Cheap, Non-Toxic Dandelion Killer

Make a Weed Killer from Common Household Products

Apr 30, 2008

Weed Killing Alternative

When dandelion season approaches, many people run out and buy the first product they find which kills dandelions with little regard for cost or safety. After all, who wants dandelions in the grass? The Jones’ don’t and we wouldn’t want to offend them!

One of the leading brands of weed killer is Ortho Weed B Gon Max Killer for Lawns. It usually costs around twenty dollars for a self-pumping 1 gallon container. It also contains 2,4-D, which has been linked with cancer. However, according to the Material Data Safety Sheet for Weed-B-Gon Max, it is practically non-toxic. This has been determined by testing it on rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs.

It seems strange that while the product data sheet says that it is practically non-toxic, it states the following under Immediate Concerns “CAUTION - Avoid contact with eyes, skin, or clothing. - Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. - KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.”

A Cheap Green Alternative

If leaving dandelions in your yard is not an alternative, you can make your own dandelion and weed killer using inexpensive and safe household ingredients.

Ingredients

Instructions

Mix vinegar and salt in a pan on the stovetop. (If you use a stainless steel pan that is grungy looking, it will acquire a like-new bright finish).

Bring to a boil so that the salt dissolves into the vinegar. Turn off the stove.

Allow the mixture to cool enough so that it won’t burn you or melt your spray bottle. (You can let it cool completely if you aren’t in a hurry to go out and kill dandelions).

It is best to use a stream setting on your bottle and aim directly into the middle of the dandelion rosette so that you do not kill the surrounding grass.

Cost Analysis of the Earth-Friendly Alternative

A one-gallon jug of generic vinegar cost $1.94. A one-pound container of salt cost 33 cents. The cost of dish soap is nominal. The total cost for one gallon of non-toxic dandelion killer is $2.27.

Benefits of Commercial Weed Killers

There is one benefit to commercial weed killers, which cannot be overlooked, they will not kill the grass. Using alternative weed killers does put your grass at risk if you are not careful about how you apply the weed killer.

If the the dandelions are thick in your yard, use a mixture of soap and vinegar without salt. It may take several applications to kill the weeds but you don't run the risk of salting your soil.

The copyright of the article Cheap, Non-Toxic Dandelion Killer in Gardening Products is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish Cheap, Non-Toxic Dandelion Killer in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

May 2, 2008 1:40 AM

Guest :

Thanks, going to bookmark this one. Sarah xxx

May 5, 2008 12:30 PM

Guest :

will it b safe for my dog.how long will it be before i can lay turf many thanks ian

May 5, 2008 1:19 PM

Melissa Howard :

Ian,

It would depend on how many dandelions you are killing. If your yard is completely covered with dandelions and you used this method for eradicating them, you would essentially be salting your ground which would prevent all plants from growing.

However, if you are getting rid of a few random dandelions this method should not be a problem as a good soaking of the area with water after the dandelions are dead should distribute the salt throughout the soil making it harmless.

It is only fair to caution you however, that I only use this for elimination of mild dandelion infestations. If you have a serious problem that needs to be addressed before laying your turf, you might want to look into other alternatives.

May 7, 2008 4:19 PM

Aurae Beidler :

Hi,
This weekend I used straight distilled vinegar in a spray bottle, as heard on a NW gardening show. It worked great! The dandelions wilted within hours. I was careful not to get any on the grass.
I was glad to find a non-toxic way to kill the weeds without using Roundup, as my dog lives in the backyard.
Great article by the way.

Apr 28, 2009 12:42 PM

Guest :

Instead of the dandelions being killed,I found myself shriveled up on the floor with a bad back the next day,whereas the weeds were still all standing tall!!! :) or :( !!!

Apr 28, 2009 12:50 PM

Christine Eirschele :

To help keep toxins off valued plants - rinse out an empty plastic milk jug and cut the bottom off. Then when spraying, point the nozzle of the sprayer through the pour top. This helps cut down on wind drift issues.

May 4, 2009 4:41 PM

Guest :

Thanks for the information! I'm looking forward to trying this out very soon!

May 11, 2009 5:48 AM

Guest :

Say you did use the Ortho Weed-B-Gon already like I did...
How long will the toxins stick around? Is there a time period where it will be safe or do they stick around forever and I just put my family at unnecessary risk? And lastly how long do you have to wait to plant seeds other than grass i.e. vegetables etc?
Kathy

May 12, 2009 7:42 PM

Guest :

I'm going to try this tomorrow, as I have had reasonable success with straight vinegar. However, this just kills the leaves, NOT the root. Therefore it should take a few applications before the plant actually dies, because you have to slowly deprive it of food, correct?
My plan is to keep killing the leaves and mowing before there are flowers in hopes of gradually reducing the number of dandelions without poison.
This is what I have gathered from what I have read. If anyone knows differently, please tell!

Jun 2, 2009 10:49 PM

Guest :

If the salt is left out to avoid salting the earth, as per your note, will this mixture kill grass and other plants in addition to the dandelions?
Also, is there a recommended amount to use per dandelion plant?

Jun 23, 2009 7:25 AM

Guest :

The best way to get rid of the dandelions is to remove them using a hand tool or one of those cool stand-up gadgets that you push with your foot and it grabs the weed. If it grows back, then spray it with the homemade weed killer. The homemade weed killer is good for the small stuff that grows between patio stones and driveway interlocking.