When you slip your feet into your favorite UGG slippers after a long day and suddenly smell that funky odor hitting you like a wall, your heart sinks. Those cozy sheepskin beauties get dirty fast from daily wear, spilled coffee, or muddy paw prints from the dog. The good news? You can make them look and smell brand new again in under an hour with stuff you already have at home.
Key Takeaways: Grab a soft brush, cold water, mild soap or UGG cleaner, white vinegar, paper towels, and a fan. Gently brush off dry dirt first, spot clean stains with a damp cloth and cleaner, stuff with paper towels to keep shape, air dry away from heat for 24 hours, brush the sheepskin again once dry, and finish with water-and-stain protector spray. That's literally it.
Why Your UGG Slippers Get So Gross So Fast
UGG slippers are made from real sheepskin and suede, which feels amazing but acts like a sponge for everything—sweat, skin oils, dust, pet hair, and outside dirt. The moment you wear them without socks, your foot sweat soaks right into the wool lining and feeds bacteria that create that lovely "eau de old cheese" smell. Add a little spilled wine or street salt in winter, and you've got stains that look permanent.
Most people make it worse by tossing them straight into the washing machine (huge mistake) or leaving them soaked in the sink. Sheepskin hates being drenched because the leather backing can harden and crack. Heat is enemy number one too—direct sun, radiators, or hair dryers shrink the wool and turn your fluffy slippers into stiff pancakes.
The trick is gentle cleaning that removes dirt and odor without drowning the natural materials. Thousands of UGG owners swear by the hand-clean method because it keeps the slippers soft for years instead of destroying them in one wash.
- Sheepskin absorbs sweat and dirt daily
- Never machine wash or fully soak
- Heat shrinks and ruins the fluff forever
- Gentle cleaning keeps them like new
Exact Tools You Need (All Cheap or Already in Your House)
You don't need fancy kits. Here's the perfect lineup: a soft suede brush or old clean toothbrush, UGG Cleaner & Conditioner (or baby shampoo if you're in a pinch), clean white cloth or sponge, small bowl, cold water, white vinegar, paper towels or newspaper, and a fan for drying. Optional but awesome: UGG Protector spray for afterward.
Skip anything harsh—regular laundry detergent, bleach, or dish soap will strip the natural oils and leave the sheepskin dry and crusty. If you can't find the official UGG cleaner, a drop of gentle wool shampoo works perfectly. White vinegar is the secret weapon for killing smells without any scent leftover.
Keep everything laid out on a towel so you don't drip on the floor. Work near a sink but never submerge the whole slipper. Having everything ready makes the whole job feel easy instead of stressful.
- Soft brush + mild cleaner = your best friends
- White vinegar kills odor fast
- Paper towels hold shape while drying
- Protector spray prevents future stains
Spot Cleaning Stains the Safe Way
Start dry: gently brush the entire slipper with your soft brush in one direction to lift dust and surface dirt. Flip them upside down and lightly tap the sole to get loose stuff out of the wool.
Mix one teaspoon of UGG cleaner (or baby shampoo) with a cup of cold water. Dip your cloth, squeeze until almost dry—you want damp, not wet. Lightly dab the stain in circular motions. Never rub hard; you're lifting the mark, not grinding it in. For tough mud or coffee, let the damp cloth sit on the spot for five minutes first, then dab again.
Rinse the cloth in clean cold water, wipe away any soap residue, and blot with a dry paper towel. Repeat if the stain is stubborn, but always keep it gentle. You'll watch marks disappear in front of your eyes without damaging the suede.
- Brush dry dirt first
- Damp cloth only—no soaking
- Dab, don't rub
- Blot dry immediately after
Killing That Nasty Odor for Good
Odor comes from bacteria partying in the damp wool. Sprinkle baking soda generously inside each slipper, really work it into the lining, and let it sit overnight (8–12 hours). In the morning, shake them out over the trash and brush the rest away.
For extra power, mix equal parts cold water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, lightly mist the inside (three to four sprays max), and let air dry. The vinegar smell vanishes in an hour but the bacteria die instantly. Your slippers will smell neutral and fresh—not like vinegar and not like feet.
Do this every couple of weeks if you wear them barefoot a lot. It's the cheapest deodorizer on earth and completely safe for sheepskin.
- Baking soda overnight absorbs everything
- Light vinegar mist kills bacteria
- Air dry only—never heat
- Repeat monthly for barefoot wearers
Drying Them Perfectly Without Shrinking
Stuff each slipper tightly with crumpled paper towels or newspaper the moment you finish cleaning. This keeps the shape and soaks up moisture from inside. Change the paper once or twice if they feel very damp.
Place them in a well-ventilated spot with a fan blowing room-temperature air across them. Takes about 24 hours. Keep them far away from heaters, hair dryers, or direct sun—heat is what shrinks sheepskin and turns fluff into felt.
When they're bone dry, give the wool lining a gentle brush against the grain and then with the grain to fluff it back up. They'll feel softer than the day you bought them.
- Stuff with paper towels immediately
- Fan + room temp air = 24 hours
- No heat ever
- Final brush restores fluff
Protecting Them So They Stay Clean Longer
Once completely dry, spray a light, even coat of UGG Water & Stain Repellent (or any suede protector) about 6 inches away. Do two light layers, letting the first dry 10 minutes before the second. Let them sit another 24 hours before wearing.
This creates an invisible shield so future spills bead up instead of soaking in. You'll literally watch water roll off. One can lasts years and makes spot cleaning ten times easier next time.
Reapply every few months or after a deep clean. It's the difference between slippers that look ratty in six months and ones that stay gorgeous for years.
- Two light coats of protector
- Let cure 24 hours
- Water beads up instead of soaking
- Reapply every season
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your UGG slippers isn't scary when you know the gentle method—brush, spot clean, deodorize, dry slow, protect. Do it once and you'll kick yourself for waiting so long. Your feet deserve cozy, fresh slippers every single day, and now you can give them exactly that in less than an hour. Go rescue your favorite pair right now—you'll be so glad you did!
| Action | How to Do It Right | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Remove dry dirt | Soft brush in one direction | Do this every week to prevent buildup |
| Mix cleaner | 1 tsp UGG cleaner + 1 cup cold water | Baby shampoo works in a pinch |
| Spot clean stains | Damp cloth, gentle circles, blot dry | Never rub hard |
| Kill odor | Baking soda overnight + light vinegar mist | Vinegar smell disappears fast |
| Keep shape while drying | Stuff tight with paper towels | Change paper if very wet |
| Speed up drying | Fan on medium, room temperature | 24 hours max |
| Restore fluff | Brush lining both directions when dry | Looks brand new again |
| Protect for the future | 2 light coats of suede protector | Reapply every 3–6 months |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I put UGG slippers in the washing machine?
No way—never put real sheepskin UGGs in the washing machine. The spinning and hot water destroy the natural leather backing, shrink the wool, and often crack the suede. Even the "delicate" cycle is too rough. Thousands of people have ruined $150 slippers in one wash. Hand cleaning takes 10 active minutes and keeps them perfect for years.
Is it safe to use a hair dryer on UGG slippers?
Please don't. Direct heat, even on low, cooks the natural oils out of the sheepskin and turns your fluffy lining stiff and matted. It can shrink the whole slipper half a size. Just use a fan or good airflow—takes longer but your slippers stay soft and comfy forever.
Do I need the official UGG cleaner or can I use something else?
You can totally use gentle alternatives. A drop of baby shampoo or wool wash in cold water works great. The official UGG cleaner is nice because it's already perfectly balanced, but it's not magic. Just avoid regular detergent, dish soap, or anything with strong chemicals that strip the natural oils.
Can I wear my UGG slippers outside sometimes?
You can, but every trip outside brings in way more dirt and salt. If you do, brush them off the moment you come inside and spot clean right away. Using the protector spray helps a ton because salt and water bead up instead of soaking in. Still, keeping them as house shoes makes them last years longer.
Is baking soda alone enough for the smell?
For mild odor, yes—baking soda overnight usually does the trick. For stronger smells (like if you've worn them barefoot all summer), follow with the light vinegar mist. The combo knocks out even the worst foot smell and leaves zero scent behind.
Do I have to use the protector spray?
Not mandatory, but you'll thank yourself later. One quick spray session makes spills wipe right off and cuts future cleaning time in half. Think of it like Scotchgard for your couch—it's cheap insurance for expensive slippers.
Can I clean the rubber sole separately?
Absolutely. While the top dries, wipe the sole with a damp cloth and a tiny bit of mild soap. For stuck-on dirt, use an old toothbrush. Dry with a towel—no need for anything fancy. Clean soles make the whole slipper look fresh.
Is it normal for new UGGs to shed a little at first?
Yes, completely normal. The first week or two, loose wool fibers come out—that's just excess from manufacturing. Gentle brushing actually helps it stop faster. After a couple wears and a light clean, shedding drops way down.