5 Best Organic Weed Killers That Are Safe for the Yard, According to an Expert (2024)

Home Outdoors Lawn

Updated: Jul. 21, 2024

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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 likeglyphosate, 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

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

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

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

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

What to Consider for When Buying Organic Weed Killer

When shopping for organic weed killers, Clayton says, “It’s essential to remember that organic weed killers might take a bit longer to show results compared to their chemical counterparts.” So, if you don’t see immediate results, don’t give up—your patience will pay off in the long run. “The environmental benefits and safety outweigh this minor inconvenience,” Clayton says, “and that’s something I always remind my clients.”

How We Found the Best Organic Weed Killers

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

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.

Originally Published: July 26, 2019