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What’s not to love about a pair of Ugg boots? They can be worn with various outfits, keeping your feet warm and cozy during the cold winter. They’re also supremely comfortable and work for people with narrow or wide feet. The only downside to these boots? They tend to get dirty — especially if you wear them in the sludge. And because Uggs are made of suede, you can’t just toss them in the washing machine. In other words, you have to be careful with how you clean them so you don’t ruin them.
To ensure you clean your Uggs in the best way possible, we consulted experts on exactly what steps you should take to make them look new again. Along with cleaning tips, we also asked them how to prevent them from getting as dirty going forward.
SKIP AHEAD How to clean your Uggs | How to protect your Uggs | Products that will help you clean your Uggs
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How to clean your Uggs
Maybe you stepped in a muddy puddle or your Uggs are dirty from last year’s wear. Whatever the case, if you’re ready to clean your boots, you’ll want to do so with care. “They’re made of suede, which can be difficult to care for,” says William Wong, director of Arterton, which specializes in garment bags and shoe care tools. “But, when done right, cleaning can make them look better, retain their color and increase their longevity.” Below are the steps our experts recommend you follow when you clean your Uggs.
- Step one: Start by brushing your boots with a suede brush. “This type of brush has rigid bristles so that the nap (or the texture) of the material is raised when you run it over the shoe and dust gets brushed off,” says Wong. You want to brush in downward motions to go with the suede’s grain, rather than against it.
- Step two: Wet your Uggs with a damp sponge. You want to avoid soaking then, as that can cause water stains. But slightly dampening them can help wash away additional dirt.
- Step three: “For a deeper clean, wipe boots down with a suede shampoo,” says Wong. “Mix a shampoo that is specially formulated for suede with water (preferably distilled or at least low mineral content tap water) and lather it gently into the boots. Let dry, and then brush the nap before fully dry.”
- Step four: If you still notice lingering stains — like water or dirt stains — try a suede eraser, says Simon Elliott, the founder and operations director of custom clothing brand Clifton. This type of eraser is made from a crumbly rubber that penetrates the suede to lift the stains as you rub it over the affected material. You may find the eraser leaves behind some debris, just dust it off and your stain should be gone — or at least minimized, says Elliott.
How to clean the inside of your Uggs
Ugg boots are lined with soft sheepskin, which can make it tempting to skip socks when wearing them. Of course, if you do that, your feet may sweat and eventually lead to the inside of your shoes smelling a little funky. Also, the fluffy sheepskin can eventually flatten out and get matted. The experts we spoke to suggested sprinkling a few teaspoons of baking soda inside your boots to neutralize any unpleasant scents. Let the baking soda sit overnight, then use your suede brush to brush the baking soda out and fluff the sheepskin back up.
How to protect your Uggs
Knowing how to clean your Uggs is important. Equally important is protecting them from getting super dirty in the first place. One of the best things you can do to prevent stains and damage is to spray the suede down with a protective spray regularly, Eric Neuner, CEO of the shoe repair company NuShoe. These sprays repel water and other liquids that may stain your Uggs.
Before applying a suede protector, test it on a small area to ensure it works with your boots. From there, Neuner says you’ll need to apply the protector semi-regularly. How often, really depends on the frequency in which you wear your Uggs. If you only wear them occasionally, once or twice a year should work. If you wear them all the time, opt for once a month. By regularly using a protector, you should have to clean your Uggs a bit less frequently.
Products that will help you clean your Uggs
Below, we’ve rounded up highly rated products to help you clean Uggs and other suede shoes. Every item on this list follows guidance recommended by our experts and has at least a 4-star average rating from hundreds of reviews.
Ugg Sheepskin and Suede Shoe Care Kit
Made by Ugg, this cleaning kit comes with a protector, cleaner and a renew spray that can help freshen up the inside of your boots. The kit also comes with a suede brush to dust away dirt and an eraser for stubborn stains. This kit comes in a slide-out box to easily store everything and has a 4.5-star average rating from over 16,300 reviews on Amazon.
Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner
Just looking for a brush? This one has different bristles on all four sides. One side has rubber bristles that gently remove dirt; two sides have thinner brushes to get in crevices; the final side has metal brushes for a deeper clean, according to the brand. The combo of all these different brushes can give your boots a more comprehensive clean and ensure you remove as much dirt as possible. This brush has a 4.5-star average rating from over 12,300 reviews on Amazon.
Takavu Premium Suede & Nubuck Cleaning Brush Kit
Another brush option, this set, includes two different brushes. The first is a rubber brush that can wipe away larger dirt particles, while the second has stiff bristles that can get deep into the nap of your suede to pull out smaller specks of dust. The set, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 500 reviews on Amazon, also includes a stain eraser to help address water stains and other stubborn marks.
Crep Protect Ultimate Scuff Eraser
Crep’s eraser is made to remove scuff marks and stains. The pocket sized tool comes in a tin carrying case, making it easy to carry around so you can address stains as soon as they pop up. To use it, simply rub it over the stain, brush away the shavings and your stain should be gone, according to the brand.
Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof
As our experts mentioned, one of the best ways to keep your Ugg boots clean is to prevent stains in the first place. This protector, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 5,500 reviews on Amazon, can add water resistance to your boots, according to the brand. It comes in a spray bottle to make it quick and easy to spritz all over your shoes. After spraying your boots, let the formula sink in for 24 hours for maximum protection before wearing them, according to the brand.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- William Wong is the director of Arterton, which specializes in garment bags and shoe care tools.
- Simon Elliott is the founder and operations director of custom clothing brand Clifton.
- Eric Neuner is the CEO of the shoe repair company NuShoe.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed experts on how to clean your Uggs.
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