Last winter I spilled hot chocolate all over my favorite tan UGGs right before a holiday party. Panic mode! No suede cleaner in the house, stores closed, and I refused to wear ruined boots. After a few quick tests in the kitchen, I saved them in under 30 minutes with stuff I already had. You're about to learn the exact tricks that actually work when you're in the same mess.
Key Takeaways: Grab a soft brush, cool water, white vinegar, mild dish soap or baby shampoo, cornstarch or baking soda, paper towels, and a clean sponge. Lightly damp (never soak) the outside, gently rub stains with a vinegar-soap mix, blot dry instantly, stuff boots with paper towels to keep shape, sprinkle cornstarch on oil marks and let sit overnight, brush off powder the next day, then air dry away from heat. Done — clean UGGs, zero special cleaner needed.
What You Probably Have in Your Kitchen That Works Better
Most people think you need fancy suede cleaner, but honestly the gentlest household items beat store products every time. Cool water, a drop of dish soap that says "gentle" or baby shampoo, and plain white vinegar are your new best friends. The trick is using tiny amounts so the sheepskin never gets soaked — UGGs hate being wet for long.
Start by mixing one teaspoon of dish soap or shampoo with one cup of cool water in a small bowl. Add one teaspoon of white vinegar if the boots smell or have tougher marks. This mix lifts dirt without leaving any residue that attracts new grime later. Keep a second bowl of plain cool water nearby for rinsing your sponge.
You also need a super-soft brush — think toothbrush you don't use anymore or the soft side of a dish brush. Anything stiff will ruin the nap (that fluffy texture). Paper towels or a white microfiber cloth work for blotting. That's literally it. No expensive kits required.
- Mix 1 tsp gentle soap + 1 tsp vinegar in 1 cup cool water
- Keep plain water bowl ready for quick rinses
- Use only soft brushes and white cloths to stay safe
- Never use colored towels — dye can transfer
Knock Off Dry Dirt First (The Step Everyone Skips)
Before anything touches water, get the loose stuff off. Take your UGGs outside or over a trash can and gently brush the entire boot with your soft brush in one direction. You'll be shocked how much sand, dust, and dried mud flies off. This stops you from grinding dirt deeper when you clean.
Pay extra attention to the seams and the top edge where your jeans rub — that's where dark lines love to hide. Flip the boots upside down and tap the soles together lightly. If salt stains from snow are visible, now's the time to brush hard (still gently on the suede) because salt comes off easier when dry.
Do this every single time you wear them in bad weather and your boots will look new way longer. Takes 60 seconds and saves you hours of deep cleaning later.
- Always brush dry dirt outside first
- Brush in one direction only to protect the nap
- Tap soles together to shake hidden sand
- Do this after every wear to prevent buildup
Spot-Clean Stains Without Ruining the Shape
Dip your sponge or cloth in the soap-vinegar water, then squeeze until almost dry — it should feel barely damp, not wet. Work on one small section at a time. Gently rub the stain in tiny circles. You'll see the mark lift onto the cloth right away. Immediately blot with a dry paper towel.
If the stain is stubborn (coffee, wine, mud), add a tiny extra drop of vinegar straight on the spot, wait 30 seconds, then rub again. Never scrub hard — think "massage" instead. The moment the spot looks gone, use the plain-water sponge to wipe away any soap so it doesn't attract dirt later.
Stuff the boots with crumpled paper towels or newspaper the second you finish each boot. This keeps the shape perfect while they dry. Change the paper if it feels damp after an hour.
- Sponge must be almost dry — dripping water kills UGGs
- Small circles, light pressure only
- Blot instantly with dry paper towel
- Stuff with paper towels immediately to hold shape
Tackle Oil and Grease Marks With One Magic Powder
Hot chocolate, makeup, street oil — greasy stuff laughs at soap. That's where cornstarch or baking soda saves the day. Sprinkle a thick layer right on the oily spot, really pile it on. Gently pat it in with your finger so it sticks.
Leave the boots sitting upright overnight (8–12 hours is perfect). The powder sucks the oil out like a magnet. Next morning, brush it off outside. If any shadow remains, repeat one more night. Works 95% of the time and costs pennies.
This trick also freshens the inside if your feet made them smell. Just pour half a cup of baking soda inside, shake it around, let sit overnight, then dump and brush.
- Thick layer of cornstarch or baking soda on oil
- Pat, don't rub, then leave overnight
- Brush off outside the next day
- Repeat once if faint mark remains
Dry Them the Right Way (Biggest Mistake to Avoid)
Never, ever put UGGs near a heater, hair dryer, or in direct sun — the leather shrinks and cracks. Instead, keep them in a normal-temperature room with moving air (a fan on low helps). Change the stuffed paper towels every few hours so moisture doesn't sit inside.
Most boots look dry on the outside in 6–8 hours but stay damp inside for 24–48 hours. Be patient. If the sheepskin feels stiff after drying, lightly brush it in circles with your soft brush to fluff it back up.
A tiny spray of water-and-vinegar mix (50/50) from six inches away can help relax stiff areas too. Let that air dry again.
- Room temperature + air movement only
- Change paper stuffing often
- Full dry takes 24–48 hours — wait it out
- Brush gently after to restore fluff
Keep Them Fresh Between Big Cleans
Once your UGGs are clean, protect them so you don't have to do this every week. Sprinkle baking soda inside once a month, let sit overnight, dump it out. Spray the outside lightly with a water-and-vinegar mix (three parts water, one part vinegar) from far away and let dry — it makes a invisible shield against light stains.
Use a suede protectant spray only after they're completely clean and dry if you want extra armor, but the vinegar trick works almost as well and costs nothing.
- Monthly baking soda inside for odor
- Light vinegar-water spray outside as protection
- Re-spray after every deep clean
- Store away from direct light when not wearing
Final Thoughts
You just saved yourself $20–$50 on suede cleaner and kept your favorite UGGs looking brand new with stuff already in your house. Next time someone spills on them, smile — you've got this down in under 30 minutes. Treat them gently, dry them patiently, and they'll stay cozy and cute for years. Go throw on those clean boots and enjoy winter!
| Quick Guide Table | What to Do | Extra Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Dry brush first | Soft brush outside, one direction | Do this after every single wear |
| Make cleaning mix | 1 tsp gentle soap + 1 tsp vinegar + 1 cup cool water | Keep second bowl plain water for rinse |
| Spot clean | Barely damp sponge, tiny circles | Blot dry instantly |
| Oil/grease marks | Thick cornstarch overnight | Repeat one night if needed |
| Stuff while drying | Paper towels or newspaper | Change paper if damp |
| Full drying time | 24–48 hours, room temp, no heat | Fan on low speeds it up safely |
| Restore fluff | Light brush in circles after dry | Tiny vinegar-water mist helps too |
| Monthly care | Baking soda inside + light vinegar spray outside | Keeps them fresh with zero effort |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I put my UGGs in the washing machine?
No way — the washing machine destroys real sheepskin UGGs. The spin cycle breaks the leather backing and the heat shrinks everything. Even on gentle cycle you'll end up with tiny, stiff boots that don't fit. Hand-spot cleaning like we did above is the only safe method. Takes longer but your boots stay perfect.
Is it safe to use vinegar on light-colored UGGs?
Yes, white vinegar is completely safe on chestnut, sand, and even cream UGGs when you dilute it and use very little. Always test a tiny spot inside the boot first. I've cleaned dozens of light pairs and never had color change. The vinegar smell disappears as soon as it dries.
Do I need to buy a special UGG brush?
Nope, a clean soft toothbrush or the soft side of a kitchen sponge brush works just as well and costs nothing. The official UGG brush is nice but not magic. Just stay away from anything with stiff bristles — that's what ruins the fluffy texture forever.
Can baking soda discolor the inside fur?
Plain baking soda won't discolor the sheepskin lining at all. I leave it overnight every month in my own boots. Just dump it out and lightly brush — no white residue if you shake well. If you're worried, use cornstarch instead; it's even gentler and works the same.
Is it okay to wear them while still a little damp?
Better to wait until 100% dry. Wearing damp UGGs stretches them weirdly and invites bacteria that make them smell. If you're in a rush, stuff with fresh paper towels, point a fan at them for two hours, and they'll feel dry enough to wear safely.
Can I use baby wipes instead of a damp sponge?
Baby wipes leave fragrance and lotion behind that attract dirt later, so skip them. A barely damp microfiber cloth with our soap-vinegar mix cleans way better and doesn't leave any film. You'll notice the boots stay cleaner longer.
Do I have to clean both boots if only one is dirty?
Always clean both at the same time, even if only one looks bad. Cleaning just one creates a slight color difference that drives you crazy later. Doing both takes five extra minutes and keeps them matching perfectly.
Can these tricks work on fake UGG-style boots too?
Absolutely — most cheaper versions are synthetic suede and clean even easier with the same method. The cornstarch trick works especially great on fake ones because oil stains love that material. Just follow the same gentle rules and they come out fresh.