ADVERTISEMENT
Springtime often brings joy to gardeners, but it also comes with a common frustration—dealing with weeds. These unwanted invaders can ruin even the most well-maintained gardens, particularly on gravel paths and driveways where they seem to flourish. While many people turn to popular natural remedies like vinegar and salt, there’s a lesser-known yet surprisingly effective alternative that has been gaining attention: washing powder.
A Surprising New Solution
According to a recent discussion on the Facebook group “Gardening Hints and Tips,” a new method of weed control has emerged, and it’s making waves among gardening enthusiasts. While many gardeners have long relied on vinegar and salt mixtures to combat weeds, one group member introduced a new contender—laundry detergent.
One user shared, “I’ve used salt in my walkway, and it works, but I found laundry detergent to be better.” Another member added that detergent works almost immediately, which caught the attention of others in the group.
Gardening expert Tom Clifford further supported this claim, noting that “dry detergent is a gentler alternative to harsh chemical weed killers that can damage the surface of your patio or driveway, especially if it is made of delicate stone.”
Why Laundry Detergent Works
Laundry detergent works as a weed killer due to its active ingredient, boron, which is toxic to plants. This makes it highly effective for clearing weeds from areas like gravel paths, driveways, and patios, where other plants aren’t present. The key to its effectiveness is that it quickly dries out the weeds, preventing them from continuing to grow or spread.
However, it’s important to exercise caution when using this method. Since boron is harmful to most plants, it’s best to limit the use of laundry detergent to non-vegetated areas. This ensures that you don’t accidentally damage your flowers, shrubs, or other greenery that you want to keep.
How to Use Laundry Detergent as a Weed Killer
Using laundry detergent to combat weeds is simple and budget-friendly. Here’s how you can try this method in your own garden:
Sprinkle the Detergent: Identify the areas where weeds are growing, such as gravel paths, driveways, or patios. Sprinkle a small amount of dry laundry detergent directly onto the weeds.
Pour Boiling Water: After applying the detergent, carefully pour boiling water over the affected areas. The combination of heat and detergent helps break down the weeds quickly, causing them to dry up and die.
Monitor and Repeat: You may need to repeat this process for particularly stubborn weeds, but many users have reported seeing results almost immediately.
This method is not only effective but also economical. A 600-gram package of laundry detergent can be purchased for as little as 4 or 5 PLN, making it a cheaper option than many commercial weed killers.
A Word of Caution
continued on next page
ADVERTISEMENT
