When you step in muddy slush on your way to grab coffee and look down to see your favorite light-colored Uggs now looking like you walked through a swamp, your heart sinks. Those cozy sheepskin boots cost a fortune, and the thought of ruining them forever hits hard. Good news: you can totally clean Uggs boots at home and make them look almost new again without fancy products or a dry cleaner. Let's save your boots (and your wallet) right now.
You only need cold water, a soft brush, mild soap or Ugg cleaner, a clean sponge, paper towels, and a little patience. Start by brushing off dry dirt, dampen the boots lightly, gently clean with circular motions, stuff with paper towels to keep the shape, and let them air-dry away from heat. Do this carefully and your Uggs will feel fresh and soft again in 24–48 hours.
What You'll Need Before You Start
Grab these simple things you probably already have at home. First, a soft suede brush or an old clean toothbrush works perfectly to lift dirt without scratching the sheepskin. Next, Ugg's own cleaner and conditioner is the safest bet, but if you don't have it, a tiny drop of gentle wool detergent or even baby shampoo mixed with cold water does the trick. You'll also want a clean white sponge (colored ones can bleed dye), a bowl of cold water, white paper towels or a clean white towel, and something to stuff inside the boots like paper towels or newspaper to hold the shape while they dry.
Stay away from regular laundry soap, dish soap, or anything with strong chemicals because they strip the natural oils and leave your boots stiff and sad. Never toss them in the washing machine or dunk the whole boot in water—that's a fast way to wreck the glue and shape. Cold water is your best friend here; hot water shrinks sheepskin instantly. Keep everything gentle and white so no color transfers to your boots.
One pro trick: work in a well-lit spot and lay an old towel under your workspace. If you spill a little water, no big deal. Test any cleaner on a tiny spot inside the boot first. Once you have everything ready, you're set to bring those dirty Uggs back to life in under ten minutes of active work.
- Soft suede brush or clean toothbrush
- Ugg cleaner or mild wool detergent/baby shampoo
- Cold water + clean white sponge
- White paper towels for stuffing and drying
- Test cleaner on hidden spot first
Brush Off Loose Dirt First (The Most Important Start)
Never skip this part, even if your boots look soaked. Dry dirt turns into mud paste the second you add water, and then you're scrubbing twice as hard. Take your boots outside or over a trash can and gently brush in one direction with your soft brush. Start at the top and work down to the sole. You'll be shocked how much gray dust and dried mud flies off.
Pay extra attention to the seams and the area around the sole where salt and street grime hide. Light, quick strokes are perfect—heavy pressure pushes dirt deeper into the nap. If you see caked-on mud, let it dry completely first (yes, even if you're impatient), then brush. Dried mud flakes off way easier than wet mud.
For the rubber sole, use the same brush or just wipe with a damp cloth. Flip the boots upside down and tap the soles together gently; more dirt will fall out. Do this dry step well and the rest of the cleaning becomes ten times easier and faster.
- Always brush completely dry boots first
- Brush in one direction, light strokes only
- Focus on seams and sole edges
- Let any wet mud dry before brushing
Spot-Clean Stains the Gentle Way
Now that loose dirt is gone, mix a tiny amount of cleaner (about a teaspoon) in a bowl of cold water until it's sudsy. Dip your sponge, squeeze until it's just damp—not dripping—and start rubbing the stained areas in small circles. You'll literally see the dirt lift off onto the sponge. Rinse the sponge in clean cold water often and keep going until the spot looks even.
For tougher salt lines (those white streaks from winter roads), dab a mix of half water, half white vinegar on the stain with a cloth, then immediately wipe with plain cold water. The vinegar breaks down salt fast without hurting the sheepskin. Same trick works for light oil marks—just be super gentle.
Never soak the whole boot. Sheepskin drinks water like crazy, and too much moisture inside ruins the shape and can cause mold. Work on one small section at a time, and always keep the sponge barely damp. You'll feel like a boot wizard when the color starts coming back right in front of your eyes.
- Use barely-damp sponge with mild cleaner
- Small gentle circles, rinse sponge often
- Half-water, half-vinegar for salt stains
- Work one small area at a time
Rinse Without Soaking (The Tricky Part Made Easy)
Rinsing sounds scary because you can't just run them under the faucet. Here's the safe way: take a fresh sponge or clean cloth, dip it in plain cold water, squeeze until almost dry, and lightly wipe the areas you just cleaned. This picks up soap residue without adding extra water. Do it two or three times until you don't see any more suds on the sponge.
If you used the vinegar trick, do an extra plain-water wipe to remove any vinegar smell. Lightly press (don't rub hard) so you're lifting soap, not pushing it back in. You want the boots damp, not wet. When you're done, the sheepskin should feel cool and slightly moist to the touch, never soggy.
A lot of people panic here and stop cleaning because they're scared of water. Trust me—if you keep the sponge almost dry, your boots will be totally fine. This step only takes two minutes and makes the biggest difference in how fresh they look when dry.
- Fresh sponge + plain cold water only
- Squeeze sponge almost dry before wiping
- Wipe 2–3 times until no suds left
- Boots should feel cool-damp, never soaked
Stuff and Air-Dry the Right Way
Grab a bunch of white paper towels or clean white towel and stuff the boots firmly but not crazy tight. This keeps the shape perfect while they dry and soaks up extra moisture from inside. Change the paper towels after a few hours if they feel damp—you'll speed up drying and prevent any weird smells.
Place the boots in a cool, airy spot away from direct sun, heaters, or hair dryers. Heat is the enemy—it shrinks sheepskin and makes it stiff. Most boots dry in 24–48 hours. Every few hours, gently massage the outside with your hands to keep the nap soft while it dries.
Once they're bone dry, take out the stuffing and give them another light brush with your suede brush to fluff the sheepskin back up. They'll feel softer than the day you bought them.
- Stuff firmly with white paper towels
- Cool, shady spot—no heat or sun
- Change stuffing if damp
- Light brush when fully dry to fluff
Restore Softness and Protect for Next Time
After they're clean and dry, spray a light, even coat of Ugg protector or any suede/water repellent made for sheepskin. Hold the can 6–8 inches away and do thin layers. Let it dry completely (another 24 hours) before wearing. This one step stops future stains and water marks like magic.
If your boots feel a little stiff after cleaning, rub a tiny amount of Ugg conditioner or even plain lanolin cream into the outside with your fingers. It brings back that buttery softness in minutes. A little goes a long way—think dime-size for both boots.
Doing these two things after every cleaning makes your Uggs last years longer and stay looking brand new even after tons of wear.
- Light even spray of protector when dry
- Tiny bit of conditioner for softness
- Re-apply protector every few months
Final Thoughts
You just saved yourself $50–100 at the dry cleaner and made your favorite Uggs look incredible again—all with stuff you already had at home. Clean them the second you see dirt (don't wait), always go gentle and cold, and they'll stay cozy and gorgeous season after season. Put on those fresh boots, feel that sheepskin softness, and go enjoy winter like the boot-saving hero you now are!
| Action | What to Use | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Remove dry dirt | Soft suede brush or toothbrush | Brush in one direction, outside first |
| Mix cleaner | Ugg cleaner or 1 tsp baby shampoo | Cold water only, make light suds |
| Clean stains | Barely-damp white sponge | Small circles, rinse sponge often |
| Salt or water marks | 50/50 white vinegar + water | Dab, then wipe with plain water |
| Rinse off soap | Fresh sponge + plain cold water | Squeeze almost dry, wipe 2–3 times |
| Stuff while drying | White paper towels or clean towel | Change if damp, keeps perfect shape |
| Drying spot | Cool, shady, airy place | Never near heater or in direct sun |
| Restore softness & protect | Ugg protector spray + conditioner | Light layers, let dry fully before wear |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I put Uggs in the washing machine?
No way—never put real sheepskin Uggs in the washing machine. The spinning and hot water destroy the natural oils, shrink the sheepskin, and can separate the sole. Even the gentle cycle is too rough. Thousands of people have ruined their boots this way. Stick to hand-cleaning with cold water and mild cleaner; it takes ten minutes and keeps them perfect for years.
Is it safe to use vinegar on light-colored Uggs?
Yes, absolutely safe on light tan, chestnut, or sand colors. Mix one part white vinegar with one part cold water, dab lightly on salt stains, then wipe with plain water right after. The vinegar smell disappears once dry, and it won't bleach or damage the dye. I've used this on my own sand-colored Uggs for years with zero issues.
Do I need to buy the official Ugg cleaner?
Not at all, though it's the safest choice. A drop of baby shampoo or wool detergent in cold water works almost as well for most dirt. Just avoid anything with bleach, enzymes, or strong fragrance. If your boots are super expensive or a rare color, the official cleaner is worth it for peace of mind.
Can I speed up drying with a hair dryer?
Please don't. Heat over 80 °F shrinks sheepskin and makes it stiff and cracky. Even low heat is risky. Stuff with paper towels and let them air-dry naturally—it really only takes a day or two. Your patience now keeps them soft and cozy for many winters.
Do I have to clean the inside of my Uggs too?
Only if they smell or have visible dirt. Sprinkle baking soda inside, let it sit overnight, then shake and vacuum out. For deeper odor, mix equal parts baking soda and cornstarch, leave 24 hours, and dump. The sheepskin lining stays fresher when you wear socks and air them out after each use.
Is it okay to wear Uggs in snow if I protect them?
Yes, if you spray them properly first. Two light coats of Ugg protector or any sheepskin water repellent make a huge difference. They're still not snow boots (no traction), but treated Uggs handle light snow and slush fine. Re-spray every couple months during winter and they'll stay clean way longer.
Can I clean dark-colored Uggs the same way?
Exactly the same method works for black, grey, or chocolate Uggs. Just use a white sponge or cloth so no color bleeds onto the boots. Dark colors hide dirt better, but salt lines still show up—use the vinegar trick whenever you see white streaks.
Do I need to condition Uggs after every cleaning?
Not every single time, but once or twice a season keeps them buttery soft. A pea-size amount of Ugg sheepskin conditioner rubbed in with your fingers brings back that brand-new feel instantly. Skip it and they slowly get stiff; do it and you'll swear they're softer than day one.