Martha Stewart's Simple DIY Weed Killer Is An Absolute Must-Try

Are you looking to eliminate those pesky weeds in your garden without using commercial herbicides? Martha Stewart's easy-to-make DIY weed killer could be the solution you're looking for. Stewart shared her simple DIY weed killer on TikTok, detailing the required materials and ingredients for making the solution. Luckily, everything you need to make it is probably already available in your kitchen. So if you're a gardener or gardening enthusiast who has just about given up on finding an effective and eco-friendly weed killer you can make at home, it's high time you tried this.

First, ensure you have these items on hand: an empty spray bottle, two measuring cups, a spoon, distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, and biodegradable liquid dishwashing soap. After you've got everything together, pour one quart of the distilled white vinegar into the measuring cup. Next, add ¼ cup of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of biodegradable liquid dish soap. Unscrew the spray bottle cap and pour the solution into the empty bottle. Finally, replace the spray bottle cap and give the solution a vigorous shake so everything is well-mixed.

You can use this DIY weed killer to manage invasive plants in your garden and other areas where weeds pop up, such as spaces between paving stones, concrete driveways or patios, and stone walkways. As with any herbicide, however, it's essential to take safety precautions when using this DIY solution. Even though its ingredients aren't particularly hazardous to humans, you should use it on a calm day when no blustery winds can cause the spray to reach your eyes — or your favorite flowering plants.

Apply it directly onto the weeds you want to eliminate by getting up close and personal before spraying; this helps you avoid killing healthy grass or garden plants. It's also important to remember that while this solution is eco-friendly, it can still be harmful if ingested or if it comes into contact with your eyes. So, consider wearing protective gear, such as gardening gloves, goggles, or a face mask when applying it. Also, be sure to store the bottle away from children and pets when you're done using it.

Although it may be your first time making Martha Stewart's DIY weed killer, the properties of its ingredients are already well-established in the gardening world. Distilled white vinegar contains acetic acid, making it an effective herbicide as it burns and breaks down plant tissue. Meanwhile, lemon is a citrus fruit that contains citric acid, which destroys the plant's protective layer and causes it to become dried out and irreversibly damaged by the sun. Finally, liquid dish soap works as a surfactant that ensures the solution sticks to the exterior of the weed to maximize the effect.

Aside from being practical and easy to make, this DIY weed killer is an environmentally-friendly option for your edible garden. While the debate rages about just how dangerous popular glyphosate-based herbicides (such as Roundup) are, many homeowners are happy to opt for a safer solution to pesky weeds — especially when working around vegetables that will later end up on their plates. On top of that, you can make it anytime and save on gardening expenses.