Salt

• Ordinary table salt is a natural way to dry up the poison ivy plant without using harsh chemicals. Fill a large, plastic bucket with 1-1/2 qts. water and mix in 10 drops liquid dish soap. Any type of dish soap will work as long as it is in liquid form. Add 1 lb. table salt directly in the soapy water and mix with a wooden spoon until the salt dissolves. Carefully pour the mixture into a garden sprayer and thoroughly coat the ivy leaves and stems. Reapply the treatment once or twice a day until the ivy dies.
  
  

Vinegar

• Pour equal parts water and vinegar into a spray bottle. If possible, use pickling vinegar because it has a higher acidic rate. However, white vinegar will work if pickling vinegar is not available. Add several drops of liquid dish soap to the vinegar-water mixture and stir thoroughly. The dish soap helps to break down the waxy coating, allowing the vinegar to penetrate the ivy better. Transfer the mixture into a clean garden spray and saturate the ivy -- leaves and stems -- thoroughly. Continue applying the spray to the ivy once a day until the plant wilts and dies.
  
  

Commercial Poison Ivy Killer

• Various commercial ivy sprays are available that use harsh and toxic chemicals to eliminate the problem plant. Choose a commercial spray that states on the label that it will work on poison ivy. Read and follow all directions and warnings before applying the spray. When the wind and weather is calm, coat the leaves and steams of the poison with the spray. Repeat the process as stated on the instructions of your specific poison ivy killer spray.
  
  

Considerations

• To increase the effectiveness of the homemade ivy spray, apply on a warm day when the sun is at its hottest. Furthermore, apply on calm days when rain is not in the forecast. If you come in contact with the ivy while applying the spray, immediately go inside and wash the area with soap and cold water. Warm water opens the skin pores allowing the poison to enter the pores easier. Never burn poison ivy to get rid of it. Doing so will send the poison into the air. Breathing in the smoke from the burning ivy can cause serious harm and even send people to the hospital.