Anyone ever substitute pool chlorine for weed killer

Michelle K linnane · May 24, 2014

Hi Guys
I have been spraying around the farm and used at least 80 gallons of grounds works from TSC I bought last year. I used so much as I do
it around my pheasants pens, ditches that protect my driveway, steep banks, around trees and side walks so the grass will not grow in
my parking area so it and on driveway areas any place hard to mow and needs weed wacking. For the first time this year I have done it
on the edge of my ponds I am sick of weed wacking and if I do not keep after it, the muskrats move in with cover from the high grass and
make a mess of pond banks in 20 years I have had the banks reparied 4 times and now we trap and try and keep them out by no cover.
What gave me the idea of this was using chlorine to sanatize my bird raising equipment my feeders and waters. Every year I raise chickens
ducks, and often use same equipment for pheasants and chukars. I normally bleach them but it would be easier to fill the waters and have a tub
and soak everything for a few days and then rinse. There is big area in parking area I want to kill of grass and thought perfect place to dump
the water when I am done. Then I thought has anyone ever used a pull behind sprayer to kill weeks with pool chlorine I know you can buy a
5 gallon pail in agway for about $15 and $6 deposit for pail. It sure would be cheaper than spraying weed killer and safer.

Has anyone done this before and what strength would you use, I want to mix it in 40 gallon pull behind so I would want to know how cups
for say 40 gallons sprayer?

forgeblast · May 24, 2014

Wondering how long the sprayer will last running chlorine through it....not sure if the parts are made to handle it.

motownbrowne · May 25, 2014

I'm pretty darned opposed to the liberal use of herbicides you describe. I understand that they have their place though. That said, please don't start making your own and using whatever chemical that is cheapest and isn't designed for use as an herbicide. Herbicides are specifically formulated to their job. If you want to spend less money on herbicides, maybe try using less of them.

Gary Fowler · May 25, 2014

Chlorine bleach in undiluted form kills living tissue DNA, so try experimenting with a gallon of liquid and a small amount of dry bleach (pool chlorine). When you get a good kill, then you can increase the dosage x number of gallons. I would think it would have to be pretty strong as I have never seen chlorine kill grass around a pool.
Chlorine would be safer than any other herbicide if you get it to work, but it would have to work fast as sunlight will neutralize the chlorine pretty fast.

Michelle K linnane · May 25, 2014

I would have to agree chlorine is safer then herbicides , but it kills different than round up would have to be very dry and at least 3 days of sun shine to get a good kill. The only thing chlorine will do is sanatize the ground. if it makes it down to water table I think I would rather drink that then herbicides. As far as sprayer goes you would need flush it good which I would think chlorine is easier to get out than a herbicide. Something to think about espically around electric fence.