The kind of vinegar that kills weeds most effectively is vinegar with a high concentration of acetic acid, typically known as horticultural or industrial- strength vinegar. Here are the key points:

• Household vinegar usually contains about 5% acetic acid. It can kill young, tender weeds but is generally less effective on mature or deep-rooted weeds

• Horticultural vinegar contains 10% to 20% acetic acid and is more effective at killing a wider range of weeds, including tougher broadleaf weeds and grasses. It is commonly sold as a natural herbicide

• Industrial-strength vinegar with 20% to 30% (or even higher) acetic acid is very effective at killing even mature and perennial weeds. However, it is more hazardous to handle and usually used in agricultural or professional settings

For DIY weed killing, a common homemade recipe involves mixing household vinegar (5% acetic acid) with salt and dish soap to enhance effectiveness, but this works best on young weeds and may require repeated applications

. Safety note: Higher concentration vinegars can cause skin and eye irritation and should be handled with protective gear

. In summary, to kill weeds effectively, use horticultural vinegar (10-20% acetic acid) or stronger industrial-strength vinegar (20-30% acetic acid), while household vinegar (5%) is only suitable for very young weeds