Weeds poking through your patio not only ruin the charming aesthetic of your garden, but they damage the structure of your paving too. A simple natural everyday item can eliminate them in three days and prevent regrowth.
The Salt Trick for Weed Removal
Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, is an effective and natural way to tackle stubborn weeds. Eco-friendly gardening influencer Nancy Birtwhistle has shared her method using salt and boiling water.
In a video on her Instagram page, Nancy pointed out dandelion weeds growing between her paving blocks. She said, "I'm going to get rid of these, and we can do it naturally. Don't go out buying path clear and spot weed killer – those things are so toxic and costly. We can do it effectively, cheaply and safely."
How to Apply the Treatment
To get rid of the weeds, Nancy starts by pouring boiling water from the kettle over the weeds before sprinkling "just a tiny bit of salt" all over them. She checked in on the weeds "three days later," and the dandelion weeds were all dead. She pointed out that "they'll not be back this season."
Salt works by dehydrating the plants and disrupting the internal water balance of the plant's cells. Since salt is water-soluble, it is most effectively applied when mixed with water, as this makes it easier for the weeds to absorb.
User Testimonials
Followers of Nancy shared their thoughts on this hack, with one describing it as "life-changing." One user wrote, "I watched this reel last year, and omg, I'm so grateful; I did my drive and patio. They are looking so clear! The amount of time and money I spent on harmful path and patio weed killers over the years, and I've noticed they don't grow back now with salt."
Another commented: "Used brown rock salt on our gravel drive – the weeds have disappeared overnight." A third said: "This works 100%! Brilliant, thanks Nancy!" A fourth noted: "I've been doing this for years too, and it works really well."
One user found success with just using boiling water on its own. They said, "I tried this just with boiling water on some persistent grass weeds that were growing (I forgot the salt!), but the boiling water worked just as well."
