Gardeners are saying weeds 'will never come back' using this hack

Gravel weeds
Gravel weeds -Credit:(Image: Getty)


Garden enthusiasts are often plagued by pesky weeds cropping up in unwanted places like between paving stones, within driveway gaps, and over patios. While it might be tempting to grab a chemical weed killer for a quick fix, these substances can harm the environment and pose dangers to animals and wildlife.

Garden lovers are instead urged to use more eco-friendly approaches that protect the natural balance of their outdoor spaces, such as employing boiling water. Devotees of cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch, known off Instagram as Sophie Hinchliffe, have taken to social media to share their best non-toxic weed control tips.

Mrs Hinch, who has garnered a following of more than 4.8 million on Instagram, has inspired her fans to form Facebook groups dedicated to swapping tips on gardening and home care. In one group, a user named Julie Lucas posted: "Any ideas for killing weeds on patio slabs please?"

This question sparked a flurry of nearly 50 replies from the cleaning guru's community, with the top tip being the use of boiling water. One member, Gill Cardwell Jones, suggested: "Boil your kettle and while it's still bubbling, pour over the weeds and they'll never come back. My gardener told me that and it works great. Obviously, don't do it to weeds on your grass though."

Adding to this advice, Victoria Jewell commented: "I just boil the kettle and pour it on. Kills them straight away! " In the same vein, Jean Clough and Kim Hudspeth also endorsed "boiling water" as an effective solution for weed issues, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

Natalie Dawson, a Facebook user, proposed a straightforward but highly effective way of dealing with garden weeds. She advised: "boiling water and salt".

This method is well-known for its weed-killing efficacy, as the hot water destroys the weed's root tissue leading to its death within days. This technique proves helpful in clearing pathways and drives.

However, caution is urged when considering using this on lawns or flowerbeds, as it could pose harm to prized grass and plant species. Followers of cleaning celebrity Mrs Hinch have shared additional tips for weed eradication involving salt, white vinegar, and a weed burner.

Irene Ducros suggested: "Salt - just salt. It does the job. I've been using it for years now and nothing else seems to work."

Jan Mchugh provided her homemade solution: "Mixture of salt, washing up liquid and white vinegar."

Ally East told of her trial and error: "I tried the vinegar and washing up water method and it works, but have now decided that I like the effect of moss in amongst my slabs. Gives it a cottage-y feel, like the paving you see in gardens of listed buildings. I just pull up the weeds."

Liz Hogan gave a more specific recipe: "One litre of white vinegar. Do it when the sun is on it."

Jacqui Spelman praised another vinegar-related remedy: "I was told pure vinegar they get in the chippies and water it down. I used it and it's brilliant. Does the job and quickly. Just don't get it on the grass as it burns it."

Finally, Paula Forester shared a different method: "I use a weed burner. It kills right down to the root."