Gardeners say common laundry product is 'better' than vinegar for weeds

Daily Mirror

19-05-2025

Weeds can be a real pain when they crop up in your garden - but there's an easy method to get rid of them using a common household product that you probably already have at home
Gardeners are buzzing over a simple kitchen staple that's been hailed as a miracle weed killer for gravel paths and driveways.
Weeds can be the bane of any gardener's life, especially when they sprout between the stones of a gravel path or driveway. It's a real chore to remove them, and if left unchecked, they can quickly overrun the area.
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But green-fingered enthusiasts have discovered a "better" solution than white vinegar that zaps weeds "almost instantly", and it's likely you've got this wonder product at home already.
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The savvy tip was revealed by members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook, in response to a query about effective weed control alternatives to white vinegar and salt. The individual posted: "I've seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing."
They continued: "I have a gravel-covered drive and can't seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths. Would they work on the drive or is there something better? There are no other plants in the vicinity and it's not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future."
Many group members chimed in with their advice, suggesting that while white vinegar and salt could do the trick, there was indeed a superior option – good old washing powder.
Garden gurus and savvy shoppers alike have been sharing their top tips online, raving about the unexpected uses of everyday washing powder, particularly when it comes to tackling pesky weeds in your garden's gravel.
One green-fingered enthusiast shared: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me."
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Meanwhile, another gardener revealed: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water."
A third was quick to highlight the efficacy of the method, claiming: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly."
If you're already using washing powder for your clothes, you're in luck as this staple is readily at your disposal. However, for those accustomed to pods or liquid detergents, a trip to acquire some powdered form may be necessary. Supermarket shelves will carry the product, typically costing a minimum of £3.
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But if convenience is key, look no further than Amazon, where you might find a hefty 6.5kg box of Surf totalling £15 or perhaps the most economical option—a 400g box of ACDO Miracle Washing Powder for a mere £1.50 from Poundland.
Affirming the trick, garden specialist Tom Clifford from Gardenstone previously advised Ideal Home: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone. Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn't harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds. In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers."
Washing powder, which contains boron, is toxic to plants and thus can be used as an effective weed killer. However, caution should be exercised when using it around other plants you wish to keep, as it could inadvertently harm or kill them.
To utilise washing powder as a weed killer, simply scatter the powder onto the gravel or patio gaps, followed by pouring boiling water over it.