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How to Clean Uggs: 7 Home DIY Methods for All Stains

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How to Clean Uggs: 7 Home DIY Methods for All Stains

Nothing feels more comfortable than a pair of Ugg boots. Firstly, these boots are ideal for different fashion statements, are lightweight, warm, soft, and easy to slip on and off. However, they are made with a delicate material that is easy to stain and tricky to wash without damaging. So, if you want to preserve your boots to outlast fashion, we tell you how to clean uggs.

Why are Ugg Boots Delicate When Cleaning?

Uggs are some of the most versatile shoes; they are great for all genders, you can wear them any time of the year, they do not limit your fashion styles, and you might even prefer to wear them in the house. Uggs are great for you in any scenario, but only when you can keep them clean.

The boots originated from Australian shepherds and got their name from World War I pilots who wore them in 40,000 feet altitudes. Since the shoes were made of sheepskin, these pilots called the comfy boots flying uggs, a polite and short name for ugly boots. Today’s Ugg boots still follow a similar manufacturing process.

Also called sheepskin boots, the footwear is made with a soft and warm upper consisting of a sheepskin suede exterior. The interior also has a fleece lining, while the sole is made with pure rubber. The exterior easily attracts mud stains, water stains, grease stains, salt stains, and scuff marks, among other unavoidable stains.

Now, unlike other shoes, you may need an Ugg cleaning kit for stubborn stains manufactured for cleaning this material only, and even with it, you will need to clean gently without scrubbing to prevent the nap integrity. If your boots have any stains on them, we share below some gentle ways you can clean uggs without damaging the exterior with marks.

1. How to Clean Uggs Uppers at Homeboots flying

When you have the best Uggs that you’d like to wear for a long time, cleaning them as frequently as you can will preserve their beauty and effectiveness. Here are six easy DIY methods you can clean uggs uppers at home.

a) Cleaning water stains

The one season you really value Ugg boots is during rainy or snowy days. Unfortunately, while you remain comfortable and warm wearing the boots outdoors, the environmental elements can leave nasty marks on your boots. The best thing to do is immediately use a damp cloth or wet sponge to wet the rest of the shoe gently. Wetting the whole shoe prevents lines and more stubborn water stains from forming, but you will need to let the shoe air dry. However, if you don’t wet the boots on time, you can still save their beauty with these supplies;

  • soft-bristled suede brush
  • sponge
  • ugg cleaner or suede cleaner
  • paper towels
  • cold water
  • soft cloth

With the above supplies, follow these steps to rid the water stains.

  1. Prep your boots. You will need to raise the naps and remove surface dirt particles for easier cleaning. Use the suede brush to gently scrub the exterior, but be sure not to exert a lot of pressure to avoid leaving marks.
  2. Evenly wet the boot with a sponge dipped in clean water. While at it, avoid drenching the shoe so it won’t take too long to dry.
  3. Rinse the sponge in clean water and use it to apply the suede cleaner.
  4. Rinse the boot with a soft, damp cloth to wipe the suede cleaner.
  5. Stuff boots with paper towels, so they maintain shape after drying.
  6. Leave the boots to air dry in a cool place away from direct heat or sunshine. It is vital to let the boots dry naturally to preserve the sheepskin suede.

b) Cleaning an oil stain

Ever find yourself wandering in the house in your ugg boots? If you also cook in them, there are high chances you might end up staining the suede with oil or grease. Here are the supplies you need to eliminate the unwanted stains in this scenario.

  • white chalk or talcum powder
  • suede cleaner
  • soft cotton cloth
  • water
  • a paintbrush, old toothbrush, or nail brush

Once you gather the supplies, follow these steps to clean uggs with oil stains.

  1. Apply the white chalk or talcum powder on the oil stain and let it sit overnight. The white chalk will absorb most of the grease, making it easier to clean the boot.
  2. In the morning, use the brush to scrub off the powder gently.
  3. Clean your Ugg with the suede cleaner, applying it evenly using the soft cloth.
  4. Dry the boots away from direct heat. It is best to leave them drying at room temperature if you want the boots to maintain their shape and beauty.

c) Cleaning mud

Have mud-stricken ugg boots? The cleaning process is easier than you imagine. You will need;

  • a suede brush
  • rubber eraser
  • suede cleaner
  • water
  • sponge

When you gather your supplies, here are the simple steps to follow to have your boots looking as new soon.

  1. Leave the pair of Uggs to sit overnight or as long as needed for the mud to dry.
  2. Once the mud dries completely, use the suede brush to remove most surface dirt. While doing so, brush in one direction to maintain the nap integrity.
  3. Then, use the rubber eraser to spot rub most insistent dirt stains.
  4. Evenly wet the stained area with a sponge dipped in cold water, but making sure not to drench the surface. You only need the area damp to loosen the nap so the mud particles can come off easily.
  5. With a wet sponge, apply a small amount of suede cleaner in a circular motion.
  6. When you are certain the cleaner has done its job, air dry the clean Ugg in a cool area. It is also important to avoid wearing the shoe before the area dries completely.

d) Cleaning salt stains

While you know how to clean elements like water or snow from your ugg boots, salt is the next road element you need to worry about. Salt stains will leave nasty marks on your sheepskin boots, but removing the salt is also manageable if you have already cleaned other elements.

These are the supplies you need;

  • soft cloths
  • water
  • white vinegar
  • nail brush or old toothbrush

Gathered all the supplies? Here are the easy steps to remove the salt stains.

  1. Mix equal parts of cold, clean water and white vinegar.
  2. Dip the cloth into the white vinegar mixture and wring most liquid.
  3. Pat or bolt the salt stains using the damp cloth. You need to be very gentle in this step as you don’t want to leave marks, plus the salt may also discolor the sheepskin material.
  4. Then, use another cloth dipped in clean water and rinse the cleaned area. When satisfied, blot the boots with a dry cloth.
  5. Leave the Ugg boots to air dry in a cool place away from direct sunlight or heat.
  6. When dry, gently brush the surface with the brush or toothbrush to restore the nap.

e) Cleaning other tricky stains on your Uggs

While some stains, like the ones above, are unavoidable in most cases, some others you collect as you go by your business will also need to be cleaned. Some other stubborn stains include tea spills, coffee spills, milk spills, ink, and more. Here are the main supplies you will need to clean most of the stains.

  • suede cleaner
  • damp and dry cloths
  • soft brushes
  • water

To remove the stains, try this simple method at home.

  1. Gently brush the uggs in circular motions to loosen the nao so the stains can come off easily.
  2. Use a damp cloth to collect most of the stain elements.
  3. If the stain persists, apply the cleaner in a circular motion to avoid upsetting the nap.
  4. Leave the Ugg boots to air dry before wearing them.

f) Cleaning scuff marks

When you wear your boots regularly, it is no surprise to notice scuff marks on the exterior. Luckily, you can remove scuff marks with simple supplies. However, if the scuff marks are too stubborn, it might be best to clean them off with a nubuck cleaner.

Using a suede brush or an old toothbrush, locate a scuff mark and gently brush it away. Ensure you follow the nap direction to guarantee uniformity once the scuff mark is gone. When you eliminate the mark, brush the entire napped surface to its original appearance.

2. How to Clean the Ugg Interior/ Fur at Home

While you will notice exterior stains so fast, the inside of your Ugg boots may take you a while to notice, but you need to have a consistent maintenance routine to prevent stains and smells. You know it is time to clean the fur once it appears matted and dingy. Here are the supplies you will need;

  • gentle liquid soap
  • baking soda
  • washcloth
  • soft brush
  • cold water

Here are the main steps to deodorize and clean the fleece inside your Ugg boots.

  1. If you notice an odor when you remove your shoes one evening, sprinkle some baking soda and let it sit overnight. Baking soda is effective when deodorizing the inside, so your shoes smell fresh.
  2. In the morning, remove the baking soda so you can start cleaning. You can brush it out or vacuum it.
  3. Dampen a washcloth, then add a generous amount of liquid soap to it. This method is better than mixing the soap with water; it allows you to apply the soap directly for thorough cleaning.
  4. Push the cloth inside the boot and scrub thoroughly. You can apply as much pressure as you need to clean any minor stains for the inner lining. If you encounter a stubborn stain, you can use a soft brush.
  5. Rinse the soap off. Do this by rinsing the cloth in clean water, then wring it before wiping the shoe interior. Repeat until the fleece lining is clean and back to its original color.
  6. Let the Ugg boots air dry to maintain their shape and beauty.

The Don’ts of Cleaning Ugg Boots at Home

When learning how to clean uggs, you must understand that you need to handwash them if they are made of high-quality sheepskin and not other synthetic materials. When you buy the best boots from Ugg, here are a few cleaning rules you need to follow;

  1. Do not toss them into the washing machine. As you noticed from our best cleaning methods above, you need to follow the nap direction when cleaning with water or a suede brush. Tossing your ugg boots into the washing machine will likely damage them, not only by not following the nap direction but also by using too much water that would damage the nap.
  2. Do not dry them in a boot dryer. Again, in a bid to protect the outer sheepskin material, you need to protect the nap from too much heat and direct sunlight. Thus, after cleaning, leave your boots to air dry in a cool, well-ventilated area.
  3. Avoid rubbing sheepskin with too much force since it would leave nasty marks.
  4. Do not drench your ugg boots in excess water, as it will be harder to prevent water stains or take longer to dry. Whenever you clean your Uggs, make sure you use a damp sponge or cotton cloth to wipe off the dirt or stains.
  5. Always brush off the dirt before using damp cleaning sponges. It is best to first remove most of the loose dirt before using water to prevent the spreading the dirt to other areas.
  6. Do not go puddle-hunting in your Uggs. Doing so will only expose your boots to more stains, not to mention water damage.

Conclusion

Have you been wondering how to clean uggs at home? Well, if you have a beautiful new pair that attracted a few stains, the cleaning process might be easier than you think. With just a few supplies, you will be able to have your boots looking new in no time, as we have shown in the seven different methods for different stains.

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About the author

Brian

Hi, I’m Brian Bradshaw. I’m a super duper mega hiking enthusiast, with a love for everything that has to do with outdoors, hiking, gear, footwear and more.

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