Weeds are simply plants growing in the wrong places, but they can be unsightly when popping up on the driveway or patio.

Not only can they become a slip hazard in the winter months, but they can germinate and grow very quickly, so it’s best to remove them as soon as they show.

While many people recommend using chemicals to banish them, this can be harmful to the environment and expensive.

Luckily, experts have found a cheap but effective way to keep stubborn weeds at bay, and it involves using salt.

Rock salt is often sprinkled on roads, driveways, and walkways before or after frost and snowfall to prevent the areas from becoming too slippery.

It is also used in cooking and baking, but one little-known trick is that it can also be used to remove weeds from gravel driveways.

The hack was shared by a customer at Rivar Sand & Gravel Ltd, who then researched how it works.

They explained: “Sprinkle a few chunks of rock salt on the soil surfaces at the bases of the weeds. They’ll begin dying from desiccation within several days.

“Use salt sparingly, and don’t count on anything growing there or in the area immediately surrounding it for years to come.

“Salt leaches into the ground land and essentially sterilises it, preventing vegetative re-growth.”

Apply a thin layer of salt to any weeds that are present on pavers, stones, and between driveway cracks.

The pros added: “It will kill any weeds or grass growing there and keep them away for years.”

Spreading a thin layer of salt on driveways and patios is effective as it will stay active for quite some time as long as it doesn’t rain.

If it does rain, simply spread another thin layer over any weed-infested areas you have around the home.

It’s important to keep the £1 item away from growing and blooming parts of the garden as it will kill plants on contact.

The experts noted: “It [rock salt] provides a very effective and quite frankly cheaper alternative to the mainstream weed-killing methods.”

Rock salt can be picked up from a variety of different supermarkets for as little as £1, and you’ll only need a little bit to keep pesky weeds away.