If you mean a homemade weed killer, there are some simple options, but “super effective” homemade herbicides usually have trade-offs: many kill the leaves they touch but may not kill deep roots, and some can damage soil, nearby plants, or surfaces.
Simple homemade spot weed spray (for cracks, paths, and areas where you don’t want plants)
Ingredients
- 1 gallon (about 3.8 L) white vinegar (higher-acidity horticultural vinegar works faster than kitchen vinegar)
- 1 cup table salt
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
Method
- Mix the salt into the vinegar until dissolved.
- Add dish soap and stir gently.
- Pour into a spray bottle.
- Spray directly onto weed leaves on a dry, sunny day.
Important cautions
- Do not use this on lawns, garden beds, or near desirable plants—salt can build up and harm soil and vegetation.
- Avoid spraying near trees, shrubs, or plants you want to keep.
- The mixture works mainly by burning foliage; tough perennial weeds may grow back.
More plant-friendly weed control options
- Pull weeds after rain when roots loosen.
- Use mulch (wood chips, straw, or leaves) to block sunlight.
- Use boiling water for weeds growing in sidewalk cracks.
- For gardens, consider targeted removal rather than broad spraying.
If you tell me where the weeds are growing (lawn, driveway cracks, gravel, flower beds, vegetable garden, etc.) and the type of weed, I can suggest the safest approach.
