Keen gardeners have revealed the kitchen staple they say is “better” than white vinegar when it comes to banishing pesky gravel weeds.

Gravel paths and driveways can be a real eyesore when weeds start to take over, turning a neat outdoor space into an unruly jungle. 

The struggle to remove these unwelcome guests is all too familiar for many gardeners, but fear not, as green-fingered enthusiasts have unearthed a hack that trumps white vinegar and promises to zap weeds “almost instantly”.

And the best part? This miracle solution is likely already in your kitchen, reports the Mirror.

The ingenious tip was revealed by members of the Gardening Hints and Tips group on Facebook, following a plea for help from one individual plagued by persistent weeds on their gravel drive.

They posted: “I’ve seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing.”

I have a gravel-covered drive and can’t seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths.

“Would they work on the drive or is there something better? There are no other plants in the vicinity and it’s not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future.”

Group members swiftly chimed in with their suggestions for the poster, and while many endorsed white vinegar and salt as effective solutions, they highlighted something even better – washing powder.

One member shared: “I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me.”

Another chimed in: “I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water.”

A third member extolled the virtues of washing powder’s quick action, remarking: “Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly.”

For those who already use washing powder for their laundry, this solution is readily available at home. However, if you’re accustomed to using pods or liquid detergent, you’ll need to grab some powdered form.

This can be easily added to your shopping cart during your regular supermarket visit, with prices starting at just £3.

Gardening expert Tom Clifford from Gardenstone has previously shared with Ideal Home a nifty trick for those looking to avoid harsh chemicals: “Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it’s made from delicate stone.

Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn’t harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds. In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers.”

It contains the plant-toxic substance boron, can be used as an effective weed killer. However, caution is advised as it can also harm desirable plants.

To apply, simply sprinkle washing powder over the affected area and douse with boiling water.