The £3 kitchen staple that removes gravel and patio weeds 'instantly' and works 'better' than white vinegar

You can banish weeds with a kitchen staple that's 'better' than white vinegar, as gardeners reveal a trick that kills weeds 'almost instantly'. For those battling with pesky weeds in their gravel paths or driveways, the solution might be closer than you think in your own kitchen.

Weeds sprouting between the stones or patio can be a nuisance, and if left unchecked, they can quickly take over an entire area. Gardening enthusiasts have now discovered a method that not only works 'better' than using white vinegar but also eradicates weeds in an instant.

Even better, this gardening hack requires just one common household item that you're likely to have on hand. The trick was shared by members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook, after one person asked for better alternatives to weed killing than white vinegar and salt.

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The individual posted: "I've seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing. I have a gravel-covered drive and can't seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths. Would they work on the drive or is there something better? There are no other plants in the vicinity and it's not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future.", reports the Mirror.

Members of the group were quick to share their tips with the individual seeking advice, and while numerous members suggested that white vinegar and salt could "work well", they highlighted an even better solution - washing powder.

One member commented: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." Another chimed in with: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water."

A third person extolled the virtues of washing powder's rapid action, saying: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly."

For those who already use washing powder for their laundry, this solution is readily available at home. However, if you typically use pods or liquid detergent, you'll need to purchase some powdered form.

This can be easily added to your shopping cart during your regular supermarket visit, with prices starting as low as £3. For doorstep delivery, a substantial 6.5kg box of Surf can be ordered from Amazon for £14. The most economical option found on Amazon was a 400g box of ACDO Miracle Washing Powder, priced at £2.50.

Gardening expert Tom Clifford from Gardenstone has previously shared with Ideal Home a handy tip for those looking to avoid harsh chemicals: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone. Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn't harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds. In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers."

Washing powder, which contains the plant-toxic substance boron, can be an effective weed killer. However, caution is advised as it can also damage or kill other plants in the vicinity.

For safe application, sprinkle washing powder on the desired areas such as gravel or between patio stones, followed by pouring boiling water over it to activate its weed-killing properties.