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It is expensive to kill weeds by using weed killer. You can use household bleach which works better.
Source: from a friend
By Stellalpe from New York, NY
Bleach is not good for the environment & will get into the groundwater when you use it to kill weeds. You might try vinegar.
Agree with the vinegar route. We might try it this year, as our dandelions are already out of control.
You have to be careful with bleach because it will melt some plastic containers. For instance, if you are using a weed killer sprayer traditionally used for chemicals like Round Up or such.
Bleach - not so much! Vinegar will work but it is not selective. Anything you put it on, it will kill. Boiling water or steam will work as well, but be careful you don't get burned yourself!
Sorry, but the bleach weed killer 50/50 water/bleach and 1/4 cup of dawn liquid soap is really the best, while bleach is toxic, it is less than the toxicity of regular weed killers... why? Because clorine bleach dissipates within 12 hours. It does not harm the ground water. It does not harm the soil, you can go out the next day and plant right on top of the place where the weeds were the next day. :)
Household vinegar/soap combination will work but weeds will return. Vinegar with at least 10% acidity is required to completely kill the weeds to the roots.
Bleach definitely is a strong weed killer, simply because it will kill every single plant it touches. This is why if you decide to use bleach as a weed killer, you should be very careful not to apply it on your other plants by accident. I would usually use it to remove weeds growing from the crevices of a paved patio or something similar, where I can't harm other plants. Lately I had my lawn mowed by a professional company, and the professionals there recommended me to get one of those weed mats. You practically apply a mat around your plants and the weeds stop growing in that particular space. I also found out that old carpets and curtains can be used for the same purpose.
When using bleach should it be diluted first? And ' rainproof' is it?
tried all that..none worked...clorox however did.
I've tried it and it really seem to work on hard to kill weeds. I don't know if it is worse for the environment than commercial weed killers.
Bleach won't harm plastic containers and spray bottles. Common laundry bleach is sold in plastic bottles, so the manufacturers are confidant of this. Bleach in the environment, in contact with soil moisture eventually degrades to free chlorine (nasty for you and the weeds) and sodium chloride, or common table salt (the stuff you eat).
what is the ratio of vinegar or do you use it undiluted?
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Can I use bleach as a weedkiller?
Hardiness Zone: 1
By steve from Manchester, UK
I think vinegar is a better choice, it doesn't harm the groundwater like bleach does. Vinegar is a little slower to work. (11/06/2009)
By Janet
Can you tell me about bleach as a weed killer?
David
Bleach is extremely toxic and should not be used on plants or weeds. Use vinegar instead. It will kill all the toughest weeds except things like blackberry vines. Just dump it straight on the weeds, making sure you get it down into the roots. If you have a lot to do it might take 2 or 3 gallons. I just used 2 gallons today on my weeds. (06/20/2007)
By Mythi
I have never used bleach, but have used salt. I have used it in between sidewalk blocks and under fence. It will kill grass, but is not a poison as so many of the weed and grass killers are. (06/20/2007)
By Graycrab
Please don't! Both bleach and salt are long-lasting pollutants that do reach the groundwater. Try a flame weeder, a long torch that cooks the weed by boiling the juices in it. Very fun, actually, and teenage boys have been known to ask to do this chore. You don't have to dry up and burn the weed, just turn it into seaweed with it. They are cheap to use and organic, perfect for driveways and walkways where weeds come up through gravel or concrete.
I got this idea by reading Ann Lovejoy on organic landscaping. The ultimate solution is barriers, like deep gravel or bark over a layer of black plastic or thick newspaper. If weeds are coming up through your gravel, then double the depth of the gravel. (06/21/2007)
By Kim from WA
