Since first becoming a cold-weather staple in the early 2000s, UGG boots have remained part of everyday winter dressing, regularly styled with everything from leggings to relaxed jeans.
Their suede exterior and soft sheepskin lining make them especially comfortable in cold weather, but those same materials also readily absorb water, salt, and everyday dirt.
🧼 Jump to a Step:
- 1. Tools Needed for Cleaning UGG Boots
- 2. Brush and Spot-Treat Before Washing
- 3. Machine Washing UGG Boots: Use With Caution
- 4. How to Hand-Wash UGG Boots Safely
- 5. How to Dry UGG Boots Without Shrinking Them
- 6. Restore, Deodorize, and Protect After Drying
- 7. Extra Care Tips to Keep UGG Boots Looking Newer Longer
This guide explains how to clean UGG boots at home without damaging the suede or shrinking the sheepskin. Whether your pair has light scuffs, darker stains, or flattened suede from everyday wear, the goal is to restore the texture and shape while helping the boots last longer.
From heavily stained suede to restored sheepskin boots, proper cleaning can dramatically improve the texture, color, and overall appearance of well-worn UGGs
Before getting started, it’s worth knowing that suede and sheepskin react differently to water than standard leather.
Using too much heat, soaking the boots, or scrubbing too aggressively can permanently change the texture. These cleaning steps are designed to remove dirt while protecting the material and helping the boots keep their original shape.
Follow these steps to safely clean, dry, deodorize, and protect your UGG boots at home.
1. Tools Needed for Cleaning UGG Boots
- Leather cleaner and conditioner
- Water
- Soft cloth or sponge
- A boot stand for drying or any of the following: paper towels, a rolled-up towel, blank newsprint paper, or cardboard
- Soft-bristle brush, such as a lint, nubuck, or suede brush
- Baking soda
- Corn flour or plain white chalk for oil stains
- Wide-tooth comb or a clean hairbrush for restoring matted shearling lining
- Waterproof spray, stain repellent spray, or both
2. Brush and Spot-Treat Before Washing
Using a soft-bristled brush, remove any loose dirt from the boots. Brush only in one direction to remove the scuff marks.
Use a suede brush and brush in a single direction to restore the original appearance
If there are stubborn stains, you may use fine sandpaper or a nail brush to brush the boot’s surface. A spot eraser will also work on stains, especially for wax-based, oil-based, and old stains.
Pro Tip for Oil Stains: For grease or oil marks, gently rub plain white chalk over the stain and let it sit overnight before brushing it away. The chalk helps absorb oil from suede fibers without over-wetting the sheepskin, which can leave dark water marks behind.
For Salt Stains: Mix equal parts cold water and white vinegar, then lightly dab the affected area with a soft cloth. This helps break down winter salt residue without oversaturating the suede.
Use a suede eraser to gently lift scuffs and surface stains before applying cleaner, working lightly to protect the soft suede texture
Don’t miss UGG’s step-by-step protection and care video to learn how to clean your boots.
3. Machine Washing UGG Boots: Use With Caution
Important: UGG officially recommends hand washing only for classic sheepskin boots. Machine washing may damage the suede, shrink the wool lining, weaken adhesives, and alter the boot’s shape. This method should only be considered for heavily worn boots and is done entirely at your own risk.
Avoid Using: Bleach, hot water, heavy soaking, direct heat, or standard household detergents, all of which can permanently damage suede and sheepskin.
- Fill the washing machine with cold water only. Hot water can shrink sheepskin and damage the suede exterior.
- Use a small amount of non-enzyme liquid detergent designed for wool, suede, or sheepskin. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, or harsh cleaners.
- Set the washing machine to the gentlest cycle available, preferably a wool or delicate setting.
- Wash for only a few minutes to minimize water exposure. You may run a short spin cycle to remove excess moisture.
- Never place UGG boots in a dryer. High heat can shrink the lining, stiffen the suede, and warp the soles. Follow the drying instructions below instead.
- Wash UGG boots separately from other clothing to prevent color transfer, friction damage, or misshaping during the cycle.
4. How to Hand-Wash UGG Boots Safely
- Make a solution consisting of one part cold water and one part suede or sheepskin cleaner with conditioner. Conditioning is important because cleaning products can strip natural oils from sheepskin, leaving the suede stiff or dry after it dries.
- Apply the solution onto a damp cloth or sponge. Do not apply the solution directly onto the suede.
- Using small circular motions, gently scrub the solution onto the surface of your UGGs. Do not rub or submerge your UGGs in the solution.
- For heavily stained areas, you may dab on a little more of the solution without soaking the suede. Be careful not to soak them through.
- Rinse with a new, clean sponge. You may also choose to wet the entire boot (still do not soak) to prevent water lines from forming while drying.
- Shake off any excess water.
Cleaning Platform or Clear UGG Styles: Platform soles should be wiped separately with a damp cloth and mild soap to avoid damaging the foam finish. For clear UGG styles or slippers with exposed shearling, use a wide-tooth comb or clean hairbrush after drying to gently fluff the wool lining back into shape.
5. How to Dry UGG Boots Without Shrinking Them
- Get as much water out of the boots.
- Hang them upside down on a boot stand to dry. If a boot stand is not available, stuff them with paper towels, a roll-up towel, blank newsprint paper, or cardboard. Doing so will return the UGG boots to their original shape.
- Place the UGG boots in the shade, away from direct heat. Direct heat will damage the boots, shrink them, and fade the color. Never use a hairdryer or a tumble dryer to dry UGGs.
- Leave the boots to dry for at least 24 hours. When they are about 90% dry, gently flex and massage the suede panels with your hands to help soften the material before it fully sets. This helps soften the material and prevents the sheepskin from drying stiff or flattened. Make sure that they have dried completely before storage to prevent mildew from growing.
For more information, check out our guide on drying wet UGG boots.
6. Restore, Deodorize, and Protect After Drying
- Once your UGG boots are dry, use a suede brush or a similar brush to restore the nap on their surface. Follow suede’s natural line when brushing.
- Deodorize your UGG boots using a mixture of 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of cornflour. Sprinkle the mixture inside the boots, let it sit overnight, then shake out the excess powder. For stubborn odors, place the boots inside a sealed bag and leave them in the freezer for up to 24 hours to help kill odor-causing bacteria without harsh chemicals.
- Respray your UGG boots with a water-resistant and stain repellent spray. Many newer suede protectors are labeled PFAS-free or non-toxic, which can be a better option for indoor use and long-term wear.
- After deodorizing and spraying, let your UGGs stand overnight.
7. Extra Care Tips to Keep UGG Boots Looking Newer Longer
- UGG boots should be treated right after purchase. If you plan to buy a new pair of UGGs, purchasing the protective spray along with them is worth it. This will lengthen the life of your UGGs and you’ll be able to get more wear out of them.
- Avoid wearing UGGs on rainy days and on days when the snow is wet and slushy. It’s best to wear a different pair of shoes when going hiking, trekking, or on a long walk – wearing your UGGs while doing these activities can get them smudged and stained.
- To lessen the time it takes to clean your UGGs, consider buying replacement insoles. That way, if only the soles get dirty, you only have to take them out and toss them in the washing machine.
- Your UGG boots may shrink somewhat after cleaning. Don’t worry, they’ll stretch right out after you wear them again. Also, if the sheepskin appears to have turned a different color, wait until it has dried out completely. This is the material’s natural reaction to water, and it should return to its original color once dry.
To make the cleaning process even easier, you can purchase the UGG Australia-recommended cleaner and conditioner, water, and stain repellent spray on Amazon:
UGG Sheepskin Cleaner & Conditioner and UGG Sheepskin Water and Stain Repellent
You can also consider UGG’s very own care kit, which includes a cleaner, a protector, a freshener, a brush, and a stain eraser made especially for sheepskin:
UGG Sheepskin Care Kit
Don’t miss this excellent video that shows how to clean your UGGs with the care kit!
Why Clean UGG Boots Still Belong in a Winter Wardrobe
Even after multiple trend cycles, UGG boots remain one of the most recognizable cold-weather shoes because they combine comfort, warmth, and easy off-duty styling.
From classic tall silhouettes to platform Ultra Minis, the suede-and-sheepskin boots continue to appear in celebrity street style, often paired with leggings, denim, oversized knits, and relaxed outerwear.
Once your pair is properly cleaned, dried, and protected, regular maintenance can help preserve both the texture and shape for many more seasons of wear.
👢 Explore UGG Boots in Celebrity Street Style:
- 👖 See how celebrities style UGG boots with jeans, from Mila Kunis and Heidi Klum to Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and Blake Lively.
- 🖤 UGG boots and leggings remain a classic off-duty pairing, balancing slim layers with the soft, rounded shape of sheepskin boots.
- ✨ The UGG comeback shows how the once-divisive boot became an It-girl staple again, embraced by Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber, and the Hadid sisters.
- 🤎 Jennifer Lopez gave platform UGG boots a polished athleisure spin, grounding a relaxed Los Angeles look with cozy height and structure.
- ☁️ Kaia Gerber made UGG Classic Ultra Mini boots part of her model-off-duty uniform, pairing the ankle-grazing silhouette with leggings, crew socks, and soft lounge layers.
Because UGG boots remain one of the most copied winter shoe styles, proper care also means making sure you are cleaning an authentic pair.
Details like uneven stitching, incorrect heel labels, thin suede, or synthetic linings can affect how the boots wear, age, and respond to cleaning products.
If you’re unsure whether your pair is genuine, see our guide on how to spot fake UGG boots, which breaks down the differences between authentic and counterfeit pairs using real product details and side-by-side comparisons.