Gardeners say common household item kills weeds and works 'almost instantly'

A rather peculiar method for weeding has been revealed and it involves using something that may be sitting on your kitchen counter. Those with gravel paths or driveways are all too familiar with the nuisance of persistent weeds.

Removing them can prove troublesome, leaving them unchecked can mean a weed takeover.

However, green-fingered enthusiasts have discovered a solution that reportedly works "better" than white vinegar and kills weeds "almost instantly". This trick solely requires one item that you likely already have in your kitchen.

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Members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook divulged their method after an inquiry was made for superior alternatives to white vinegar and salt for dealing with weeds. One member lamented: "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 wisdom with the individual seeking advice, and while numerous suggestions included white vinegar and salt as effective solutions, they highlighted something even more efficient - 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 their own experience: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water."

A third person extolled the virtues of washing powder's rapid action, remarking: "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're accustomed to using pods or liquid detergent, you'll need to grab some powdered form.

This can be easily added to your shopping cart during your regular supermarket visit, with prices starting at just £3. But for doorstep delivery convenience, a hefty 6.5kg box of Surf can be ordered from Amazon for £14.

On the other hand, the most budget-friendly option we 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 nifty trick 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 when used carefully. It's important to note that because of its toxicity to plants, washing powder should only be applied in areas devoid of desired vegetation to prevent accidental damage or death to your plants.

To apply, simply sprinkle the washing powder onto the affected area, such as gravel or between patio stones, and follow up by pouring boiling water over it.