How to Kill Weeds with Vinegar + How Long It Takes to Work

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Make your own DIY herbicide with expert tips & household items
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If you want a natural alternative for getting rid of weeds in your yard or garden, vinegar is the perfect option. The acids in vinegar kill whatever part of the weed it touches, and adding a couple of other household products makes it even more effective. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to make and use vinegar weed killer and how long it takes to work . Plus, we spoke with Ben Barkan, a professional garden and landscape designer, for additional methods for getting rid of weeds .

Homemade Vinegar Weed Killer: Recipe & Instructions

Mix 1 US gal (3.8 L) distilled white vinegar, 1⁄4 c (59 ml) liquid dish soap, and 2 c (546 g) Epsom salt in a garden sprayer. Wait for a hot, sunny day and spray the weeds so they’re coated in the liquid. Vinegar kills small weeds in 3-4 hours, but may take a few days and additional applications for larger weeds.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Make & Use Vinegar Weed Killer

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  1. 1
    Combine vinegar, Epsom salt, and dish soap in a sprayer. Pour 1 gallon (3.8 L) of distilled white vinegar into a garden sprayer or spray bottle. Add 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of liquid dish soap and 2 cups (546 g) of Epsom salt and stir the mixture to combine it. [1]
    • Apple cider vinegar works in a pinch if you don’t have standard vinegar. [2]
    • Household white vinegar usually contains 5% acetic acid, which works best on young weeds that have just sprouted. If you have older and more established weeds you’re trying to get rid of, use horticultural vinegar with 30-50% acetic acid. [3]
      • Some horticultural vinegar needs to be diluted so it’s less likely to harm microbes or small animals in the soil. Follow the directions on the package, or use a mix of 4 parts vinegar to 1 part water. [4]
    • If you don’t have Epsom salt, regular table salt works just as well. You can also leave the salt out of the recipe, though it may not be as effective.
  2. Wait until the morning of a bright and sunny day so the vinegar weed killer is most effective. [5] Spray the weeds so the leaves are evenly coated with the vinegar solution. [6]
    • Hold off on applying weed killer if it’s supposed to rain within the next 24 hours because it may rinse off and become ineffective.
    • If you use a more concentrated horticultural vinegar, wear long sleeves, pants, gloves , and safety glasses since the liquid can cause irritation.
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  3. 3
    Reapply vinegar after 2 weeks if the weeds survive. Large and perennial weeds may need additional treatments to completely kill the top growth. If the weeds you sprayed still look green and healthy, then spray them again with the vinegar solution on a sunny day. [7]
    • If it rained, wait 1-2 days until the leaves are dry before you reapply the vinegar.
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Section 2 of 5:

How long does it take for vinegar to kill weeds?

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  1. Vinegar generally kills weeds within a few hours or within a few days. Vinegar starts breaking weeds down right away, so the smallest and youngest growths may be gone within 2 hours. Weeds that are a little larger may take a couple of days to completely wither and die out. [8]
Section 3 of 5:

Will vinegar kill grass and other plants?

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  1. Vinegar is a non-selective herbicide, so it can kill any plant it comes into contact with. When you apply vinegar weed killer, use the “stream” setting on your spray bottle or sprayer so the solution is only directed at the plants that you want to get rid of. [9]
    • Vinegar is a great choice for removing weeds from cracks in sidewalks and driveways because there’s less risk of harming other plants.
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Section 4 of 5:

Alternative Ways to Control Weeds

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  1. Wait until after it rains so the soil is soft and the roots are easier to pull out. Put on a pair of gardening gloves, pinch the weed as close to the soil as you can, and slowly pull the weed so the roots come out of the soil. Toss the weeds in a garbage bag so the seeds don’t spread anywhere else. [10]
    • If you have trouble pulling weeds by hand or if you’re weeding a large area, then dig them out with a trowel , garden fork , or hoe .
  2. 2
    Pour boiling water onto unwanted weeds. Use a tea kettle so you can control where you pour the water better. Fill the kettle and bring it to a boil. Then, slowly pour the water onto the weed that you want to get rid of. Pour the entire kettle onto the weed so it wilts and dies. [11]
    • Reapply boiling water after 7 days if the weeds your treated are still alive.
    • Boiling water will also kill grass and other plants it touches, so be careful where you pour it.
    • Use boiling water to treat weeds growing in sidewalk cracks.
  3. 3
    Mow your lawn to stop weed growth in your yard. When you mow your lawn , the mower blades damage the leaves and stems of unwanted weeds as well. Damaged plants have a harder time competing for water and sunlight, so the weeds start to die out. [12]
    • Weeds may still put up new shoots, but mowing them before they have a chance to grow prevents them from spreading more seeds.
  4. 4
    Cover weeded areas with cardboard and compost. “If the weeds are a real problem, put down overlapping layers of newspaper or put down overlapping layers of cardboard first,” says Ben Barkan, a professional garden and landscape designer. He continues, “Then, building up with compost over the cardboard will smother the weeds.”
    • Barkan notes this is especially important for preventing weeds in raised garden beds.
  5. 5
    Mulch over exposed soil to block weeds. Barkan explains that “ Mulching is a great strategy if you go very thick with your mulch. If you’re preventing weeds in landscape, add 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) of mulch over the soil. The mulch blocks light from the weed seeds in the soil and keeps them from sprouting on the surface. [13]
    EXPERT TIP

    Ben Barkan

    Garden & Landscape Designer
    Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
    Ben Barkan
    Garden & Landscape Designer

    If you can see the soil, then you will have weeds growing. The best strategy long term for weeding is to outcompete the weeds. Get your plants that you want to be growing so healthy and so lush that they shade the soil.

  6. 6
    Apply chemical herbicides sparingly. Chemical herbicides are either pre-emergent (used before the weeds sprout), or post-emergent (used for weeds that have already grown). Because the chemicals can drift onto other plants or run into the soil, avoid using them unless you’re unable to get rid of weeds using other techniques. [14]
    • Many herbicides target specific types of weeds, so the one you use depends on what plants you’re trying to get rid of.
    • Herbicides that contain glyphosate, such as Roundup , work for killing any type of weed, but they may also damage grasses and other plants you want to keep. [15]
  7. 7
    Use solar sterilization to kill weed seeds the year before planting. Barkan explains that “solar sterilization [is] killing the weeds using the heat of the sun and blocking sunlight from getting to the soil.” He recommends placing landscaping fabric over the soil the year before you intend on planting to kill all the weeds in the soil below it.
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Section 5 of 5:

Vinegar Weed Killer FAQ

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  1. 1
    How does vinegar work to kill weeds? Vinegar contains acetic acid that burns through the waxy coating on plant leaves, which makes it easier for them to dry out. When the acid comes into contact with the foliage, the leaves start to brown and die off. [16]
    • The added salt in vinegar weed killer is also toxic to plants and prevents them from absorbing other nutrients in the soil. [17]
    • Dish soap helps the weed killer stick to the weeds better so it doesn’t drip or run off.
  2. 2
    What are the easiest weeds to kill with vinegar? Vinegar is more effective against young weeds and annual growths that have more foliage. Broadleaf weeds are larger and have more surface area, so the vinegar stays on the leaves for a longer time. Vinegar is especially effective if the leaves angle up and away from the stem. Some common weeds you can kill with vinegar include: [18]
    • Crabgrass
    • Foxtail
    • Ragweed
    • Dandelion
    • Plantain
    • Chickweed
    • Mugwort
    • Wood sorrel
    • Quackgrass
  3. 3
    Does vinegar kill weeds permanently? Vinegar can completely kill small, young weeds that are annual growths. However, vinegar mostly kills leaves and foliage, but it won’t reach the roots of older and more established plants. Unless you remove or kill the roots, there’s a chance the weeds will come back. [19]
  4. 4
    Does vinegar affect the soil? Acetic acid in vinegar doesn’t stay in the soil, but it may still kill helpful microbes and beneficial insects when you first apply it. Additionally, using a lot of vinegar can change the pH of your soil so it’s more acidic, which may affect how well some plants grow. [20]
    • Frequently test the soil's pH using a pH probe or test strips to make sure it’s within the required range for the plants you want to grow.
    • If your soil is too acidic, you can adjust the pH by mixing in lime , baking soda, or wood ash .
    • The salt in vinegar weed killer stays in the soil and can make it difficult for new plants to grow.
  5. 5
    How do you store vinegar weed killer? Keep the vinegar solution in a sealed container with a lid. Label the container “vinegar weed killer” so you know what it is at a glance. Keep the container wherever you store other lawn or gardening products, like a garage, closet, or shed.
    • Avoid keeping the vinegar weed killer in your sprayer because it could damage metal parts over time. Empty your sprayer and run clean water through it when you’re finished spraying for the season.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What are other natural options for weed removal?
    Ben Barkan
    Professional Gardener
    Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
    Ben Barkan
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
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  • Question
    How long does the vinegar last?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    The vinegar will kill the weeds you spray, but more weeds will likely grow back in a few weeks. You can reapply your vinegar mixture whenever you need to.
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  • Question
    Can I spray shrubs for bugs with vinegar?
    Community Answer
    No. Vinegar will damage the plant, not the bugs. To combat bugs, mix a couple teaspoons of neem oil and dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water and spray that on the infested plant. It may take a few applications to completely rid the plant of the infestation, especially if the solution gets washed off by rain or sprinklers. It's non-toxic to humans, but doesn't taste good, so you can spray it on ripening vegetables, but make sure you wash them before eating them.
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      Tips

      • Be on the lookout for new weed growth where you’ve applied vinegar. If you see leaves pop up where you’ve sprayed, it may mean the roots are still alive in the soil.
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      Warnings

      • Always check the safety labels for any products you’re using and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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      • Avoid contact with horticultural vinegar by wearing long sleeves, gloves, pants, and safety glasses. If you spill, rinse it off immediately with clean water.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/DE95XNT8KcE?t=37
      2. ↑ https://pueblo.extension.colostate.edu/natural-ways-to-eliminate-weeds/
      3. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/extension/monthly-weed-posts/2021-june-does-vinegar-kill-weeds.html
      4. ↑ https://www.realhomes.com/advice/how-to-kill-weeds-with-vinegar
      5. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/extension/monthly-weed-posts/2021-june-does-vinegar-kill-weeds.html
      6. ↑ https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2002/spray-weeds-with-vinegar
      7. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/vinegar-alternative-glyphosate/
      8. ↑ https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2002/spray-weeds-with-vinegar
      9. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/extension/monthly-weed-posts/2021-june-does-vinegar-kill-weeds.html
      1. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/manage-weeds-without-chemicals-maryland/
      2. ↑ https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/can-i-manage-weeds-boiling-water
      3. ↑ https://blog.umd.edu/agronomynews/2022/03/23/mowing-a-casually-thought-of-integrated-weed-management-tool/
      4. ↑ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/mulches-for-home-grounds-7-214/
      5. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/manage-weeds-without-chemicals-maryland/
      6. ↑ https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1144&title=weed-control-options-for-the-home-vegetable-gardener
      7. ↑ https://fairfield.osu.edu/news/vinegar-it-“safer”-herbicide
      8. ↑ https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/id/id-412-w.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/extension/monthly-weed-posts/2021-june-does-vinegar-kill-weeds.html
      10. ↑ https://fairfield.osu.edu/news/vinegar-it-“safer”-herbicide
      11. ↑ https://www.montana.edu/extension/invasiveplants/extension/monthly-weed-posts/2021-june-does-vinegar-kill-weeds.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To kill weeds with vinegar, first mix 1 gallon (4 liters) of white vinegar with 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of dish soap. The dish soap will help the vinegar stick to the weeds. Pour the mixture into a garden sprayer. Then, on a hot, sunny day, spray it directly on the leaves and bases of the weeds you want to kill. The sun will help the vinegar dry out and kill them. Wait 24 hours for the weeds to fully dry out, spraying a second time if necessary. If white vinegar doesn’t cut it, you can use 20% concentrated horticultural vinegar instead to make a more powerful mixture. Adding 2 cups (550 g) of table salt to your mixture will also make it stronger. For tips from our Horticulturist reviewer on how to use concentrated vinegar to kill stubborn weeds, scroll down.

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