If you are looking for one of them Best weed killer For all kinds of lawn weed woes, you may be tempted to reach for a common household product to get the job done without relying on a separate, store-bought solution. Pine-Sol, a multi-surface cleaning formula, is a commonly recommended household solution. It’s been touted on social media and in online articles as an effective weed killer, and while almost everyone has a bottle of this cleaner at home, it certainly seems like an easy option. However, pine-sol may not be the effective weed-killing answer you’re looking for, and it may have some other unwanted consequences when applied to your lawn or garden.
Alexis Rochester, Investigative Chemist Chemistry cachetSpeaking exclusively to Hunker about pine-sol’s effectiveness on pesky weeds, he admitted that “it’s not very effective.” She shares that pine-sol’s “components can damage weed leaves, causing them to shrivel up and die the same way vinegar works to kill weeds.” However, Rochester admits that “you would need a very concentrated dose to see the effects.”
If you want to try pine-sol as a homemade weed-killing solution, it’s important to know that it’s best applied to small weeds, not large growths. “Pine-sol can probably kill small weeds because it’s moderately acidic and contains surfactants and solvents,” says Rochester. However, don’t expect a simple household sweeper to completely solve your weed problem. “It can temporarily knock out small weeds, but it’s not as effective as vinegar-based weed sprays, which are more acidic,” she adds.
Be careful where you apply any homemade weed killer
Hoping to stick with a homemade weed-prevention solution for your lawn or other areas, such as cracks in concrete or between patio pavers? Speaking exclusively to Hunker, Rochester recommends trying a different DIY option to effectively remove that unwanted growth. “Using a DIY weed killer with a vinegar base is still a better choice for killing weeds in a pinch,” she explains.
Before you whip on a vinegar-based weed killer (eg Natural baking soda and vinegar spray) and start spraying it on any weeds you see outside your home, it’s important to understand Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Homemade Weed Killer. In general, homemade weed solutions can affect both weeds and your lawn. “Any homemade weed killer is non-selective,” says Rochester. “This means it doesn’t target a specific weed or plant, it will damage the leaves of anything you spray, including grass.” As a result, if you spray your DIY weeding solution widely rather than selectively, you can cause unexpected damage to your lush lawn or other garden plants. Instead, choose your application areas wisely, Rochester says: “Homemade weed killers are best used in areas like sidewalk cracks or rocks. You don’t want to use them to treat lawns or flower beds because (they) will harm any plants.”
