3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Safe for Pets and Children
Weed-fighting was once a tedious, laborious task requiring hours of hand-weeding and expensive products. But no more! We’ve got all the best home remedies for getting rid of those annoying weeds, and this one is the best. Our three-ingredient homemade weed killer is safe for pets and children, and it’s a great way to tackle those pesky weeds without breaking the bank.
In this post, we’ll share the recipe for this magic weed killer and what you’ll need to make it. We’ll also give you tips and tricks to ensure you do it right and get the best results. So, if you’ve been searching for an easy and safe way to eliminate weeds, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more!
What You Need
Ingredients
- White Vinegar: White vinegar is a common household item and serves as the base for this weed-killer formula. It contains 5% acetic acid, enough to eradicate weeds and help to prevent their further growth.
- Dish Soap: Adding dish soap to the mixture helps spread the vinegar solution and increases its potency.
- Salt: The salt helps to draw out moisture from weeds and can act as an additional herbicide if needed. It is important to note that too much salt may damage healthy plants, so use it sparingly.
Utensils & Safety Supplies
- Container: You will need a large container to mix all three ingredients and have some room to stir them with a spoon or stick. We recommend using glass containers for this purpose, as plastic ones are not always 100% safe for storing weed killers.
- Protective Gear: Wearing gloves and eye protection when dealing with any type of chemical sprayer is essential for your safety and other family members or pets in the area.
- Measuring Tools: Accurate measuring tools such as spoons and cups is necessary to ensure that you use the right amount of each ingredient needed for the weed-killer mixture.
Preparing the Weed Killer
Step-by-step Instructions
- Start by pouring two cups of white vinegar into the glass container and then add one tablespoon of dish soap into the mixture.
- Stir these two ingredients together until they are well mixed. Then, add ½ cup of salt into the solution while stirring continuously until the salt is fully dissolved in the liquid mixture.
- Finally, fill up your container with water until it’s full, stirring along the way until all ingredients have been completely dissolved and mixed with no leftover chunks on your spoon or stick when you are done mixing everything.
- Your homemade weed killer is now ready for use!
Application
Before using this natural weed killer solution, it is essential to ensure that no nearby animal habitats could be affected by its application. Once you’ve confirmed this, clear any debris from the area where weeds are present and begin diluting the solution with water, depending on the spraying device you plan to use. It’s important to dilute the mixture correctly, especially using an atomizer-type device like a chemical sprayer to avoid burning unwanted plants with an overly concentrated solution.
After diluting the solution, apply it directly onto the weeds using a garden sprayer, watering can, or bucket, or pour it directly from the container. Take care not to cover nearby healthy plants unintentionally during the application process, especially when using an atomizer-type device or chemical sprayer. You can spread the mixture across a garden patch containing weeds with a cloth or pour it into the soil at the base of the plants. This natural weed-killer solution is safer than commercial products containing potentially hazardous chemicals, especially around children and pets.
Storage
After successfully applying the weed-killing solution to the weeds and allowing time for it to react (which varies depending on the severity of the infestation), it is crucial to store any leftover solution away from children and pets. This is because the natural residue left behind after the reaction can be highly concentrated and pose health risks if it comes into direct contact with living creatures. Therefore, it is important to dilute the solution before using it outdoors. Instead of discarding the leftover solution, it is recommended to dispose of it properly through approved methods. Instructions for disposing of the solution are available online and offline, depending on the options available in your location.
Conclusion
Using a safe, three-ingredient home weed killer is a great way to tackle those pesky weeds without worrying about the safety of children and pets. The ingredients are commonly found in most homes and can be prepared easily. This post gave you everything you need to know to make and apply your weed killer. All that remains is to find the right spot, do the necessary preparation, and put this weed killer to the test. With a little effort and preparation, you’ll have those weeds under control in no time. So, grab the ingredients, and let’s get started!