Kill Weeds Fast With This Vinegar Epsom Salt Weed Killer Recipe
If you're anything like me, you've probably spent a small fortune on weed killers that promise to “zap weeds fast” but either fizzle out or end up scorching everything else nearby—including that poor tomato plant you were so proud of. Been there, done that.
So this spring, I dug into the back of my pantry and decided to experiment with a more old-school approach: a vinegar Epsom salt weed killer. And y’all—it actually works!
This super simple DIY method is budget-friendly, non-toxic, and gives you the oddly satisfying thrill of seeing those pesky weeds shrivel up without dousing your garden in chemicals.
Plus, it's one of those weirdly fun weekend projects that makes you feel like a backyard scientist. Win-win.
Tools and Materials:
- Epsom salt (plain, unscented)
- White vinegar
- Dish soap
- A spray bottle
- A funnel (optional, but saves your sanity)
- Gloves (optional but smart)
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Epsoak Epsom Salt 5 lb
1. Mix Up Your DIY Weed Killer
You're basically making a garden-friendly potion here—no wand required:
- In a large bowl or pitcher, mix:
- 2 cups of white vinegar
- ¼ cup of Epsom salts
- A good squirt (about 1 tbsp) of dish soap
Natural Distilled White Vinegar
The vinegar dries the weeds out, the Epsom salts dehydrate them even more, and the soap helps everything stick to those sneaky little leaves.
2. Pour It Into a Spray Bottle
Use a funnel if you want to avoid a mess (trust me, it goes everywhere otherwise). Pour your mixture into a spray bottle and give it a good shake.
Plastic Spray Bottle
3. Target Those Weeds (On a Sunny Day)
Pick a sunny, dry day for best results. Spray directly onto the leaves of the weeds—don't soak the soil if you want to protect nearby plants.
This mix is non-selective, so what it touches, it kills. Be precise!
Within hours, you’ll start to see the leaves curling, browning, and giving up. It’s oddly satisfying.
Give it 24–48 hours for the full effect. For stubborn weeds, a second spray might be needed in a week.
Does Epsom Salt Alone Kill Weeds?
You might be wondering, “Can I just sprinkle Epsom salt straight onto the weeds?” Short answer: yes, but it’s not as effective. The combo of vinegar and dish soap really levels up the destruction. That said, sprinkling Epsom salts in cracks or gravel paths can help dry out smaller, stubborn weeds.
Bonus Tips for Garden-Safe Spraying
- Only spray when there’s no rain in the forecast for 24 hours.
- Morning is best—let the sun do the heavy lifting after you spray.
- Keep away from grass or any plants you love. This spray doesn’t play favorites.
Hydrogen Peroxide
DIY Vinegar Epsom Salt Weed Killer: Simple and Effective
Weeds can be relentless, but you don’t need expensive sprays or harmful chemicals to win the battle. With a few simple ingredients (that you probably already have), you can zap those weeds the natural way.
Plus, there’s just something really satisfying about solving a backyard problem with a homemade solution.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Do you have your own secret weed-busting recipes? Share them in the comments—I love trying new garden hacks.
Comments
Join the conversation
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I have used a homemade weed killer but I used ice cream salt instead of Epsom salt. It works really well too.
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This works very well, but yes, you do have to reapply every so often. For the large areas around our shed, we just sprinkled and spread table salt, which works just as well for us as Epsom salt and is very inexpensive, then put vinegar in a sprinkling can and sprinkled away! It was an easy way to get rid of weeds in a large area. BE SURE TO rinse out sprinkling can really well after putting the vinegar in it and before using it to water plants.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Will that weed killer work on sand spurs
Can this be used to kill grass in an area where you want to put rock down?
Definitely going to have a batch mixed up! How long does it take to actually kill the weeds. Some of the worst weeds are deeply rooted and vine to another area feet away. So do you spray both sides? Then dig it out and spray before throwing out. I’m also concerned that the salt will clog the sprayer. Has this happened before?