Vinegar to Kill Weeds

Yes, vinegar will kill weeds. See the pictures below that show weeds before being sprayed, and the same weeds 24 hours later, after being sprayed lightly with 100 percent distilled white vinegar.

There are a variety of weed-killing recipes on the web. The items used in these recipes include dish detergent, baking soda, vinegar, and salt. The dish soap is said to help strip the weeds of their natural oils, allowing the vinegar to work more effectively. Vinegar solutions have also been shown to work best on hot days. Based on numerous comments, people who have tried a simple 100 percent vinegar spray, haved found it to be successful.

Many have commented that it was found to be more effective than Roundup, a popular herbicide. According to Organic Consumers, "...studies done by Dr. Leonard Hardell and Dr. Mikael Eriksson of Sweden, has revealed clear links between one of the world’s biggest selling herbicide, glyphosate (commonly known as Roundup, marketed by Monsanto), to non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a form of cancer - NHL."

A word of caution: Vinegar will also kill other plants besides weeds. While it is fantastic for sidewalks, driveways, and rock beds, you will want to stay clear of all other plants.

• Vinegar is biodegradable. It is not harmful to the environment, our water system, or animals.
• Vinegar is very inexpensive. You can buy a large container of it for less than two dollars.
• Vinegar is a natural substance that is safe for consumption.
• Vinegar will keep for a very long time without spoiling.

I keep the following items handy so that I can create vinegar solutions as needed.

• Commercial-strength spray bottles.
• Funnel to pour vinegar into bottles.
• Large containers of white distilled vinegar.
• Sharpie markers to label containers.

Personally I like the smell of vinegar. It reminds me of German potato salad and I love all things with potatoes. Even though the smell of vinegar is strong, it quickly dissipates as it dries. However, if the smell of vinegar is not to your liking, I've found that adding about 1/4 cup of lemon juice to a regular-sized spray bottle of 100 percent vinegar, greatly helps to reduce the strong smell of vinegar.

According to 501 Hints & Tips With Vinegar, published by igloobooks, vinegar is effective at keeping a whole host of bugs away.

• Keep fruit flies away by washing fruit with a diluted solution of water and 1/3 vinegar.
• Spray houseflies with undiluted vinegar.
• Attract wasps to a jar mixed with detergent, honey and vinegar by placing wholes in the lid.
• Repel mosquitos by spraying items with vinegar, such as a tent or lawn furniture.
• Deter ants and spiders by wiping surfaces with vinegar and spraying corners with vinegar.