Homemade weed killers have gained massive popularity in recent times due to increased awareness of the ill effects of industrial chemicals. There are endless synthetic chemicals available but recently, there has been an increased shift towards using homemade alternatives for safety concerns. Homemade weed killers are more environment-friendly and less detrimental to crop plants, pets, and humans. This article will show you how to make a powerful weed killer at home from simple pantry ingredients.

What are homemade weed killers?

Homemade weed killers are made from home ingredients like vinegar, bleach, salts, and so on that have identical weed-killing action like artificial weed killers but without their harmful effects. Using a homemade weed killer focuses on maintaining soil health and its children and pet friendly. Because industrial-grade herbicides have irreversible toxic effects on pets, humans, as well as soil, homemade preparations are comparatively safer alternatives with similar efficacy.

How to make your own homemade weed killer?

There are a lot of ways of preparing a homemade weed killer using simple pantry ingredients. Here are some of the most powerful homemade herbicides that show potent weed-killing effects:

1.   Vinegar-based weed killer

Vinegar-based homemade weed killer is easy to prepare using easily accessible kitchen ingredients. When applied to the leaves during the initial stages of weed growth, vinegar works wonders as a herbicide. Acetic acid preparations don’t work on roots. A 1:1 mixture of white or red vinegar and soap has high efficacy in killing weeds. Frequently, the addition of salt also helps but it leaves the soil area unfit for further crop plantation.

2.   Salt Weed Killer

Table salt is another effective homemade ingredient with potent herbicidal effects on all kinds of weeds irrespective of their maturity phase. Preparing a concentrated table salt solution in boiling hot water is the best for instantly killing leaves and roots. Salt acts as a desiccant and boiling water instantly coagulates leaves and plant parts. However, salt commonly accumulates in the soil making it unfit for plant growth if not treated with a counteracting agent.

3.   Borax Weed killer

Borax is an extremely alkaline chemical commonly found in households that acts as a potent weed killer if applied at regular intervals. Borax is prepared using small amounts of water that is alkaline enough to kill any weed at almost any growth stage. However, borax is extremely toxic to pets and humans (if ingested) and should be applied carefully.

4.   Cornmeal Weed Killer

Cornmeal is an effective homemade pre-emergent herbicide for its potent action in preventing seed germination. The gluten in cornmeal is the primary chemical that blocks seed germination. however, it cannot function once germination season is over. Cornmeal is available in powder forms that can be spread in sufficient amounts to prevent seed germination. This can be followed by light watering to activate the gluten content.

5.   Baking Soda

Baking Soda can be used as a herbicide by mixing vinegar in a 1:1 ratio that instantly kills weeds in high concentrations. Baking soda is extremely alkaline that kills the leaves. However, it is eco-friendly and not too corrosive to the skin. However, it may raise the soil pH on frequent applications which needs further correction. Summary Preparing a handmade weed killer is a comparatively safer alternative with less harm towards pets, children, the environment, and soil. The most common kitchen ingredients used in organic herbicides are vinegar, table salt, boiling water, borax, and cornmeal that are easy to prepare and apply using already available ingredients in the kitchen.