Does Bleach kill Weeds and Grass? Whenever we grow any plant in our garden, it is very common to see unwanted plants or grass around the plant. Now, for some plants, this grass plays a good role in their growth but it may affect the development of some other plants. These grass will take nutrients from the soil that are essential for your plant.
Weeds are undesirable plants that are grown along with the crop. Simply you can remember that weeds are the competitor of your crop. They compete in everything like they absorb sunlight and important nutrients, and also acquire space. This unwanted grass attracts insects and pests that may harm your plant or crop.
This needs to be controlled otherwise it can cause severe damage to your plant. There are several methods to prevent them from growing. People are quite confused about whether they can use bleach for weeds or not. You don’t need to research more, this article will guide you on how to use bleach to kill weeds and grass.
Does bleach kill weeds and grass?
Firstly, let us learn whether bleach will remove weeds and grass permanently or not and that will happen. We all know that bleach is a mixture of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and minor quantities of sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and calcium hypochlorite.
Its concentration ranges between 3 and 6 percent. It can be used to kill weeds and grass. It is a poison for any living organism. You just have to spray undiluted bleach on weeds and grass then keep it for three days and pull off the dead weed and clean the surface. There is a simple phenomenon behind it: bleach increases the pH level of the soil and makes soil unfertile and nothing can grow in that area.
How to use bleach to kill weeds and grass?
So we have learned that bleach is poison for weeds and grass. Bleach contains an amount of chlorine in it. If the usage of bleach is not done properly, it will make your soil unfertile and will also affect the plant that you were saving from the weeds. So, its usage should be done carefully. In this section, we will discuss how to use bleach to kill weeds and grass step-wise.
- Put bleach in a garden sprayer undiluted.
- Directly apply the bleach to the weeds in your yard, in the spaces between pavers, and along roadways.
- On weeds and grass that didn’t die after a couple of days, repeat the treatment.
- To keep the yard tidy, pull out any dead weeds.
Is using bleach safe?
It is also important for you to know if this method is safe or not. It seems easier but it is not a safe method to adopt. The use of bleach is particularly risky since it degrades the health of the soil and leaves dangerous chemical residue anywhere it is applied. As mentioned above also, bleach could damage the soil permanently which means no more cultivation can be done in that area. It causes major damage to the environment. An excess amount of chlorine can cause chlorine toxicity.
So, you need to follow the precautions listed below if you are using this method.
- Always put on gloves and safety glasses.
- Make sure the day you intend to spray bleach is not windy. You might get spray particles in your eyes, nose, and ears.
- Before spraying the entire garden, always perform a pre-test.
- As you spray, make sure no young children, the elderly, or pets are nearby.
- Refrain from overusing bleach on your garden’s soil. Wait a few days before examining the outcomes.
- Without first determining how they could interact, never combine different compounds.
For more such plant related-articles, you may also read, 10 Best Citrus Tree Fertilizers – How & When to use them?
Bleach will eventually increase the pH level of the soil but if you still want to grow the plant on that surface you firstly need to wash off the soil with water. You need to keep on flashing water for several months to make that soil again suitable for growing conditions.
What are the alternatives mixtures I can use with Bleach to kill weeds and grass?
The concentration of bleach harms some good microorganisms and they are unable to survive at that pH level of the soil. So, here are some homemade alternatives that you can easily make on your own.
Bleach with Vinegar solution
Vinegar kills weeds well, mainly when used straight up. It can be combined with bleach to create a stronger homemade herbicide. But if you have an intensive weed problem then do not dilute these both solutions.
Use of Dish wash soap
It is an easily available house product. Combine 1 cup of Clorox with 1 cup of water. Stir in 1 tablespoon of dish soap after adding the other ingredients. Fill a garden sprayer made of plastic with the solution. To kill weeds and grass, spot-spray the solution on the weeds in your yard, roads, sidewalks, and gravel areas. Let it lie for two to three days.
Bleach can stay up to two days in the soil and start getting fade slowly. We recommend you avoid bleach as a herbicide because it kills almost everything that comes in its way like grass, important microorganisms, and even your plant. Therefore, we cannot consider it an environmentally friendly method. Firstly, learn how to use it then go for it.
Concluding lines
In this guide, you come to know that Weeds are undesirable plants grown along with the crop. Simply you can remember that weeds are the competitor of your crop. They compete in everything like they absorb sunlight and important nutrients, and also acquire space. This unwanted grass attracts insects and pests that may harm your plant or crop. I hope this guide will help you a lot.
FAQ
Will bleach kill weeds on my driveway?
Yes, bleach will kill the weeds on your driveway permanently.
Does Clorox bleach kill weeds?
Yes, Clorox bleach can help an individual in killing the weeds and it will also control them. It would be good for you to use this.
What happens if you put bleach on your lawn?
When you put bleach on your lawn, it becomes acidic and soil starts to spread into the chlorine gas. The light will make the bleach on the soil so that it becomes weaker.
I am usually trying new strategies to increase the success of new plants in the Garden, I try my best to publish those on Gardening Hood as soon as possible.
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