How to Clean, Wash, and Care For Ugg Boots

Uggs are fashionable, comfortable, and warm. But if you want them to last, you need to know how to clean, wash, and care for Ugg boots the right way.

Nobody wants to buy a new pair of boots, wear them for a few months, and find that they’ve fallen apart! Taking proper care of your boots is essential to make them last.

If you follow the guidance in this article, your boots should last longer and stay clean and sleek through many winters!

What Materials Are Uggs Made Of?

Uggs are classic sheepskin boots, featuring soft, smooth suede on the upper and warm fleece inside the boot. While this gives them a soft, stylish look, it does mean that it can be difficult to keep them looking clean and sleek.

It’s important to note that the materials Uggs are made from can withstand light rain or splashes, but it’s not designed to be waterproof. Like all shoes, they’re also not immune to dirt and abrasions.

In order to clean your Uggs properly, it’s a good idea to give them a quick clean every time you take them off, so that they never get to the point where they need to be really scrubbed!

How to Clean, Wash, and Care For Ugg Boots

Depending on the kind of dirt or stains your Uggs have developed over time, there are different ways to clean them safely. Here are the best ways to wash your Ugg boots.

Getting Rid of Dirt on Uggs

It’s easy to get dirt on your Ugg boots, even if you’ve never got them wet.

Here’s how to handle dirt and mud on your Uggs.

1. The first step to getting rid of dirt on Uggs is to make sure it’s completely dry. If your Uggs get muddy, make sure they’re dry before you try to clean them, or the mud may spread and cause bigger problems.
2. Using a suede brush like the Wilkins Suede Shoe Cleaner, gently brush as much of the dirt off the Uggs as you can. Make sure you do this outdoors to avoid dirtying the inside of your home. Also, make sure you brush in the same direction with each stroke, following the nap of the suede so it doesn’t get damaged.
3. If there are dirt stains, you can rub them out using a suede eraser or even a regular pencil eraser. Be gentle so you don’t damage the surface.
4. Gently dab water on the areas that were affected by the dirt. You don’t want to get the upper completely wet, just damp in the areas that need cleaning.
5. Apply suede cleaner like the Revivex Boot and Shoe Cleaner to the areas, gently rubbing it on the stain in a circular motion, or along the nap of the suede.
6. Allow your shoes to air dry before wearing them again.

Getting Rid of Water Stains on Ugg Boots

One of the reasons Uggs shouldn’t be exposed to water is that they tend to get stained by water.

If your Uggs have water stains on them, here’s how to get rid of them.

1. Get rid of any dirt or mud on your Uggs by following the steps above. Once you’ve done that, you can continue with these steps.
2. Dip a sponge in water and dampen the entire boot. Don’t soak the boot, just moisten it enough for the whole shoe to be damp.
3. When the boot is damp, apply a suede cleaner over the entire boot. If you don’t have a suede cleaner, you can also use a solution of water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio.
4. Use a clean, cotton cloth to wipe the suede cleaner off of your shoes. Make sure you don’t miss any areas.
5. Stuff the boots with newspaper and allow them to air dry. Don’t be tempted to put them on before they’re fully dry, or they may be at risk of damage or at the very least, discomfort.

Getting Rid of Salt Stains on Uggs

Uggs are warm, so there’s a high chance you may end up wearing them in snowy weather. However, snow can leave salt stains as well as water stains.

Here’s how to remove them.

1. Mix a small amount of dishwashing soap with cool water. There should be just enough soap to help reduce the stain—you don’t need frothy, bubbly water.
2. Dip a clean cloth into the soapy water and use it to gently pat the salt stains. Do not rub or scrub the stains, as this can spread them or cause damage to the suede.
3. Allow your boots to air dry fully before you put them on again.

Getting Rid of Grease or Oil on Uggs

Whether you happened to drop cooking oil on your Uggs or get motor oil on them, knowing how to clean grease off Uggs is important.

Here’s what to do.

1. You will need either white chalk or cornstarch for this to work. Sprinkle it onto the grease stains and allow the boots to sit overnight.
2. In the morning, brush the powder off of your boots using a suede brush or a soft toothbrush. The grease stains should be gone as the grease will be absorbed by the chalk or cornstarch.
3. Remove any excess chalk or cornstarch stains with suede cleaner. Apply the cleaner like normal and wipe the excess off with a clean cloth.
4. Wait for your Uggs to air dry before using them.

Cleaning the Inside of Your Ugg Boots

The outside is not the only important part of your Uggs. The inner fleece gives them a high level of comfort, but it’s also prone to becoming dirty and smelly if you wear them often.

Here’s how to keep the insides of your Uggs clean.

1. To combat unpleasant odors, sprinkle about ½ cup of baking soda into your Uggs and shake them to ensure it’s spread out. Leave this overnight and vacuum up the baking soda in the morning, which should have absorbed the odor.
2. To clean the fleece, dampen a cloth and add a small amount of soap to the damp cloth. Scrub the fleece gently to eliminate stains.
3. Using a clean, damp cloth, rub the inside of the boot to remove the soap that you’ve just cleaned with. Make sure you wring it out and rinse the soap off each time, so you aren’t just transferring it back to the inner.
4. Allow your Uggs to air dry thoroughly before you wear them. You may want to use a shoe deodorizer like Combat Cleaner to keep them smelling fresh.

Drying Your Uggs

You may be tempted to tumble-dry your Ugg boots, but this is highly likely to cause damage to the shoes. It’s always best to air-dry your Uggs, although this may take a bit of time.

If you want to speed up the drying process, you can stuff the Uggs with newspaper, which absorbs water and can help them to dry faster.

Fixing Scuff Marks On Uggs

Scuff marks can easily be brushed away with a suede brush or soft toothbrush. Make sure you brush the suede along with the nap of the material so the scuffs are completely worked out.

How to Protect Your Ugg Boots

We highly recommend investing in a shoe protector spray that’s suitable for suede, like the Moneysworth & Best Suede & Nubuck Protector. This will help to protect your shoes from water splashes, oil drips, and dirt, and also help to preserve the color of your boots.

You should note that protecting your shoes with a spray like this doesn’t mean you’ll never have to clean them. It will provide some shielding against the elements and dirt, but it doesn’t make the shoe completely waterproof or impervious to dirt.

You’ll still need to clean your Ugg boots regularly, but using a protective spray like this can significantly increase the lifespan of your boots.

What Not to Do With Ugg Boots

It can be tempting to stray from these guidelines to get your Uggs as clean as can be. But the materials are fragile, and can easily be damaged if you accidentally do something that can compromise their structure.

Here’s what not to do in an attempt to clean your Uggs. They may come out clean, but they’re much more likely to be irreparably damaged.

Put Them In The Washing Machine

The company themselves recommend NOT using a washing machine to clean your Uggs.

Remember, the material is not designed to withstand soaking water, so going through the washer is a sure way to damage the integrity of the boots.

While throwing your Uggs boots in the washer will make them look cleaner and smell great, they won’t last as long if you wash them this way.

Get Them Too Wet

Suede absorbs water, so getting your Uggs too wet may result in them having permanent water staining.

Whatever kind of cleaning you have to do with your Ugg boots, it’s best to use a damp cloth to dab or blot water onto stains, rather than pouring water directly onto the upper.

Dry Them Using Heat

Although you might want to speed up the drying process, the heat of a tumble drier, hairdryer, fireplace, or the sun can damage your shoes.

It’s highly recommended to place your Ugg boots in a warm space but not directly in the sun to dry.

If you live in a cold or rainy place, you can warm the room with a fire or heater, but don’t place your shoes too close.

Allow them to dry in the room’s heat, not by being close to the heat source.