Ugg boots are sheepskin boots that originated in Australia. They’re soft, cozy and very popular. But like anything we wear on our feet, they can get smelly, dirty and stained. We’ll teach you how to clean Ugg boots — but first, make sure yours are real.
Our tips are for sheepskin boots, not synthetic knock-offs. To tell if you have a fake pair of Ugg boots, check if the lining can be separated from the outside of the boots. If so, unfortunately, the uggs are fake. In real uggs, the interior and exterior of the boots are connected.
Key Takeaways
- Gently brush and dampen the outside of Ugg boots before applying suede cleaning solution, then wipe and air dry for 24 hours.
- Clean the inside of Ugg boots with a non-bleach disinfectant, antifungal spray, and baking soda to remove odors.
- Avoid putting Ugg boots in the washing machine, and use alternative methods like vinegar or Dawn dish soap for specific stains.
- Protect Ugg boots by using a water and stain repellent spray, avoiding soaking and direct heat, and always wearing socks.
Why Do My Uggs Smell So Bad?
Uggs are designed to keep your feet warm. They use sheepskin to do so. It’s no wonder that your feet will sweat in such warm shoes. When sweat and water from weather elements mix in dark wet shoes, this becomes the ideal environment for bacteria and fungus to breed (1).
Can You Clean Ugg Boots at Home?
Just because your Ugg boots are smelly, or rocking some stubborn stains, doesn’t mean you need to take them to a professional shoe cleaner just yet. You can definitely clean your Ugg boots at home.
How to Clean Ugg Boots at Home
If you’re planning on cleaning your Ugg boots at home, we have great tips!
How to Clean the Outside of Your Ugg Boots
What You Need
- A shoe brush.
- Two sponges or two cloths.
- A suede cleaner.
Instructions
- Brush the entire exterior of the shoe using the shoe brush. Start at the top and work your way to the front of the shoe. This softens the shoe and loosens dirt to prepare it for cleaning.
- Dip a cloth or sponge in cool clean water and wet the entire exterior of the shoe so it is slightly damp.
- Next, dilute the suede cleaner as directed.
- Dip a cloth or sponge into the solution and apply it to the entire exterior of the shoes.
- Wet a clean cloth in clean water to rinse the cleaning solution from the boots.
- Now the boots should be clean! But they need to dry. Stuff the shoes with newspaper so when they dry, they keep their shape.
- Leave to dry for 24 hours. Don’t leave them near any heat sources or in the sun. Heat can warp your Ugg boots (2).
- Once the boots are fully dry, brush them gently with your shoe brush again to smooth out the material.
Warning
How to Clean the Inside of Your Ugg Boots
What You Need
- A non-bleach disinfectant, such as Lysol or Pine-Sol.
- Two cloths.
- An antifungal spray.
- One cup of baking soda.
- A vacuum.
Instructions
- Make a cleaning solution with your chosen disinfectant and water.
- Dip a cloth into the solution and wipe down the inside of the boots.
- If you have fungus in the boots, spray a cloth with your antifungal spray. Rub it gently inside the boot’s interior.
- Leave to completely dry for 24 hours.
- If odor remains, sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into each boot and let it sit overnight.
- Empty out the baking soda and vacuum out whatever remains.
FAQs on Cleaning Uggs
Can You Clean Uggs With Baking Soda?
As mentioned, baking soda is great for getting rid of odors in boots. But if you’re tackling stains, baking soda can also help, specifically for grease and oil stains.
- Blot the stain with a clean cloth to absorb surface liquid.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the stain.
- After a few hours, use a shoe brush to gently wipe the baking soda away.
- Repeat if necessary.
Does White Vinegar Clean Uggs?
Yes! If you prefer, you can use distilled white vinegar to clean the exterior of the Ugg boots. This would replace the suede cleaner. Vinegar is a more natural way to clean your boots and it’ll save you some money.
Simply mix together one part water and one part vinegar. Use the solution as directed in our previous step by step guide, replacing the suede cleaner with vinegar.
Can You Put Ugg Boots in the Washing Machine?
Nope — definitely not. It can be tempting to toss your shoes in the washing machine and let it do all the work. However, because Ugg boots are expensive, made of suede and sheepskin, we definitely don’t recommend it.
Top Tip
How Do You Clean Mud off Uggs?
Mud stains are actually some of the easiest stains to remove from Ugg boots. First, let the mud completely dry. Then use your shoe brush to brush the mud from the shoe. If a stain remains, use your suede cleaner or vinegar solution to wipe it away.
How Do You Clean Salt off Uggs?
Salt is a typical stain to get on your Ugg boots, especially in the winter time.
- Mix one cup of water with one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar.
- Saturate a cloth or cotton ball in the solution.
- Blot the salt stain. The vinegar will help to dissolve the salt.
- Soak a separate cloth in cool clean water and wipe the entire boot. This will prevent the Uggs from drying with the water stains.
- Stuff newspaper into the boot so that it keeps its shape while it dries.
- Air dry completely away from a heat source and not in direct sunlight.
Can You Use Dawn Dish Soap on Uggs?
If you have a tough stain, like grease or grime, then you can use a tiny bit of Dawn dish soap to remove it. Use a teaspoon of dish soap and a cold wet cloth to blot the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing away.
If you’re able to find a conspicuous area of the suede to test, that would be ideal. The last thing you want on your Ugg boots is a new stain!
How Do You Clean Water Stains off Uggs?
Rain and snow can easily stain your Ugg boots and make them look really dirty. If one part of your boot gets a water stain, you’ll have to clean the entire shoe. But don’t worry — it’s really easy!
- Dampen a cloth with cool, clean water.
- Wet the entire boot so that it’s evenly wet, but not soaking.
- Stuff newspaper inside the boot so that it keeps its shape while it dries. If you don’t have newspapers, then a clean light-colored cloth will work, too.
- Let air dry for 24 hours away from a heat source and out of direct sunlight.
How to Protect Your Ugg Boots
The best way to keep your Ugg boots in mint condition is to protect them. Preventative care is key when buying expensive products, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Here are our top tips:
- Invest: Invest in the Ugg care kit. It comes with a protector spray to protect your shoes from weather elements such as rain, sleet and snow.
- Repel: You can also get a water and stain repellent spray which will protect your shoes from water, salt and mud stains. Spray this onto your shoes every couple of weeks. It’s best to do it at night so it can completely dry overnight.
- Don’t soak: Don’t ever let your Ugg boots get completely soaked. If there’s a forecast of heavy rain, wear some other shoes. If the Uggs do get soaked, they can lose their shape and strength.
- Don’t heat: Don’t let your Ugg boots come into direct contact with heat sources such as radiators or get too close to a bonfire. In fact, leaving them in the sun can also be harmful, causing them to warp.
- Store properly: When putting your Ugg boots away for the summer, give them a good clean beforehand. But make sure to let them dry thoroughly before storing them. When storing them, stuff a clean white cloth in each shoe and lay them on their side in a shoebox to preserve the shape.
- Choose wisely: Choose wisely when you’ll wear your Ugg boots. Although they’re cozy and great for cold winters, they’re not suited for long hikes or trekking through the snow. They’re stylish pieces, intended to be worn on cold days when you’re doing chilled activities. Keep them for shopping, going out for dinners, meeting up with friends, or visiting the bookstore.
- Always wear socks: Sweaty feet is normal when it comes to Uggs; they’re super warm shoes. That’s why it’s important to wear socks. Socks protect the fur lining of the boots from getting too damp and smelly.
- Refresh: Refresh your shoes after every wear. You can use the Ugg cleaning kit for this, or sprinkle a bit of baking soda into the lining every couple of wears. This will keep odors at bay.
- Hire a cleaning service: If you’re still struggling to keep the Uggs clean, then hire a cleaning service to renew the shoes. Make sure they have experience in cleaning sheepskin shoes though!
Don’t Let Your Uggs Get Ugly
Nobody wants that, so learn how to clean Ugg boots. Ugg boots are a luxury investment and they should be treated with care. Always make sure to tackle stains as soon as possible so they don’t set.
But with our tips, you’ll be able to get mud, salt, water, grease and grime stains out with no problem!
