'Tried and tested' 35p weed killer gardeners say will clear patios in 'two days'

Weed going through patio crack
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Any gardener will know how pesky and unsightly weeds are, and keeping them at bay can be an ongoing struggle. They grow any and everywhere, particularly where they're especially unwanted.

They thrive in most types of soil, can spring up quickly, and are unsightly. Not only this but they also compete for any available food and water and provide shelter for several garden pests and diseases, and their healthy ability to grow can result in a huge eyesore to gardeners.

Thankfully, fans of cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch have been discussing the topic on social media, with one user sharing her "tried and tested" method. The woman wrote on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page: "I’ve tried and tested this method. Use a gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt and two tablespoons of washing-up liquid.

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"Mix it together and put on the weeds with a watering can. Within two days the weeds will die and after a week sweep them up. It works so well, it’s not harmful to pets because it has no chemicals, I have a cat.

"Nothing will clear weeds as new seeds are blown into cracks with the wind but just repeat above. It’s the best natural weed killer I’ve tried."

The solution costs less than a pound as a bottle of vinegar is priced at 35p at Tesco or Sainsbury's. The method is also backed up by Gene Lorraine, a gardening expert from Fantastic Services, who says white vinegar's acetic acid makes it an effective natural weed killer.

There is one drawback, though. Gardeners are advised to keep any weed killers to those on gravel and patios as the solution can be harmful to lawns and plants. Gene said: "But it’s perfect to keep your driveway or patio clean from weeds because we usually don’t grow any useful plants there. To treat the patio weeds with vinegar, you must dilute it with water."

She says the following method will dry the weeds out in just an hour. Gene added: "The best possible proportion here is one part vinegar and two parts water. Then just pour it over the cracks, aiming for the middle sections of the weeds.”

Other members of the Mrs Hinch group chimed in on the post to suggest another simple method, boiling water. One user wrote: "Just use boiling water straight from the kettle, they will be shocked and shrivel up.”

Another said: "I had a nightmare with weeds and had pets so couldn’t use anything shop-bought. However, what did work really well was free and boiling water. Pull out the weed and pour boiling water into the cracks, it kills the seeds."