The Recipe and How to Make It
Creating this mixture is fast and requires no special equipment.
- Mix the base: In a container, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water (for example, two cups of water and two cups of vinegar).
- Add the salt: Put one tablespoon of standard table salt into the liquid.
- Add the oil: Pour in one tablespoon of any standard cooking oil (like sunflower or canola oil).
- Add the spice: Stir in half a tablespoon of hot red pepper powder.
- Dissolve: Stir or shake the mixture very thoroughly until the salt is completely dissolved into the liquid.
- Strain: Pour the liquid through a piece of gauze or a fine mesh strainer before putting it into a spray bottle. This is a crucial step; if you skip straining, the pepper flakes will quickly clog your spray bottle nozzle.
The Golden Rule of Application: Use the Sun
Having the right mixture is only half the battle. When you spray it is just as important as what you spray.
For this method to work, you must spray the weeds in the middle of the day when the sun is at its absolute strongest. The heat and ultraviolet rays of the direct sun act as an activator for the vinegar and salt. If you spray on a hot, cloudless afternoon, you will often see the weeds start to shrivel, turn brown, and collapse within just two to three hours. If you spray in the evening or on a cloudy day, the mixture will be far less effective.
Where to Use It (And the Important Warning)
While this mixture is made of natural ingredients, it is entirely non-selective. This means it will kill any plant it touches, whether it is a weed or your favorite flower. You must apply it carefully and directly only onto the plants you want to remove.
The most important thing to remember about this recipe is the salt. Salt does not evaporate or break down in the rain. If you spray salt into the dirt, it stays in the dirt. If too much salt builds up in your soil, it will become barren, and nothing will ever be able to grow there again.
Best places to use this spray:
- Between the cracks of concrete driveways and sidewalks.
- Along gravel pathways.
- Between paving stones on a patio.
- Around the edges of fences where you never want anything to grow.
Places to absolutely avoid:
- Vegetable garden beds.
- Directly inside your green lawn.
- Flower beds where you plan to plant new seeds next year.
Realistic Expectations
This homemade spray is incredibly effective at burning away the top half of the weed. For young, small weeds, this is usually enough to kill them entirely. However, for older, established weeds with deep root systems, the mixture might only kill the leaves. The roots may survive underground and attempt to grow back later. If this happens, simply hit the new leaves with another dose of the spray on the next sunny day to starve the root system.
With a simple spray bottle and a few kitchen staples, you can keep your walkways and patios completely clear of weeds, saving money and keeping harmful chemicals away from your home.
