Weeds have a pesky habit of thriving in moist, shaded areas of gardens, making gravelled spots a popular breeding ground. But a common household item could be the key to banishing them for goodRom Preston-Ellis Assistant News Editor and Angela Patrone Senior Lifestyle Reporter
12:24, 30 May 2025
Gardeners can banish weeds with a common household item(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Weeds are well known for flourishing in damp, shaded garden areas, making gravelled spaces a prime breeding ground. Gravel can accumulate rainwater, dust and organic matter such as bird droppings, creating the perfect conditions for weeds to sprout.
Seeds can be spread by wind, animal fur or even on the soles of shoes, and once they encounter the right environment – warmth, moisture and humidity. They begin to grow and extend their roots. Despite the use of landscape fabric or weed barriers, some stubborn weeds manage to penetrate through.
Suzie Briggs sought advice from the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group after stumbling upon suggestions to use white vinegar and salt as a remedy for weeds in gravel. She queried: “I’ve seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing. I have a gravel covered drive and can’t seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths. Would they work on the drive or is there something better?”.
Ms Briggs further clarified that there were no nearby plants to worry about and no future plans to plant anything on the drive. Fellow group members responded in the comments, concurring that white vinegar and salt “work well” but suggested a supposedly “better” household solution – washing powder.
Simone Mister recounted her experience: “I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me.”, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Sarah McEvoy also enjoyed successful results, remarking: “I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water.”
Vera Hill concurred, adding: “Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly.” Tom Clifford, a gardening guru from Gardenstone, shared his professional advice with Ideal Home, advocating for caution when using potent chemical weed killers which have the potential to mar patio surfaces, especially those comprised of more sensitive stone material.
Highlighting a less harmful alternative, Clifford suggested laundry detergent as an effective yet gentle solution for exterminating weeds that won’t damage the patio. He underscored its practicality by saying: “In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers.”
The efficacy of this technique stems from the boron found in laundry powder, a substance detrimental to plant life. Applying this agent directly to pesky weeds delivers a fatal blow, causing them to shrivel upon contact.
To deploy washing powder against these unwelcome plants, liberally sprinkle it across the gravel or slot it into the crevices of your patio, followed by a pour of boiling water. As the weeds turn a tell-tale brown and begin to droop, a simple broom should be all you need to sweep away the remains.