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Need to clean your Ugg boots? Here’s a step-by-step guide
Here's how to care for Ugg boots at home if they need some TLC.
There's no denying it: Ugg boots are a girl's best friend when it comes to the colder seasons. They're stylish, comfy — and convenient to wear on a daily basis.
But when it comes to cleaning them, that’s a whole different story.
Wear and tear, dirt and extensive use are just a few unavoidable things that can cause your go-to boots to look a little worse for wear.
The good news? You don’t have to buy a whole new pair to get your trusty slip-ons ready for fall. Follow our simple steps for how to clean Uggs — and yours will be looking like new in no time.
Read more: Check out our favorite sneakers for women
The best cleaning solutions
How to clean your Ugg boots — in 6 easy steps
Ready to breathe new life into your worn-out boots? We’ll walk you through six simple steps to restore your beloved Ugg boots to their former glory just in time for the colder seasons.
Step 1: Gather your supplies
Cleaning Uggs requires just a handful of inexpensive products.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Suede brush
Suede cleaner spray
Paper towels
Microfiber towel
But if you don’t have these supplies in your home, here are the best products to add to your Ugg cleaning kit:
Cleaning dirty or ruined Uggs requires a gentle touch, so you’ll need a brush that is both effective and delicate. This brush meets that requirement.
Featuring a four-way design to reach every nook and cranny of your shoe, this tool lifts and removes dirt — even in hard-to-clean areas. Plus, with more than 10,000 customer reviews and a solid 4.5 rating, it's clear shoppers like it, too.
With the help of this spray, you can restore, condition, and nourish your shoes to their original condition. Best of all? It can be used on your Ugg boots, other shoes, jackets and more, so you're sure to get your money's worth.
Keeping a supply of paper towels at home is a necessity, so if you need another pack, consider adding this one to your shopping cart.
With double the absorption power, this mega-pack will be your best companion when it comes to quick clean-ups. More importantly, after hand-washing your Uggs, these paper towels can be placed inside your boots to soak up excess water and maintain their shape.
If you want to show your favorite pair of shoes some TLC, this microfiber towel is the perfect option.
You can use this super-soft towel to provide a final wipe-down on your shoes since its white color won't stain or remove any color from them. After using, you can simply throw these towels in the washing machine so that they’re ready to be used again.
Step 2: Remove built-up dirt and dust
Use a dry suede brush to remove any visible dirt, dust or debris from the outer surface of the boot.
Then, get a wet sponge dipped in cold water and wring out any excess water. Gently dab the outer surface of your shoes until they are completely damp; don’t fully soak your shoes at this point or you’ll risk damaging your boots.
Step 3: Apply suede cleaner
Use one spray of suede cleaner on a clean sponge and gently scrub the surface of the boots in circular motions. If some dirt remains after the first clean-through, use another spray of suede cleaner on the sponge and repeat this step.
Step 4: Rinse and wipe
Once all the dirt from the shoe is removed, rinse the sponge in the basin until all of the suede cleaner is removed. Using the same damp sponge, wipe along the boots in gentle circular motions to remove all the suede cleaner left on the shoe.
Step 5: Blot dry
Using a clean, white microfiber cloth, blot the surface of the boots to remove any remaining water. Then, add a bunch of paper towels to the interior of the shoe so that any water that has pulled through can be soaked up. This step helps the boots keep their shape as they dry.
Pro tip: Make sure to use a soft white cloth to avoid removing any color from your boots.
Step 6: Leave to air dry
After brushing, wiping, and hand-washing your boots, let them completely dry for about 24 hours and keep them out of direct sunlight.
Pro tip: Ensure your boots are completely dry before wearing them again.
Can you wash Uggs in the washing machine?
The short answer? NO!
Hand-washing your Ugg boots is preferable (and less risky) than throwing them in a washing machine.
Washing your boots in a washing machine can weaken the inner materials and even fade the colors, so it’s best to wash them yourself or have them professionally cleaned if needed.
A few extra tips and tricks
Every pair of Ugg boots and environment is different, so here are a few bonus tips for keeping your boots clean and smelling fresh.
Use a suede eraser to spot clean stubborn stains that might be missed by a large sponge or suede brush.
To get rid of odors, sprinkle one to two tablespoons of baking soda into the inside of your Uggs and leave it overnight. Then, tip out all the baking soda and wipe the inside of your boots clean.
If your boots get caught in the rain, blot the wet areas with a clean cloth and leave it to dry completely.
What's the best way to clean Uggs at home?
To recap, hand washing Ugg boots is an easy cleaning process that you can do at home in no time at all.
Looking for the TL;DR (too long, didn’t read) version? We’ve got you covered.
To restore your Ugg boots to their original condition, follow these steps:
Gather all of your cleaning kit supplies
Use a suede brush to remove dirt and debris
Use a wet sponge to dab the outside of the boot
Add one spray of suede cleaner onto the sponge and gently scrub the boot
Use a damp sponge to wipe off the suede cleaner
Wipe the boot with a microfiber towel and fill it with a bundle of paper towels
Leave to dry overnight
Voilà, your Uggs should now look as good as new.
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Prices updated on 09/21/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
A self-proclaimed ‘obsessed TikTok user,’ Lauren Pascal uses her knowledge to help readers shop for trendy new products. Lauren is also an experienced travel writer and recently wrote informative pieces for travellers during the pandemic.