Weeds can be a real pain to remove from your patio, but one expert has shared a simple and free solution that will help you get rid of them in minutes – and it’s all thanks to your kettle
Weeds can really ruin the look of your patio and gravel areas.
Garden lovers are always on the lookout for tips to banish weeds, but be aware that some methods might harm your garden’s ecosystem or damage your beloved plants.
Patio pro Simon Wardle from Armstrong Cheshire has a word of caution about using white vinegar on weeds: “This is not always advisable, as the acid can damage the surface of the stones, particularly limestone or concrete pavers, as well as being harmful to wildlife and plants.”
Instead, Simon suggests a brilliant tip that’s ideal for tea and coffee aficionados – simply pour boiling water from your kettle over the weeds as the “perfect solution”. No matter if the weeds are old or new, Simon assures that this simple trick “will remove unsightly weeds from your patio this summer – for free”.
He said: “This targeted method not only means your patio will end up weed-free, but it ensures there’s no damage to your patio, or the environment, as there is no leftover residue left around. You should start to see results in minutes as the boiling water breaks down the weed – with full results in hours.”
Just fill your kettle, bring it to a boil, and you’re ready to go, reports the Express. Carefully carry your closed kettle to the patio and as close to the weeds as you can use the spout to aim directly, slowly drenching the weed fully. Simon instructed gardeners to “wait for the magic to happen” as results appear “in minutes”. Make sure to repeat at the earliest sign of any future weeds.
So why is this hack so effective? Well, the hot water “scalds the weeds by killing the leaves” which is what gathers light to help the weeds grow and remain strong. The expert added that the hot water can get into any cracks helping to dislodge and stun the taproot. While this method is effective on patio, driveway and gravel weeds, there are two areas to never use boiling water on.
Simon urged gardeners to avoid using boiling water on lawn weeds as it “will kill” it. The high temperature often removes protective layers on the leaves and can even affect their roots with repeated exposure. Gardeners also need to avoid pouring the solution on weeds near their garden plants. Hot water can damage the portions of other plants that it comes into contact with, especially when they’re still young.
