How to Clean UGGs and Sheepskin Boots Without Damage

A new pair of UGGs is a Christmas gift you’ll want to wear long after the decorations come down. Knowing how to clean UGGs starts with gentle brushing, a cleaner suited to the material and careful air-drying. Of course, winter does not make keeping them spotless particularly easy. Rain, muddy pavements and road salt can leave marks on the soft outer surface, while regular wear can also leave the cosy lining needing a little attention.

Whether you’ve just unwrapped your first pair or are looking to freshen up an old favourite, a little care goes a long way. This guide explains how to clean UGGs and sheepskin boots, tackle water and salt marks, deal with smells and recognise when it’s time to ask a specialist for help.

How to Clean Sheepskin Boots: Check the Material First

Do not choose a cleaning method based on the logo alone. Check the care instructions and product description, including any guidance for the lining, trims and finish. This guide focuses on classic suede and sheepskin styles; smooth leather and other materials may need different products. Suede is leather with a soft, raised surface called the nap. Sheepskin combines the skin with its wool, so caring for the outside also means avoiding treatments that could affect the lining.

Use our Check, Brush, Clean, Dry checklist: identify the material, try gentle dry care, clean only if necessary, then allow complete drying.

Problem	Start with	Avoid
Loose dirt	Gentle brushing	Scrubbing wet mud
Water rings	Material-approved cleaning	Soaking the boot
White salt marks	Compatible salt treatment	Any remover labelled only for leather
Unpleasant smells	Airing and suitable lining care	Wearing damp boots

How to Clean UGGs at Home

Gather a soft suede brush, clean sponge, cold water, white paper towels and a cleaner approved for sheepskin or suede, as appropriate. Test a new product on an inconspicuous area and let the test dry before treating a visible section. Follow the cleaner’s instructions, especially if it needs dilution. For classic boots whose care guidance permits damp cleaning:

Start by letting any mud dry, then gently brush away loose dirt. Use light strokes and avoid digging into the boot’s surface. Next, lightly dampen the exterior with a clean sponge and cold water. Keep the surface evenly damp without soaking the boot or wetting the lining.

If you are using UGG cleaner and conditioner, apply it to the damp sponge according to the product instructions, then gently clean the exterior. Remove any residue with a clean, damp sponge, rinsing it as you work. Do not immerse the boot in water. Lightly fill the boots with white paper towels to help maintain their shape, then leave them to air-dry. Avoid packing the paper tightly. Once the boots are completely dry, gently brush the suede to restore its soft texture.

How to Get Water Stains Out of UGGs

If your boots are freshly wet, blot excess moisture with a clean cloth. Do not rub the mark or try to dry it with a hairdryer. Let the boots dry naturally before deciding what treatment they need. A darker patch while suede is damp is not necessarily a permanent stain. Clarks notes that light damp cleaning can temporarily darken suede, so judge the result after drying, not while the material is wet.

If a ring remains, follow your boot maker’s approved cleaning method. Where that method permits evenly dampening the exterior, avoid repeatedly wetting just the edge of the ring. It is best to photograph the mark before cleaning. Compare it again only once the boot is fully dry, so you do not mistake temporary darkening for a failed treatment.

How Do You Clean the Inside of UGGs and Remove Smells?

Start by airing your boots in a cool, ventilated place between wears. Put them on with clean, dry feet, and allow a damp pair to dry completely before wearing them again. For visible dirt inside, check the instructions for the lining. UGG Australia’s guidance starts with a lightly dampened cloth and plain water; avoid pouring water into the boot. If more cleaning is necessary, follow the maker’s guidance for an approved wool or lining cleaner.

For odour, a suitable footwear freshener offers another option. UGG Shoe Renew is designed for insoles: apply it as instructed, wipe away excess moisture and allow drying before wear. Do not pull out a fixed lining to reach a dirty patch. If it is heavily soiled or the smell persists after appropriate care, ask the manufacturer or a footwear specialist about the next step.

Dry and Protect Your Boots Before Wearing Them Again

Drying deserves as much attention as cleaning. UGG recommends 24 hours of natural drying after its Cleaner & Conditioner treatment. Allow longer if the boots are still damp; a stated drying period is not permission to wear a wet lining. Keep them away from radiators, fires, tumble dryers and direct sunlight.

Once clean and fully dry, apply a protector only if it suits the boot’s material and finish. Follow its instructions for ventilation, application and drying. Protector helps with future exposure; it does not remove an existing stain. For a Christmas gift, check whether the pair already has a protective treatment before adding another product. Keep the care information somewhere easy to find, rather than discovering the instructions after the first puddle.

When Should You Ask a Boot-Cleaning Specialist?

Ask for advice if a stain remains after one careful, appropriate treatment, the material looks damaged, or you cannot identify a safe method for the finish. Oil, ink and widespread staining also deserve a conversation before you try stronger products. Choose someone experienced with suede and sheepskin footwear. Send photographs, identify the model and explain what you have already used. Ask which method they propose and whether they expect a change in colour or texture.

UGG warns against dry cleaning its footwear. A footwear specialist’s assessment should therefore start with the manufacturer’s instructions, rather than treating the boots like a dry-clean-only coat.

How much does professional UGG cleaning cost?

Ask a footwear specialist for a quote for your particular pair. Describe the stain and share photographs so they can assess the work. Confirm what the quote includes, any delivery charges and the proposed method. Avoid comparing prices until you know each provider is offering suitable care.

Knowing how to clean UGGs starts with a little restraint: check the material, choose gentle care and give your boots time to dry. Whether yours arrived under the Christmas tree or have seen several winters, that approach gives you a sensible place to start.

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