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Ready to make the switch to an organic weed killer that's safe for the environment, your family and your pets? We've got you covered.
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An organic weed killer is a natural, effective way to eliminate unwanted weeds without relying on harsh chemicals like glyphosate. Made with non-toxic ingredients like vinegar, salt, and essential oils, they’re safer for kids, pets, and the environment.
Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, emphasizes choosing certified organic products with transparent ingredient lists. “Organic weed killers are free from harmful chemicals that could potentially infiltrate your soil or water supply… and don’t add to environmental degradation,” he says.
Ready to clean up your lawn safely? Here are the best organic weed killers for your yard and your family.
Best Overall Organic Weed Killer
Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer
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
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!”
Active ingredients: Acetic acid, sodium chloride | Application: Spray | For use on: All areas | Pet/kid safe: When dry
Best Pet-Friendly Organic Weed Killer
Natural Armor Weed and Grass Killer
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
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.”
Active ingredients: Acetic acid, sodium chloride | Application: Spray | For use on: All areas | Pet/kid safe: Yes
Best Organic Weed Killer for Lawns
Espoma Weed Preventer
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
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.”
Active ingredients: Feather meal, poultry manure, iron oxide, elemental sulfur | Application: Granules | For use on: Grass | Pet/kid safe: Yes
Best Smelling Organic Weed Killer
EcoSmart Natural Weed and Grass Killer
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
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.
Active ingredients: Rosemary oil, sodium laurel sulfate | Application: Spray | For use on: Driveway, landscape beds, patio | Pet/kid safe: Yes
Best Budget Organic Weed Killer
Sunday Weed Warrior Non-Selective Herbicide
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
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.
Active ingredients: Ammoniated soap of fatty acids | Application: Spray | For use on: Flower beds, patios, driveways, and mulched areas | Pet/kid safe: Yes
What to Consider for When Buying Organic Weed Killer
So you’re dipping your toes into the world of organic weed killers. Here’s what you need to consider:
Patience Is a Virtue
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.”
Be Cognizant of the Compounds
Even though these organic weed killers are organic, they can still contain harsh ingredients to which you, your family and your pets might react. Be cautious where you use them, how often you use them and even the level of exposure your family may experience.
Stay Vigilant
Weeds are an inevitable, recurring problem to deal with, regardless of the kinds of weed killer you use, organic or not. For the best results, stay active in combating your weed problem. One treatment is never going to stave them off forever. And there’s really nothing you can do to fight off weeds forever—they’ll always be back.
How We Found the Best Organic Weed Killers
We relied heavily on expert opinion and personal experience to help us select the best organic weed killers. However, those were not the only methods we used to craft this list. We also considered the greater gardening industry to ensure we were turning to tested, trustworthy brands. We considered professional and customer testimony to ensure our final list of organic weed killers was comprised of the best and most effective on the market.
FAQ
How do I know if a weed killer is truly organic?
Certified organic products are usually labeled with a badge from an organic certification organization. You’ll also want to look at the ingredient list to see what the product contains. A true organic weed killer will contain only natural ingredients, like vinegar, salt, or citrus extracts.
What’s the most powerful natural weed killer?
You can make your own natural (yet effective!) homemade weed killer by combining white vinegar, table salt, and dish soap. The vinegar and table salt dry out and destroy a plant’s leaves and the roots, while the dish soap acts as a surfactant, ensuring the solution penetrates the leaf pores instead of just sitting on top.
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), so pulling them is an inevitable part of maintaining a yard. 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.
Why You Should Trust Us
Mary Henn is a shopping editor and writer for Family Handyman, as well as a writer for Reader’s Digest and product tester Taste of Home. She has personally tested over one hundred products, including everything from outdoor gear and DIY gadgets to mattresses and vacuums. Furthermore, she specializes in home, garden and outdoor content, making her the ideal candidate to speak on organic weed killers.
We also turned to Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, a lawncare-focused brand that connects customers with landscaping professionals. He has two decades of experience in the landscaping industry, including plenty of expertise in herbicides (yes, even organic ones).
