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5 Best Organic Weed Killers That Are Safe for the Yard, According to an Expert
Updated on Oct. 01, 2024
An organic weed killer is one of the most effective, natural ways to eradicate weeds from your lawn, garden or outdoor space.
Killing weeds is a yard maintenance task you don’t want to neglect, and the best organic weed killers are made without toxic chemicals like glyphosate. Instead, they feature natural components such as vinegar, essential oils or an herbicidal soap solution.
Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, has two decades of landscaping industry experience and knows a thing (or two) about herbicides.
“It’s essential to use an organic weed killer,” Clayton explained.
But how do you know if weed killer is truly organic?
“Certified organic products typically display a logo from an organic certification body,” Clayton explains. “You should also look for a comprehensive list of ingredients. I’ve found that organic weed killers generally contain only natural ingredients, like vinegar, salt, or citrus extracts.”
While there are multiple ways to learn how to eliminate weeds, employing a weed killer that’s safe for use around kids, pets and outdoor vegetation is a game changer. Not only are they safer for your family and pets, but “they are free from harmful chemicals that could potentially infiltrate your soil or water supply… and don’t add to environmental degradation,” Clayton says.
Here are the best organic weed killers that are safe for your yard, family and fur babies.
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Best Overall Organic Weed Killer
Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer
According to the manufacturer, Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer can eliminate any type of common weed in less than 24 hours. It’s made from ethanol distilled from corn grain and contains 20% acetic acid, making it four times more effective than traditional table vinegar.
“There are no toxic chemicals in this formula, which removes weeds from various outdoor surfaces, including driveways, sidewalks and mulch beds,” Clayton says. “It’s certified for organic use and is a pet-safe option. I’ve observed that it works swiftly and effectively.”
More than 12,000 Amazon reviewers agree and love this natural weed killer for its affordable price and fast-acting, effective weed-killing.
“This is the only product we use for killing weeds!” writes verified Amazon reviewer Rita. “Natural and organic … and kills weeds within a day. Plus, you can dilute to 10 percent from the 20 percent vinegar to stretch it out!”
Pros
- Fast-acting
- Ready to use spray container
- Free of toxic chemicals like glyphosate, sulfates, bleach or fluorine
- Effectively removes weeds from multiple outdoor surfaces
- Affordable price point
- OMRI-certified
- Thirty-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Some reviewers found this solution requires consistent use to fully remove stubborn weeds
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Best Pet-Friendly Organic Weed Killer
Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer
Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer is an all-natural concentrated formula that works on 250-plus types of weeds and grasses. It’s safe on nearly all outdoor surfaces where weeds are present, like flower beds, shrubs, trees, driveways and patios.
The ready-to-use product requires no mixing or diluting. Simply spray and watch the weeds wither. For best results, use during sunny hours.
“I wish I took before and after photos because it was truly impressive how well this product worked,” writes verified Amazon reviewer Terri.
“We had a few different kinds of weeds sprout up in our backyard and we were sick of spending tons of time pulling them out one by one. I didn’t want to use any big brand sprays with fear that our dogs may get sick. I sprayed this on the weeds and saw a difference within a few hours.”
Pros
- Pet-friendly
- Free of toxic chemicals like glyphosate
- No pouring, mixing or diluting is necessary
- Includes trigger sprayer
- Fast-acting
- Thirty-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Scent lingers for a few hours after use
- Some reviewers found the trigger spray attachment doesn’t work well, so they transferred the solution to a different spray bottle
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Best Organic Weed Killer for Lawns
Espoma Weed Preventer
Feed your lawn while also killing weeds with Espoma Organic Weed Preventer. Made from pure corn gluten meal, it’s safe for children and pets. We like that this product prevents weeds from growing while keeping lawns healthy and green. This weed killer has long-lasting nitrogen for a richer, thicker and greener lawn. So, its dual-action formula is a win-win for your lawn.
All it takes is two applications per year for this organic weed killer to work its magic.
“Some of my neighbor’s lawns have been taken over by crabgrass, as had one section of mine at this time last year,” Amazon reviewer Jane Discern explained. “However, after applying this product onto my lawn last Spring, the crabgrass has dramatically decreased, and I only had to dig individual, small clumps of crabgrass here and there, instead of large patches of the weed. It also reduced dandelions, and I read that, after a few years of application, the weeds will become non-existent, so it is now part of my Spring and Fall lawn-maintenance program.”
Pros
- Prevents weeds from growing rather than killing at the source
- Acts as lawn food
- Easy to spread
- Requires two applications per year
- Safe for pets and kids to play in grass after it’s applied
Cons
- Only works on lawns and large grassy areas
- Won’t kill already existing weeds
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Best Smelling Organic Weed Killer
EcoSmart Natural Weed and Grass Killer
Made with a blend of essential plant oils, EcoSmart Natural Weed and Grass Killer features a glyphosate-free formula that leaves outdoor spaces smelling great with a fresh scent, not a chemical odor. It’s environmentally friendly, so it won’t cause harm to mammals, fish and birds. It’s also completely safe to use around kids and pets!
EcoSmart Natural Weed Killer is non-toxic yet effectively kills weeds on or around patios, fences, driveways, walkways and concrete. It comes in a spray bottle, with no mixing or diluting required.
Pros
- Fresh smelling, essential oils scent
- Affordable price
- Glyphosate-free
- Ready-to-use formula
- Includes a 24-ounce spray bottle that’s best for spot treatments and small areas
Cons
- Some reviewers found this solution takes multiple applications to thoroughly kill weeds
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Best Budget Organic Weed Killer
Sunday Weed Warrior Non-Selective Herbicide
Sunday Weed Warrior is an effective, yet affordable organic weed killer. It uses herbicidal soap to kill weeds, mosses, grasses and algae. And it doesn’t leave behind stains, so you don’t have to worry about discoloring bricks, concrete or other lawn and garden structures. Simply point, shoot and watch unwanted weeds wilt.
Just be careful around lawns and turf, as it will kill just about any greenery it touches. This product is intended for use in flower beds, around patios, along sidewalks and in other similar places. It’s not meant to be used all over your lawn.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Includes spray attachment
- Works within 20 minutes of use
- Made with organic herbicidal soap that’s free of harsh chemicals
- OMRI-certified
Cons
- Not safe for use all over lawns
FAQ
Does vinegar kill weeds permanently?
Experts say that because vinegar is acidic, it will eventually kill most broadleaf weeds. However, vinegar will typically kill leaves before reaching the roots. Salt, however, dries out the weed’s root system. So, if you have an organic weed killer with salt and vinegar as ingredients, it should do the trick for more permanent weed removal.
Will grass grow back after vinegar?
The acidity of vinegar will temporarily scorch grass, but it shouldn’t kill grass completely. The same goes for weeds. Vinegar temporarily eliminates weeds, but they will eventually grow back from the roots. We don’t recommend this method if you want a more permanent solution.
Is a mixture of vinegar and Epsom salt a good weed killer?
As mentioned above, vinegar doesn’t do a good job of permanently killing weeds. Epsom salt is reported to do the opposite: it strengthens roots. Together, they simply will not rid your lawn of weeds permanently.
How to get rid of weeds forever?
There is no permanent solution to getting rid of weeds short of simply paving over them entirely (even then, they might sprout up from between the cracks). Because weeds are plants, their seeds are carried by animals, the wind, insects, etc. This makes weeds and their propagation somewhat unpredictable and definitely uncontrollable. Your best bet for combating them is to stay vigilant in your gardening.
