Homemade Weed Killer with Vinegar (& 5 More Ways to Kill Weeds Naturally)

See how I make homemade weed killer with vinegar, the results in my garden, and where to use it, plus other weed control methods.

With all the gardens, patios, and pathways around our home, there’s always somewhere that needs weeding. In my garden beds, I mostly hand-pull, hoe, and mulch. For weeds growing between patio pavers and in driveway cracks, I’ve also used a homemade vinegar mixture.

After nearly 30 years of gardening and my training as a Master Gardener, I’ve learned that different spots call for different approaches. Here, I’m sharing the vinegar recipe I’ve used, photos of my results, and other methods for managing weeds, along with their limitations and where they make sense to use.

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Where to Avoid Using This Mixture

I reserve this mixture for individual weeds in patio and driveway cracks, away from desirable plants. Here are the areas I avoid:

• Lawns: The spray can damage grass along with the weeds.
• Flower beds, shrubs, and trees: Overspray can injure foliage, and salt buildup in the soil can harm nearby plants.
• Vegetable and herb gardens: I hand-pull weeds in these areas instead.
• Large, overgrown areas: I use other weed-management methods rather than applying this mixture broadly.

Even when treating weeds between pavers, consider where the mixture could run off into surrounding soil or planted areas.ways, and along hardscape edges where I don’t want anything growing. In both my former garden and my current New Jersey garden, I’ve learned that it’s simply too risky to use around flower beds or vegetable gardens because even a small amount of overspray can damage plants you’re trying to grow. For garden beds, I rely on hand-pulling, mulch, and regular maintenance instead.

4 More Ways to Kill Weeds Naturally in Your Garden

If you want to try killing or suppressing weeds without having to pull or hoe them out, give one of these natural methods a try. While these are all pet-safe weed killers, each method is non-selective meaning it will kill anything around it so be mindful with the application of each. As a precaution, I always keep my dogs away from areas that I’ve treated for as along as possible.

These methods are easy to do and you likely have the products on hand in your home.

• Boiling Water
• Propane Torch
• Rubbing Alcohol Solution
• Corn Gluten

Boiling Water Method to Kill Weeds

If you have a few weeds to remove, boiling water is an easy way to kill them. I tend to use this method on small pathways and patio areas because there isn’t vegetation I want to protect around it.

It’s not as easy to use when you have more weeds to get at or larger areas to weed because you have to keep going in and out to boil water. But it is a very effective method that works quickly.

Simply boil water and pour it on the weeds on a warm, dry sunny day. That’s it!

Propane Torch Method to Killing Weeds

I’ve tried this method before and it takes a little more doing so it’s my least favorite. And to be honest, I prefer not to do it. If you want to try it though, you’ll need a propane weeding torch like this that is specifically made for killing weeds. The idea behind it, is you burn the weed down to the root.

I tried this in my driveway years ago where lots of weeds were sprouting, and found the process to be a bit laborious. It took a while to burn each weed, I had a lot of weeds to deal with, and you go through the propane pretty quickly. Plus, it took some doing to get the torch going.

Now it could have been the amount and/or type of weeds I had, but to me, it was more work standing there holding the torch and waiting for each weed to burn and die before moving on to the next one.

This method just wasn’t for me.

The Rubbing Alcohol Method

If you’d rather go with another homemade weed-killer solution, a rubbing alcohol mix is pretty straightforward to make. To prepare it, simply mix one quart of water to dilute two tablespoons of rubbing alcohol.

Note: Before applying this method to weeds, wear gloves and protective eyewear.

Simply apply the rubbing alcohol mixture on a dry sunny day without wind. Saturate the foliage, stem, and plant base to get at the roots. I don’t typically use this method because I prefer to use the homemade vinegar weed killer but it does work.

How to Use Corn Gluten to Suppress Weeds

Unlike the aforementioned approaches to weed control, corn gluten does not kill weeds but rather helps suppress them when applied at the right time. It is most commonly used to keep crabgrass at bay in the lawn, but can also be applied in garden beds between plants to help keep weed seeds from germinating. For this method to be effective though, it must be applied with crabgrass seed germination.

How do you know when that is?

In spring when the forsythia starts blooming in your area until the last bloom drops, is the right time to apply it. Simply spread it over the soil and water it in well after.

Although it’s important to water it in after applying it, you’ll want to apply corn gluten on a dry day with a few dry days in the forecast so it has a chance to work without getting washed out by inclement weather.

How I Manage Weeds in My Garden Beds

In my garden beds, I rely on hand-pulling, hoeing, mulch, and planting thoughtfully. As plants fill out, their foliage helps shade the soil and leaves less room for weeds. I also use mulch to help suppress new growth.

During my regular garden walks, I pull young weeds before they become a bigger job. A few minutes here and there makes maintaining all these beds much more manageable.

I use this hand weeding tool to loosen soil around weeds and work their roots free. It’s especially helpful in tight spots and around rocks. My garden kneeler makes working close to the ground more comfortable, and I use this stand-up weeding tool when I’d rather work without bending down.

That regular maintenance is the foundation of how I manage weeds. The vinegar mixture is something I’ve used for specific hardscape spots, while my garden beds get a different approach.

How to Kill Weeds Without Killing Grass and Plants

As you’ve likely noticed, many weed control methods, including homemade vinegar solutions, can be harmful to desirable plants. So, how can you eliminate weeds without damaging your garden?  

While herbicides offer one solution, a more natural approach involves consistent hand-pulling. This becomes more manageable after an initial application of vinegar weed killer, which targets the majority of weeds. Regular weeding then helps to address any new growth.  

Alternatively, you can use a cardboard barrier to protect specific plants while applying weed killer. This is why I primarily reserve these methods for hardscaped areas, minimizing any risk to my lawn and garden.

My Long-Term Weed Management Plan

With so many gardens to maintain, I think about weed prevention when I plan and plant a bed. I consider how much space each plant will need at maturity and how its foliage will eventually shade the soil. The goal is to let desirable plants fill the space without crowding them.

Mulch is another important part of that plan. It helps suppress weeds while conserving soil moisture, although I still need to maintain the beds throughout the season. I share more about what I use and how I apply it in my guide to mulching gardens.

Regular garden walks help me notice where weeds keep returning and which areas need more attention. Pulling a few young weeds is part of the routine, but so is recognizing an open spot that could use mulch or a planting adjustment.

The vinegar mixture is a separate treatment I’ve used for certain hardscape spots. In my garden beds, the long-term plan is to reduce opportunities for weeds and keep maintenance manageable as the plants mature.

For more about how I fit that work into my routine, visit How I Manage So Many Garden Beds (Without Overdoing It).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see results?

In my photographed example, the weed began browning shortly after application and showed more visible damage after 12 hours. Results can vary with the weed, its size, and conditions. Browning leaves alone does not confirm that the whole plant is dead.

Does this weed killer kill the roots?

Vinegar primarily damages the foliage it contacts. Established weeds can regrow from surviving roots, so this mixture should not be presented as a reliable way to eliminate perennial weeds permanently.

Is this mixture safe for pets?

I would not describe this mixture as pet-safe. It contains undiluted 30% vinegar, which can cause burns and eye injury, and pets should not ingest the mixture. Keep pets and children away during mixing and application and follow the product label’s precautions. Allowing the area to dry does not make the mixture harmless.

Can I use Epsom salt instead of table salt?

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, while table salt is sodium chloride. They are different substances and should not be treated as interchangeable. The mixture described here uses table salt. Adding more of either salt can create problems for plants and soil.

Will this work on poison ivy or crabgrass?

I’ve tried it on poison ivy and observed yellowing foliage, but it did not eliminate the underground growth. Established crabgrass and other weeds may also survive damage to their leaves. Visible browning is not a guarantee of lasting control.

How long after spraying can I plant something in that spot?

There isn’t a reliable waiting period I can give for this homemade mixture. Salt can accumulate in soil and interfere with plant growth, depending on how much was applied and the site conditions. Avoid using it where you intend to plant. For those areas, remove weeds manually instead.

The Bigger Lesson I Learned About Weeds (The Hard Way)

Natural weed control absolutely has its place, but the real key is staying ahead of the problem before it takes over. I learned that lesson the hard way when I let weeds get out of control in my own garden, and it took years to fully recover. In The Bricks ’n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, I share that experience and walk through the systems I now use to keep maintenance manageable and prevent small issues from becoming overwhelming ones. Because a beautiful garden comes from consistency and smart planning from the beginning.

Final Thoughts About Homemade Weed Killers

The vinegar mixture has helped me tackle weeds in specific patio and driveway cracks, but it’s just one approach I’ve tried. Knowing where a treatment belongs and what results to expect matters more than finding one recipe for every weed.

What methods have worked best around your home and garden? Share your experience in the comments below.

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Originally Published Jun 30, 2025. Last Updated Oct 6, 2026.