If you’re trying to create a healthier home, don’t forget about what’s happening outside your front door. One of the easiest lo-tox swaps we’ve made outdoors is ditching Roundup and other conventional weed killers in favor of a simple DIY mixture made from ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Our family chooses to avoid glyphosate—the active ingredient in many conventional weed killers—because of ongoing concerns surrounding its potential health and environmental impacts. Since our kids spend so much time playing and exploring outside, finding a lower-tox alternative for weed control felt like an easy change to make.
Instead, we use a simple combination of cleaning vinegar, salt, and a small amount of Dawn dish soap. It almost sounds too simple to work, but I can confidently say it’s incredibly effective. After applying it directly to weeds on a sunny day, you’ll typically see them wilt and die within 24 hours.
The vinegar and salt work together to dry out the weeds, while the dish soap helps the mixture stick to the leaves for better results. Not only is it quick to make, but it also costs a fraction of what you’d spend on conventional weed killers.
I’ve included the full recipe below, and if you’re more of a visual learner, I also shared a reel showing exactly how I mix and apply it. Seeing the results for yourself makes it even easier to understand why this has become our go-to weed control method.
Lo-Tox Weed Killer
Ingredients
- 1 Gallon White Vinegar (30% acidity, you can find this at Home Depot)
- 1 Cup Table Salt or Epson Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Liquid Dawn Dish Soap
Instructions
- Dissolve the salt: Pour the salt into a large container or pump sprayer, add a little of the vinegar, and stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Add the rest: Pour in the rest of the vinegar and the Dawn dish soap. Mix well, but do not shake vigorously to avoid excessive suds.
- Application: Pour the mixture into a spray bottle or pump sprayer. Coat the foliage and stems of the weeds thoroughly
Notes
For me, this swap is a perfect example of what lo-tox living is all about. It’s not about perfection—it’s about making simple, practical choices that reduce unnecessary exposures. Sometimes the easiest and most affordable solution is also the one that aligns best with a healthier home and lifestyle.
At the end of the day, lo-tox living isn’t about overhauling your entire lifestyle overnight. It’s about making simple, intentional swaps where they make sense for your family. This DIY weed killer is one of those easy changes that helps us reduce unnecessary exposures.
If you’re looking for more simple changes that can make a big impact, be sure to check out my post, 3 Lo-Tox Swaps With the Biggest Health Returns. In it, I share the everyday swaps that I believe offer the greatest benefit for the effort—and they’re all easy places to start if you’re new to a lo-tox lifestyle.
Thanks for reading!
Xo-Lo
No Comments