Quck answer
Using bleach to kill weeds in the driveway or patio is not recommended. While bleach is effective at killing weeds, it is also harmful to the environment and can damage surrounding plants and soil. Bleach is a toxic chemical that can contaminate groundwater and harm beneficial organisms. Additionally, bleach can cause discoloration and damage to surfaces such as concrete or pavement. It is better to use alternative methods for weed control, such as pulling weeds by hand, using natural weed killers, or applying herbicides specifically designed for outdoor use.
Weeds have a tendency to appear in various places, such as the small crevices in a driveway or between patio pavers. These annoying weeds can be quite difficult to remove manually, as the only effective way to get rid of them is to eliminate them completely, including their roots. While bleach can be used to kill weeds in areas where you don’t want any growth, it is not an ideal choice for the environment, as it eventually seeps into the soil, altering its pH level and killing beneficial microorganisms in the soil.
Using Bleach as a Weed Killer
Bleach is known for its ability to kill germs; people use it to clean surfaces and sanitize garden tools. It is also an effective nonselective weed killer, meaning that in high concentrations, it can kill any small plants, including the ones you want to keep. However, using bleach on weeds in the lawn, for example, is not a good idea, as it will also kill the surrounding grass and harm the soil, making it difficult or even impossible for new grass to grow there for some time.
Using bleach to spray on stubborn weeds in the driveway, between patio pavers, or on paved walkways may seem more reasonable, as there are no desirable plants growing in those areas. However, it is advisable to consider alternatives that are less harmful to humans and the environment. Bleach can also cause skin burns and is harmful to the respiratory system if its fumes are inhaled in high concentrations.
When sprayed directly on a small weed on the patio, bleach quickly starts to take effect, causing the leaves to wither and eventually killing the plant. However, the dead weed still needs to be manually removed from the cracks. One disadvantage of spraying bleach on a series of patio or driveway weeds is that it can bleach the surrounding pavers or concrete. If it rains later in the day or if you spray a garden hose over the treated area, the bleach water may wash off the driveway and reach the edges of your lawn or your neighbor’s lawn, killing some of the grass.
Removing Patio Weeds
While spraying a small line of weeds with bleach may not have a significant impact on the environment, it is best to explore alternative methods to deal with these persistent unwanted plants. If possible, pull them out by hand before they become unmanageable. Alternatively, you can use a narrow weeding tool specifically designed for crevices, which easily fits between paver slabs or within cracks in the driveway to help remove tougher weeds.
In urgent situations, pouring boiling water directly over the weeds also works. However, extreme caution must be taken to avoid splashing the water onto your feet. Squatting down close to the weeds before pouring the hot water onto them and into the cracks is recommended. The downside of this method is that it requires more than one kettle of boiling water to effectively scorch a large number of weeds. Another solution is to spray a mixture of 1 part salt to 2 parts water on the weeds, which kills them by dehydrating them. It is important to note that salt also affects the soil, so it should only be used in areas where there are no desirable plants.
