Each ingredient in Nana’s recipe plays a key role:
Vinegar (white vinegar with 5% acetic acid) acts as the main weed-killing agent. Its acidity damages the leaves of the plant on contact.
Salt (sodium chloride) helps dehydrate the plant, enhancing the weed-killing power of the vinegar.
Dish soap serves as a surfactant, helping the mixture stick to and penetrate the weed leaves more effectively.
Together, they create a powerful natural herbicide.
3. The Science Behind Vinegar as a Weed Killer
Vinegar kills weeds by breaking down their cell membranes through its acetic acid content. This causes the plant tissue to dry out and die. It’s especially effective on young, tender weeds. While stronger concentrations of vinegar (10%–20% acetic acid) are available for commercial use, household vinegar is generally sufficient for home gardens.
However, vinegar is non-selective—it can harm any plant it touches. Careful application is essential to avoid damaging nearby plants.
4. How Salt Enhances the Weed-Killing Effect
Salt acts by pulling moisture out of plant cells, leading to dehydration and death. When combined with vinegar, it prevents the plant from recovering after the initial acid damage.
Caution: Salt can remain in the soil and may negatively affect future plant growth. It’s best used in areas like driveways, sidewalks, or gravel paths where you don’t plan to grow anything.
5. The Role of Dish Soap in the Mixture
Dish soap acts as a surfactant, reducing the surface tension of the liquid. This allows the solution to spread and stick more evenly across the leaves, making the vinegar and salt more effective.
It also helps prevent the solution from washing off too easily due to rain or irrigation.
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