Eco‑friendly gardening hack: Using laundry detergent to banish weeds
No more troublesome weeds on the driveway. Instead of hours spent weeding, all you need is something you likely have at home. Discover a brilliant and inexpensive way to tackle weeds that works faster than vinegar and is safer for surfaces. This gardening trick for pennies is a real hit that will transform your garden.
When spring is in full bloom, alongside fresh buds and blooming flower beds, uninvited guests enter the garden. We're talking about weeds that appear absolutely everywhere — between paving slabs, on gravel paths, driveways, or terraces. Fighting them can be tedious, and store-bought products are often expensive and not very eco-friendly. But what if an effective and cheap solution to weeds is waiting for us... in the laundry room?
It turns out that something as simple as laundry detergent can work wonders. And the best part — it costs mere pennies. It works quickly, leaves no unpleasant odour, and doesn’t damage surfaces like some chemical preparations do.
A surprising way to tackle weeds
While vinegar and salt have been recommended as natural weed control methods for years, gardeners are increasingly turning to another, surprising home remedy for weeds — laundry detergent. What started as a curiosity on social media is now becoming a genuine alternative to chemical herbicides.
What makes it effective? Many laundry detergents contain borax, which is sodium borate — a substance long known for its fungicidal and bactericidal properties. In the case of plants, it works somewhat differently — it disrupts their metabolism, causing weeds to wilt and die within a few hours or days. The effect is swift, and the whole process is remarkably simple.
All you need to do is sprinkle weeds with a thin layer of detergent and then pour hot water over them. Done! No mixing, diluting, or measuring is required. This solution is ideal for busy people who don’t want to spend time weeding each plant individually.
Inexpensive and effective weed solution – how to use it safely?
While this weed control method seems like a small revolution, it’s worth knowing a few rules to avoid harming yourself or your garden.
First — this method is only suitable for impermeable and plant-free surfaces: paving stones, concrete, gravel, terraces, or stone paths. Absolutely do not use it on vegetable beds, flower beds, or lawns. Why? Because boron, while needed in small amounts, is toxic in excess and can disrupt the soil’s biological balance. For delicate ornamental plants, it can be a death sentence.
Second — choose a cheaper, simpler detergent without bleaching agents and strong scents. Not only is it more environmentally friendly, but it’ll also work better as a natural herbicide. And if you have an old or expired package at home — even better! Instead of throwing it away, you can give it a second life.
Third — don’t overdo it. One application is more than enough to effectively stop weed growth. Overusing detergent can lead to soil contamination or the runoff of detergents into groundwater.
A simple, eco-friendly way to tackle weeds that won’t break the bank
What attracts gardeners most to this method is its cost-effectiveness. For just about 1 pound, you can effectively clear several square metres of garden from unsightly weeds. Compared to expensive store-bought gardening products, it’s a real bargain. Moreover, it’s a method that’s more environmentally neutral than chemical herbicides containing glyphosate, which not only kill plants but can also harm soil and aquatic organisms.
Of course, it’s not a perfect solution and should be used wisely. But if you’re looking for a quick and cheap effect without harming the environment — it’s worth a try.
