The best method of killing weeds in your lawn without killing grass is to target the root directly. Extracting the weed by hand to remove the roots is the easiest, most efficient way to get rid of weeds naturally.
However, there are said to be many successful natural alternatives to try in place of chemical weed killers. "Salt can be quite effective at killing weeds," suggests Fiona. "Sprinkle some salt liberally over the weed and leave it there. This should kill off the weed within a few days. Salt is also great for deterring insects and slugs. Just be careful not to sprinkle the salt on the surrounding lawn and this could kill off some of the grass."
"Try a vodka solution," adds Fiona. "This method works best for weeds that get a lot of sunlight. Create a mixture of 1 part vodka and 2 parts water. Then, add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap to the solution. Put the solution in a spray bottle for easier application. "Spray the solution directly onto the weed and this will dry the weed out and kill it off. Be sure to avoid spraying the solution on the surrounding grass as it could also dry out your grass."
Alternatively, seek a natural weed killer. "Traditional weed killers contain harsh chemicals and pose a potential danger to your family, pets, and the environment," says Teri Valenzuela, at lawn care specialists Sunday. "These weed killers often ‘blanket’ your lawn with pesticides. In certain instances, they can harbor serious potential health hazards to both people and pets."
"At Sunday, we avoid the use of such chemicals. Instead, we utilize a combination of weed removal, spot treatment, and seeding to effectively manage weeds in lawns. Start the process by removing any large, standalone weeds larger by hand. For larger patches or smaller weeds, consider using our Dandelion Doom product. It’s a spot treatment weed control made from iron, designed to kill weeds and moss without harming your lawn."
"Once weeds are under control, introduce varieties of grass seed better suited to your lawn in any bare or thin areas, this will help to reduce competition from weeds long term."