With the questionable nature around the safety of some synthetic weed killers, homeowners are right to weigh their options carefully. And many are doing just that.

While some have found safe, synthetic products like those offered by Weed Pro, others have turned to organic weed killers. In fact, you’ve probably seen some of these popular DIY products being advertised on your Facebook timeline.

But are organic weed killers actually safer than their synthetic counterparts? Surprisingly enough, the answer tends to be no.

Organic Weed Killer #1: Dawn Dish Soap

One of the biggest trends in organic weed killer is the combination of Dawn dish soap and water. Sprayed directly onto weeds to eradicate them, this mixture is often dubbed a “miracle cure.”

Beyond the fact that the recipe is not actually organic (Dawn dish soap is a synthetic product), the mixture can have harmful effects. While it does help dry out the leaves of weeds, it has no way of distinguishing what is a weed and what’s not. So if there’s cross contamination, the dish soap can remove the protective coating from the leaves of healthy plants and make them more susceptible to pests and disease.

Organic Weed Killer #2: Vinegar

Another item that’s popular as an organic weed killer is vinegar. In contrast to the vinegar that sits in your kitchen cabinets, the type typically used to kill weeds is horticultural vinegar, which has four times more acetic acid.

Because of its acidity, horticultural vinegar is dangerous to open skin, as high acid concentrations can burn your skin upon contact or cause eye damage.

But it’s not just the safety of the application that raises concerns; it’s also the impact it has on the soil. Using horticultural vinegar as a weed killer can lower the soil’s pH, which makes plants unable to absorb nutrients and leaves them in a weakened state.

Organic Weed Killer #3: Boiling Water

While boiling water may seem like the easiest way to get rid of weeds, it’s not without fault. For one, there’s a chance you could splash on yourself or on surrounding plants. And if the latter occurs, the extreme heat from the water can scald the leaves of other plants and even overheat their roots.

There’s also the chance that the boiling water can disrupt microorganisms in the soil — some of which are beneficial. These underground casualties can reduce beneficial bacteria in the soil and invite more opportunities for lawn fungus.

Stay Safe (and Effective) with Weed Pro

Concerned about the chemicals in your lawn care products? You should be. After all, the safety of your family and pets starts at home.

The good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice effectiveness for safety.

At Weed Pro, we use safe, synthetic solutions to kill pesky weeds. Unlike organic remedies, these products effectively eradicate existing and future weed populations, with positive results visible in just seven to 10 days.

Eager to learn more about our weed control services? Get in touch with your local provider.