Soda against weeds - how does the old home remedy work?

Soda against weeds - how does the old home remedy work?

What is baking soda?

Soda is the common name for sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3). In contrast to caustic soda, this substance is also suitable for consumption. Baking soda can be found in many household products such as baking powder or effervescent powder as well as in cleaning products. Another area of ​​application is cosmetics that you have mixed yourself.

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You can get baking soda in grocery stores, drug stores and pharmacies. Established brands are “Bullrich Salz” and “Kaiser Natron”.

Soda has a weakly alkaline effect and thus destroys weeds in a gentle way.

How is baking soda used?

The application is very simple:

  • Heat a liter of water until it boils.
  • Dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda, equivalent to about ten grams, in it.
  • Let the mixture cool down while stirring several times.
  • Fill into a spray bottle.

Spray the unwanted weeds several times. Keep a distance of about ten centimeters to neighboring plants so that they are not accidentally damaged.

If you only want to destroy individual weeds, you can moisten them with a hose and sprinkle a fine layer of baking soda on the leaves. This also works with weeds that have sprouted in the joints of the terrace slabs.

Soda, an environmentally friendly moss killer

If moss settles in the lawn or between the paving stones, baking soda is an effective remedy. Spray moss areas as described above. You can sprinkle the white powder thinly on paving stones, moisten a little, let it work and scrub off the moss with a brush.

Can I also use soda?

Soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate) and soda (sodium carbonate) are two household helpers that are often confused. The substances are closely related because both are salts derived from carbonic acid.

The small but subtle difference is in the hydrogen component, recognizable by the word “hydro”. Together with water, soda forms an aggressive lye. Soda is effective against weeds, but the milder effect of baking soda is enough to kill weeds.

What is caustic soda?

Concentrated caustic soda can burn skin and eyes as it is very strong. Caustic soda is considered to be poisonous to plankton and fish. The damaging effect occurs through the spontaneous shift in the pH value. Therefore, the product should not be used in the garden.

Tips

Baking soda also works well as a pesticide against lice and fungal infections. To do this, add half a teaspoon of baking soda to a liter of water and add a quarter of a teaspoon of grated curd soap. Spray infested plants and repeat treatment if necessary.