I'm a gardening pro & my 50p homemade weed killer will banish invasive plants overnight – just apply it in the sun

The Sun

27-04-2025

IF you're sprucing up your garden ahead of the summer, this simple hack may be worth a try.
An expert has revealed the item that banishes weeds overnight, and you probably already have it in your kitchen.
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Weeds are a common issue in most gardens, and can negatively affect the overall health of your plants if not removed.
They are also unsightly and can bring down the appearance of your garden.
An expert from Moral Fibres spoke to the Daily Express about the best way to tackle unwanted plants.
The professional suggested adding a kitchen essential to your weeds to kill them overnight.
Adding three teaspoons of washing liquid to a vinegar and salt solution is said to banish weeds in a matter of hours.
According to the expert, the homemade weed killer 'works indiscriminately on all plant life and can turn your soil acidic'.
"My main tip is that this homemade weed killer recipe works best on a dry sunny day," they continued.
"I'd suggest applying it at midday, or just before, when the sun is at its peak. It really helps to dry out the weeds."
You can pick up a bottle of washing up liquid for just 49p from Savers.
However, the expert recommended considering washing off the solution before you go to bed.
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"This is in case any local wildlife walks over your slabs or paving – such as hedgehogs, foxes, or badgers," the pro explained.
"Salt and vinegar could be caustic to their paws or cause sickness if ingested.
"Again, rinsing off the solution prevents this from being an issue."
The expert also broke down the best steps to take when dealing with larger weeds.
"For larger, more well-established weeds spray the leaves and also pour a good glug of the solution onto the plant," they said.
More weed hacks
MORE cheap hacks to banish weeds from your garden for good.
BRUSH OFF: Gardening fans have raved about the Rolson Weed Brush, which you can buy from B&M.
One social media user commented: "This is my new friend. £4 from B&M", whilst a second agreed: "I used one of these too and it's brilliant. It removes the whole weed too."
BAKE IT: Gardening enthusiasts have also praised baking soda for tackling weeds.
One man explained: ''What will then happen is the plants will absorb it, as they get damp when it starts to rain because they're thirsty - because it's been sunny. That's nature's way of killing it.''
WASH THIS: According to Sam Marlow, a gardening expert, washing powder is an affordable way to say goodbye to weeds.
He advised: "If you're on a budget, there's a cheap way to keep weeds at bay. If you want to remove persistent unwanted plants from paths or patios, try using washing powder. It's a super easy way to banish weeds once and for all.'
"It's very effective – you should notice the weeds beginning to wilt within an hour."
To make this DIY solution, use one litre of white vinegar with three large tablespoons of salt.
Add three teaspoons of washing-up liquid to this mixture and pour into a spray bottle.
Ensure the salt is well dissolved before adding the washing-up liquid and make sure to give it a nice stir.