White vinegar is a ‘clever little garden fix for targeted jobs like spot-weeding, cleaning tools and freshening hard surfaces’, according to an expert
There’s a simple way to kill weeds(Image: MoMo Productions via Getty Images)
White vinegar boasts numerous practical applications throughout the home. From removing limescale in kettles to polishing windows, the 39p staple ingredient features in countless household cupboards.
Mark Dwelly, Head Gardener at Audley Stanbridge Earls, has offered guidance on utilising natural products outdoors. He explained: “White vinegar is a clever little garden fix for targeted jobs like spot-weeding, cleaning tools and freshening hard surfaces.”
Nevertheless, the specialist cautioned that the 39p product should be treated as a “precision tool”, rather than applied indiscriminately.
Remove weeds
The gardening professional noted: “[White vinegar] is especially handy on paths, patios and in cracks where weeds tend to pop up, but it’s not something to spray around carelessly in flower beds.”
Weeds can be eliminated using the natural remedy by combining one litre of water with white vinegar and a tablespoon of washing-up liquid.
This solution can be applied directly onto weeds during hot, sunny weather for optimal results. The acetic acid present in vinegar will destroy and dehydrate weeds within 24 hours.
Vinegar can kill weeds fast(Image: Getty)
Deter pests
According to the specialist, white vinegar can discourage animals and pests, including ants and cats, from invading your flower beds.
As reported by the Express, he continued: “It’s not a miracle cure, though, more of a useful little helper.” To employ it, you can saturate cloths in vinegar and position them throughout the garden.
If you’re battling ants, apply some on a dry, sunny day when they’re active; it can disrupt their trails.
Clean patios
The natural remedy can eliminate dirt and algae from patios when mixed with water at a 1:1 ratio.
Just apply it to the area, let it penetrate for 30 to 60 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse thoroughly.
Some patios cannot handle white vinegar and may be damaged by it, so ensure you verify whether your patio’s material can withstand the treatment.
Cleaning gardening tools
To maintain gardening equipment, combine white vinegar and water at a 1:1 ratio and use it to eliminate rust, which helps minimise soil-borne diseases.
Soil acidifier
White vinegar can serve as a soil acidifier by adding two tablespoons of vinegar per litre of water for acid-loving plants.
These include azaleas, blue hydrangeas, and blueberries; ensure you apply it to the soil rather than directly onto the plants themselves.
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