LifestyleGardeningWeeds can be a real pain to deal with, but one woman has shared a simple and effective natural weed killer using two common kitchen items that almost everyone will have access to15:32, 25 Jun 2026If weeds are proving troublesome in your garden, two everyday kitchen staples could be the answer to getting rid of them. Weeds are an absolute headache for gardeners everywhere. They possess robust biological traits that make them notoriously hard to eliminate, including deep-reaching roots, enormous seed reserves, and waxy foliage that shrugs off weed killers.‌These characteristics mean the internet is flooded with countless tips and techniques on how to tackle them effectively and stop them from returning. Many of the most widely shared hacks on social media recommend using products such as vinegar, bleach, and commercial weed-killing solutions. However, one recently surfaced trick relies on two basic kitchen ingredients that virtually everyone will already have at home.‌In a video posted on Instagram by a woman named Neal, she insisted you can banish your weed problem using nothing more than table salt and boiling water — two items most households have in plentiful supply.‌Neal, who included several household tips in her video, opened the clip by explaining that "salt and hot water kills weeds", and revealed she had poured the combination onto the weeds in her patio just days earlier, and they were already shrivelled and lifeless.Her footage displayed the weeds sprouting between the slate tiles in her garden before she applied the mixture, alongside the withered brown remnants left behind a few days after the salt and boiling water had done their work.Simply combine roughly one to two parts salt with three parts boiling water from your kettle, then carefully pour the mixture directly over the foliage and the base of the weeds.‌The solution works because the scalding water shocks and destroys the plant tissue, while the salt permanently dehydrates the weed, preventing it from absorbing any moisture. For optimum results, this method should be carried out on a sunny day with no prospect of rain, as rainfall could wash away the salt before it has had sufficient time to take effect.It's also vital that you never apply this method to weeds growing in flowerbeds or pots, and only ever use it on weeds found between paving slabs, gravel, and other areas completely clear of plants. This is because the solution will obliterate any plants growing in the soil it comes into contact with - including those you wish to preserve.Ensure you wear closed-toe shoes, trousers, and potentially even gloves when applying this homemade weed killer, as this will minimise the risk of scalding your skin should the boiling water splash back up towards you.‌How to kill weeds effectivelyManual removalPull by hand: Uproot weeds, ensuring you remove the entire root system, especially for perennial weeds.Hoeing: Use a hoe to sever weeds at the soil surface. Best done when the soil is dry.Mulching‌Organic mulch: Apply a two to four-inch layer of wood chips, straw, or leaves around plants to block sunlight.Landscape fabric: Place fabric under mulch for extra protection.Chemical controlSelective herbicides: Target specific types of weeds (e.g., broadleaf or grassy).Non-selective herbicides: Kill all vegetation. Use carefully to avoid harming desired plants.Pre-emergent herbicides: Prevent weed seeds from germinating.Article continues belowNatural solutionsBoiling water: Pour directly onto weeds in cracks or driveways.Vinegar: Household vinegar can burn young weeds. Stronger horticultural vinegar is more effective, but use caution.Salt: Use sparingly, only in areas where you don’t want anything to grow, as salt can harm soil health.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌GardeningExpert AdviceViral