Paving expert explains why you should never use white vinegar to kill weeds – the ‘free solution’ that won’t damage your slabs

A PAVING expert has revealed why you shouldn’t use white vinegar to get rid of weeds on your patio.

Weeds growing between your patio flagstones can be extremely frustrating, and a popular method used to get rid of them is white vinegar.

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White vinegar is acidic and the acid breaks down the cell walls of weeds, causing them to die.

It’s also super cheap, and you can buy a bottle at B&M for 79 cents.

However, the expert revealed that you should not use vinegar if you have well-maintained patio slabs.

On some slabs, especially those made of limestone or concrete, the acidity of the vinegar can cause serious damage.

Not only that, but vinegar can cause gastrointestinal upset about pets for licking it off the slabs.

Paving experts Harpenden Block Paving have shared an alternative method for killing weeds that won’t harm pets or your patio.

They said: “A good way to kill weeds and prevent germination is to boil the kettle and pour the water between the patio slabs.”

Experts have warned that you may need to give the technique a few tries “until you have soaked all the weeds.”

They added: “Be careful when pouring the boiling water, pour from a short height and pour directly onto the weeds.”

Gardener’s World confirmed that boiling water is a great method for killing weeds.

It said: “It is a particularly useful technique on paths and paving, where you do not need to worry about nearby plants being affected.”

It’s also completely free, apart from the small cost of water and kettle boiling.

Another alternative to killing weeds is to use lemon juice.

How to Make Your Small Garden Look Bigger

Garden design expert Fiona Jenkins from MyJobQuote.co.uk has created a guide on how to make your small garden look bigger.

Add Shelves – for additional storage and place to store more plants.

Use folding furniture – to take up less space when not in use.

Add privacy – with fences, trellises, brick walls or roofs.

Add a water feature – to make your garden feel like a natural retreat.

Go bright – when choosing plants, opt for strong colors to highlight the space.

Use Large Planters – to get more plants in less space.

Plant vertically – add plants upwards to make your garden look fuller and therefore larger.

Use blue flowers in the borderss – blue flowers and plants disappear and make the garden look bigger.

Grow tall plants – it’s better to think big when it comes to a small garden.

Keep clutter to a minimum – as it can give the illusion of less space than there actually is.

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which causes weeds to wilt and die.

However, a good amount of lemon juice is needed.

According to Gardener’s World, you would need to use about five lemons to kill weeds.

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