A method of enhancing the geotechnical properties of soil materials so as to control soil erosion including fugitive dust by treating the soil with a mixture of polyacrylic acids or polyacrylates, a dibasic acid or acid salt and a wetting agent in water utilizes an aqueous solution of a polyacrylate emulsion, (said active polymer having a Mw of 1-5 million), sodium citrate and a surfactant (nonylphenol plus 10 moles ethylene oxide). The mixture is applied directly to the soil to be stabilized in either diluted or undiluted form whereby surface erosion in both quiescent areas and road beds can be controlled.