?
Thank you.
Connie
I have cleared out flower beds using this before, and I waited about 2-3 weeks. It depends on your climate, rain, etc. If you aren’t getting any good rain, I would make sure to water a lot and even add in a layer of soil. If you live in a good climate that is getting rainfall, you could probably get away without adding extra soil.
Thank you for sharing this and it worked great. I used a coffee grinder to make the salt as fine as possible, i warmed the solution in a pot and the salt disolved completely without clogging the spray nozzle.
I am glad you liked using it! Thanks for sharing!
I’m going to try this!
Would stronger vinegar work ok?
Cheers, Val
Yes you can use stronger vinegar or just regular 5% works good too
Please add me
Hi. Is your capsican arthritis DIY weed spray OK for yards with a dog? Thanks.
Yes it is
Thanks so much.
Hi. You said you wouldn’t use as much salt in the gallon and 2 gallon recipes. How much would you use, please? Thanks.
3 cups for gallon seems to work for readers. I have not tested it personally, so I am not sure
Thanks.