Weeds often pop up between patio slabs or cracks in the driveway, exactly where you don’t want them. It may be easy to grab some weedkiller when shopping for cleaning and gardening products, but you may already have the perfect weedkiller in your kitchen without even knowing it.
It may sound somewhat ridiculous, but vodka may be the secret to getting rid of weeds and preventing them coming back. DIY expert Bill Jarvis from Premium Paints, says: “Vodka probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about getting rid of weeds. But the alcohol can dry the leaves out, which can leave the weed looking pretty sorry for itself.”
He continued: “You obviously don’t want to go around pouring vodka all over the garden, but if you’ve got a few stubborn weeds coming through paving or popping up in awkward places, it’s a cheap and unusual trick you could try.
“It is also a handy way to use something you might already have at home, rather than going out and buying another product just to deal with a few weeds.”
A cheap bottle of own-brand vodka can cost as little as £7 at some supermarkets, and you’ll have some left over for a drink after completing your weedkilling.
How to use vodka to tackle weeds
Start by mixing vodka with water and adding a small amount of washing-up liquid, putting the mixture into a spray bottle.
Spray the leaves of the unwanted weeds thoroughly, ideally on a dry, sunny day, so the mixture has plenty of time to work. After the mixture has worked, clear the dead weeds away.
Be careful where you spray the mixture, avoiding any flowers, grass, or other plants you actually want to keep.