Patio weeds can be extremely irritating, and can be dangerous too by making your deck slippery and hazardous - luckily, there’s a cheap and easy way to banish these weeds for good.

These pesky weeds can emerge for many reasons and are often tough and time-intensive to remove. However, the team at Lottomart have shared a "DIY weed killer" solution that makes tackling them easier.

They explained: "With the right approach, you can deal with those stubborn weeds effectively. This homemade weed killer, costing less than 70p per litre to prepare, uses just a few common household ingredients: white vinegar, table salt, and a dash of dish soap.

"You’ll need a pressurised sprayer for the best application, but this solution is highly versatile and easy to make," advises the experts. 

For a smaller batch, mix 500ml of white vinegar with 30ml of table salt and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid.

Once prepared, shake the mixture well to ensure it’s thoroughly combined for maximum effectiveness. They added: "For the best results, apply this solution on a dry day when conditions allow it to work at its best.

"Within 24 hours, you’ll notice the weeds wilting, and within 48 hours, they should be completely dried out. This fast-acting, hassle-free solution not only keeps your outdoor spaces looking tidy but also avoids the environmental and the expense costs of store-bought weed killers."

The solution works because of the acetic acid in vinegar, which dehydrates the plant's leaves, while salt disrupts water and nutrient absorption, effectively starving the weed.

Dish soap acts as a surfactant, helping the solution stick to the leaves for better absorption.

Applied on a dry day, the solution quickly penetrates the foliage, causing visible wilting within 24 hours and complete drying within 48 hours, offering a budget-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides.

It's a cheap, easy way to ensure that your patio looks fresh and clean - ready for all your summer parties in the new year.