I am a professional gardener. Here you can read how you can remove patio weeds in an instant for FREE

IF you have left your patio or driveway untouched during the harsh winter months, there is a good chance that nuisance weeds have started to break through.

For anyone looking to spruce up their outdoor space in time for spring, there’s no need to use harsh chemicals or salt and vinegar to do so.

Although both common methods will help remove weeds, gardeners have warned how such products should be avoided as they can be toxic to pets.

On a gardening-related Facebook page, a woman named Sharon King asked, “Any advice on how to get rid of weeds between patio pavers? I have cats, so nothing poisonous.”

And she had no shortage of responses, with many urging Sharon to avoid using salt and white vinegar, claiming that not only can it damage pavers, but it’s also not safe around furry friends .

“Don’t use salt, it will destroy your paving and irritate your cat,” wrote one.

Another agreed: “Avoid using salt and white vinegar. I used it on my patio and had to replace a few pavers because of the damage.”

Cass Heaphy, the digital director of Paving Directalso spoken The Express and noted: “Do not use salt to kill weeds as this can damage the pavement.

“Not only can salt damage paving, it can also damage soil health and prevent future growth if used against weeds in other parts of the garden.”

Instead, garden enthusiasts revealed a quick and safe way to get rid of weeds in an instant – and it’s completely free.

The answer? Boiling water.

“I prefer to use boiling water,” wrote one enthusiastic gardener.

“It’s much better than the white vinegar and salt method because it works immediately.

“If you want to remove large weeds in the paving, it is best to cut them back so that the boiling water can reach the roots better.”

The experts at Gardener’s World also recommend using boiling water for anyone looking for a pet-friendly weed killer – adding that it’s “very easy, convenient and cheap”.

They noted: “Boiling water can kill weeds.

“This is a particularly useful technique on paths and paving where you don’t have to worry about nearby plants being affected.

“You can also use it on a clump of weeds in a border, but make sure you don’t pour it on nearby plants that you want to keep.

“Save energy by using the water you just used for cooking vegetables.”