Weeds can be a real nuisance in the garden, but there are plenty of natural ways to get rid of them on your driveway without resorting to expensive chemical products11:52, 05 Jul 2026With summer now in full swing, gardens are bursting with life. However, flowering plants, fruits and vegetables aren't the only things flourishing as the mercury rises, as weeds also begin emerging from March and throughout the warmer months.‌Weeding may not be your favourite gardening chore, but it's one you simply cannot neglect, as they sprout up across lawns, patios and driveways alike.‌Pop into any garden centre and you'll discover a whole host of weed remedies, all claiming to eliminate weeds within 24 hours or prevent roots from taking hold once more. But there's absolutely no need to splash out on pricey chemical products when natural alternatives are available at a fraction of the cost.‌In fact, when I put the question of driveway weed removal to five experts, every single one of them recommended the very same solution.Luke Newnes, garden expert at Hillarys, explained: "Start with a good clear-out. I like to begin by pulling out any weeds that have already pushed through. If you can, get the whole root, especially with dandelions and plantain, because anything left behind tends to grow back stronger. A simple weeding tool or even an old screwdriver works wonders for getting between block paving."‌"Use a natural weed killer you probably already own. One of my favourite tricks is a mix of white vinegar, a little washing-up liquid and water. Spray it directly onto weeds on a dry, sunny day. The sun helps it work faster, and you'll usually see them wilt within hours. It's a simple, non-chemical option that's great for quick wins."Andy McLaughlin, sales and operations director at RF Paving, suggested a comparable approach, beginning with removing as much of the weed as possible by hand, before treating the affected area with either vinegar, boiling water or salt."Mixing vinegar that has an acetic acid content between 5% and 20% with some washing-up liquid helps the liquid adhere to the roots of the weed for more effective results," he said. "Simply spritz directly onto the weeds, making sure not to get any solution on any plants nearby, as the vinegar could cause them to deteriorate.‌"For the best results, try adding this solution to your gardening routine, or at least every two weeks, to ensure the weeds have gone completely."For those without vinegar at home, Andy suggested that boiling water alone can be equally effective at eliminating weeds. Simply pour it straight onto the unwanted growth, ensuring you take the necessary precautions by wearing gloves and appropriate protective equipment where required.Dousing weeds with boiling water will initially eliminate growth from the surface, however it proves ineffective at destroying the root, meaning the weed will more than likely return over time.‌For more stubborn weeds, the same technique can be applied, but with salt added to the mix. Andy advised diluting one part table salt with two to three parts water, warning that excessive salt could cause damage to the surrounding soil.The salt works by dehydrating the weeds, causing them to wilt and ultimately perish.‌Care should be exercised when applying salt near paving, as repeated use - particularly on natural stone - can compromise the structural integrity of the surface, while also triggering discolouration and erosion.Jessica Mercer, horticulturist at Plant Addicts, said: "If the driveway weeds are small and scattered, I pull them after rain (or after I've hosed the area) because the roots slide out instead of snapping off. For tiny weeds in cracks, boiling water works well. Pour slowly so it soaks the base, and plan to repeat it on anything with a deep taproot."Vinegar can also help on weed seedlings, but the concentrated vinegars can be pricey and should be applied wearing eye protection. Do not spray vinegar near garden plants, since it can damage any leafy growth."‌Ward Dilmore, founder and head landscape designer at Petrus Landscaping, said: "Vinegar is a great natural weed killer that is cheap, widely available, and non toxic and safe to handle."Vinegar and other natural weed killers work best when the weather is hot and sunny. Cold weather is less stressful on plants and can help weeds survive a dose of natural weed killer application."Vinegar and salt water mixes are also available online as a natural weed killer. Again, this is a good option for an area with no other surrounding plant material since salt is very toxic to plants and will stick around in soil for quite some time. Boiling water is another easy natural option for driveway weeds that can be applied with caution."Article continues belowLiam Sharkey, home expert at HomeServe, commented: "For a quick fix, boiling water poured directly onto weeds kills them on contact. It's free, easy, and perfectly safe around pets and children. White vinegar at cleaning strength is another good option, especially when applied on a sunny day."Turning to the matter of stopping weeds from coming back, Luke Newnes explained: "It really does help It sounds basic, but a regular sweep keeps seeds, debris and moisture from settling. Weeds love compacted dirt and damp joints, so keeping the surface clear gives them fewer places to anchor themselves."Re-sand your driveway joints If you've got block paving, topping up the kiln-dried sand between the bricks makes a huge difference. Weeds hate tight spaces, and fresh sand helps block the light that encourages new growth. I see people skip this step all the time, and it's one of the simplest ways to prevent weeds long term."