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From their unique design to their warm interior, UGGs have become increasingly popular over the years. Chances are you might have even spotted celebrities like Katie Holmes, Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker wearing the brand's boots or slippers.
While these shoes may be durable, their sheepskin exterior is still susceptible to grease, water, salt and mud stains (the list goes on!). That's why we've put together this expert-approved step-by-step guide on how to clean UGGs at home.
According to Carolyn Forté, the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, you can't toss your UGGs in the washing machine. However, you can clean them with ingredients you may already have at home, including water, vinegar, baking soda and cornstarch.
FYI: If you're not a fan of using at-home cleaning solutions, UGG sells a shoe cleaning kit with easy directions to follow.
How to Get Rid of Water Stains on UGGs
Since the sheepskin lining keeps your feet cozy and warm, UGGs are best worn on cold, dreary days. Rain or snow, however, is sheepskin's worst nightmare, making your boots more prone to damage. If a select area of the boots gets wet, use a damp cloth to evenly wet the rest of the boots to prevent water marks or lines. But if you're too late, follow these steps:
- Blot wet areas with a dry cloth.
- Stuff boots with paper towels and let them dry away from direct heat.
- Clean as recommended with a specialty suede cleaner and damp cloth, if needed.
How to Clean Grease Stains on UGGs
According to UGG, grease and oil can be treated with a thin layer of cornstarch.
- Sprinkle some directly onto the spot (for larger spots, you can let the cornstarch sit for up to two days).
- Vacuum the cornstarch off.
Forté also recommends following this cleaning advice for suede shoes:
- As soon as the stain happens, blot them with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the spots and let it sit overnight.
- Use an emery board or Kiwi Suede Cleaner to buff the powder away.
How to Clean Salt off UGGs
As if rain and snow weren't messy enough, the salt from streets and sidewalks can leave an unwanted white hue on suede and sheepskin shoes. Before tackling the salt, Forté recommends dealing with the water stains first to prevent marks, lines or further damage. Then, before the boots dry completely, follow this step-by-step:
- Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. Using a cloth, dab the solution on salt stains.
- Rinse with a cloth dipped in water and blot with a dry cloth.
- Let dry.
How to Clean Mud off UGGs
And you thought rain puddles were the biggest problem. If the dirt patch you were walking through turned out to be a muddy mess, don't fret: Dried-on stains are much easier to remove than water and salt stains.
- Let the mud dry completely.
- Brush off as much mud as possible. If any remains, use a suede cleaner.
How to Clean the Fur Inside Your UGGs
After months of wear, the once-fluffy fur on UGGs can look matted and dingy. While you can't just toss UGGs in the washing machine for an instant refresh, there's an easy way to restore the sherpa back to its natural state. If an unpleasant smell from sock-free wear is your biggest problem, this two-step process will deodorize them, too.
- Sprinkle baking soda inside your UGGs and let sit overnight.
- Vacuum or brush out the remaining baking soda.
Expert Tip: You can use the UGG Shoe Renew spray to deodorize the inside, as well. UGG recommends spraying inside the shoe after each wear to prevent odor. Let the inside dry before wearing.
How to Clean Other Tricky Stains off UGGs
Maybe you tripped and spilled coffee all over your sand-colored pair, or you somehow managed to drop a pen on your foot, leaving a noticeable mark on your blush-toned beauties. Whatever the situation, try this customizable approach to remove minor stains:
- Start by buffing away the stain with a suede brush, emery board, toothbrush or dry towel.
- If the stain remains, dab with suede cleaner using a dry cloth.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
