Dirty Girl’s Vinegar Blast is an organic, safe alternative to toxic, cancer-causing herbicides. As a gardening company, we were seeking a safe alternative to get rid of the tiny weeds that pop up in patios, brick or stone paths, within pavers, etc. We initially heard of the home remedy which consists of household vinegar, epsom salts and dish soap. The feedback from this concoction, however, is that it has minimal success, and only on the not-so-tough weeds.

The reason for this is household vinegar, the kind you would put on a salad, is only about 5-6% acidity. Dirty Girl’s Vinegar Blast, in contrast, is 30% acidity, so it works well on the weeds that seem determined to stay! The level of acidity, however, means it could burn or irritate your skin, so taking appropriate safety precautions is a necessity when using this product.

We also did what we consider to be the ultimate test of our vinegar…we tested it on thistle! And this was not just your average thistle patch…this was an area that had been left untouched for too long and was completely taken over by thistle, which spreads underground by runner roots. The thistle was taller than waist height when we arrived on the job. We cut the thistle down to about 2-3 inches above the ground, leaving at least 1 or 2 leaves at the base to absorb the spray. We returned to this property on a monthly basis for garden maintenance, and sprayed any new thistle that was popping up out of the ground as thistle does. (What we had sprayed was already dead, but new plants pop up quickly.) After about a half a year of spraying this area once a month, the thistle problem was finally solved!

We achieved the same great results with small patches of poison ivy as well!

IMPORTANT: Take safety precautions as directed on the jug. Wear gloves, safety goggles or glasses & protect your skin. Vinegar of this strength can burn or irritate skin. Wash immediately if vinegar gets on skin. Read detailed safety precautions on bottle label before using.

Test an area BEFORE using on patios or other hard surfaces. Could cause damage to pavers, bricks, patios, etc. Dirty Girl Gardening is not responsible for damage to property.

Dirty Girl’s Vinegar Blast

The reason for this is household vinegar, the kind you would put on a salad, is only about 5-6% acidity. Dirty Girl’s Vinegar Blast, in contrast, is 30% acidity, so it works well on the weeds that seem determined to stay! The level of acidity, however, means it could burn or irritate your skin, so taking appropriate safety precautions is a necessity when using this product.

We also did what we consider to be the ultimate test of our vinegar…we tested it on thistle! And this was not just your average thistle patch…this was an area that had been left untouched for too long and was completely taken over by thistle, which spreads underground by runner roots. The thistle was taller than waist height when we arrived on the job. We cut the thistle down to about 2-3 inches above the ground, leaving at least 1 or 2 leaves at the base to absorb the spray. We returned to this property on a monthly basis for garden maintenance, and sprayed any new thistle that was popping up out of the ground as thistle does. (What we had sprayed was already dead, but new plants pop up quickly.) After about a half a year of spraying this area once a month, the thistle problem was finally solved!

We achieved the same great results with small patches of poison ivy as well!

IMPORTANT: Take safety precautions as directed on the jug. Wear gloves, safety goggles or glasses & protect your skin. Vinegar of this strength can burn or irritate skin. Wash immediately if vinegar gets on skin. Read detailed safety precautions on bottle label before using.

Q: When should I apply?
A: For best results, apply on hot, dry, sunny days without threat of rain in the 24-hour forecast. Since the heat of the sun helps to “fry” unwanted weeds or plants, why not allow it to help!

Q: Should I dilute or use in concentrate form?
A: For tough perennial weeds, or for those with deep roots (such as thistle or dandelion), use in concentrate form. For most other weeds, the vinegar can be diluted 2:1 with water. Adjust the dilution as necessary for best results.

Q: How should I apply?
A: For best results, dedicate a pump sprayer as your “Vinegar Blast” sprayer. Ideally, this would be a pump sprayer that can handle acidic or corrosive materials. They are a bit more expensive, but worth the cost, as the seals and pump will not deteriorate over time.

If using a less expensive sprayer, wash the pump part of the sprayer after use, as the acidity of the vinegar will destroy the pump’s inner seal. Vinegar can remain in the base of the sprayer as long as the pump itself isn’t sitting in the vinegar.

Q: Can I use on large weeds or grass?
A: For best results, string trim, cut or otherwise reduce the size of the foliage you want to kill. A weed or foliage that has been cut down already has weakened roots, so applying to a smaller plant will have a greater chance of success. Plus, who wants to look at a giant dead weed?!

Q: Will horticultural vinegar have a negative effect on my soil?
A: You would have to spray vinegar heavily, and repeatedly (in the same area) over a long period of time for the vinegar to change the pH of the soil.

Q: Will vinegar hurt wildlife or insects?
A: Vinegar has no lasting effects once applied & absorbed by the intended weeds or plants. But it is a good idea to brush the area with your hand or a gardening tool first, to disperse any bees, insects, snakes or frogs, so they don’t get sprayed!

For extra sticking power: add a few drops of dish soap to the jug and shake. Vinegar will stick to foliage even without the dish soap.

You can find Dirty Girl’s Vinegar Blast at selected garden centers.

If the garden center near you does not carry it, ask them to contact us at (267) 372-4884.