How to clean UGGs without damaging them: the complete guide

A pair of UGGs cannot be cleaned like a sneaker. Sheepskin and suede do not tolerate copious amounts of water, regular soap, or machine washing. This is precisely why most pairs end up with water stains, stiffened, or discolored after an improvised first wash.

The good news is that the method is simple and involves five steps. Dry brush, slightly dampen, clean with a suede-appropriate product, air dry away from any heat source, then brush again in the direction of the nap. The rest of this guide details each step, addresses stains on a case-by-case basis (water, salt, mud, grease, odors), and answers the recurring question: no, UGGs cannot be machine washed, and we explain why.

Key takeaways in 30 seconds

·       Never machine wash or soak: sheepskin felts, adhesives come undone, and the shoe deforms.

·       Very little water, cold or lukewarm, and always on the entire surface to avoid water marks.

·       A special suede and nubuck product, no household soap, no dish soap, no regular stain remover.

·       Air dry only, never on a radiator, never with a hairdryer, never in direct sunlight.

·       Waterproof after each cleaning: this prevents the need for the next cleaning.

Before you start: understanding the material

A classic UGG is not smooth leather. It's sheepskin: suede is on the outside, wool on the inside, all in one piece. This structure explains everything else. Suede is a leather whose surface has been sanded to bring out fibers, creating that famous velvety feel. These fibers trap dust, absorb water, and lie flat when rubbed too hard. The wool, on the other hand, irrevocably felts when exposed to hot water and mechanical movement.

Second point, often overlooked: the Classic range is not waterproof. UGG specifies this in its own care guide, where only certain models are presented as being designed for wet conditions, and these models are not part of the Classic range. In other words, a Classic Mini or a Classic Ultra Mini will absorb water if you haven't protected it. This is not a defect; it's the nature of the material.

Third point: not all models are treated the same way. Sheepskin, suede, and nubuck pairs are cared for with the same products. For leather models, however, UGG recommends a specific leather care kit. So, check the material of your pair before you start.

The equipment you need

No need to accumulate products. You need three products and a brush.

Item	What it's for
A suede brush (crêpe or soft brass)	To brush off dry dust and restore fibers after drying
A suede and sheepskin cleaner	To dissolve stains without damaging the fibers. UGG's Cleaner & Conditioner is designed for sheepskin, suede, and leather.
A waterproofing spray	To create a water-repellent and stain-resistant barrier. This is the role of the Protector spray.
A suede eraser or cleaner	To treat scuffs and localized marks dry
Two soft, clean cloths, a little cold water	To apply and wipe without soaking

The official UGG care kit includes the Protector spray, cleaner and conditioner, a renovator deodorizer, a bamboo-handled brush, and a scuff eraser for suede. It's not mandatory; a generic suede equivalent will do the job, but the kit has the advantage of being a coherent set.

What you absolutely should not use: dish soap, Marseille soap, laundry detergent, pure white vinegar, fabric stain remover, abrasive sponge, stiff toothbrush. All these products either discolor the suede, stiffen it, or leave a water mark more visible than the original stain.

Cleaning your UGGs in 5 steps

Step 1: Always dry brush

Wait until the pair is completely dry, then brush the entire surface with the suede brush, in one direction. This step removes dust and embedded particles, and most importantly, it prevents dry dust from turning into mud when you apply water. If the pair is muddy, let the mud dry completely before brushing: never tackle wet mud.

Step 2: Dampen lightly and evenly

This is the step everyone gets wrong. Dampen a cloth with cold water, lukewarm at most, wring it out thoroughly, and wipe it over the entire surface of the shoe, not just the stain. Suede stains when it comes into contact with water: if you only dampen one area, you'll get a clear water mark when it dries. By dampening the entire surface evenly, the drying will be uniform.

Damp, never wet. No drops should run, and water should not penetrate to the inner wool.

Step 3: Apply the cleaner

Apply a small amount of suede cleaner to a clean cloth, never directly to the shoe. Work in small circular motions, without pressing, moving gradually over the entire surface. Focus slightly more on stained areas, but never rub vigorously: rubbing will polish the suede and create a permanent shiny spot.

Step 4: Wipe and air dry

Use a second clean, barely damp cloth to remove any product residue. Then stuff the inside of the shoe with absorbent paper or newspaper: this maintains the shape, prevents the shaft from collapsing, and absorbs residual moisture from the wool.

Allow to dry at room temperature, in the open air, away from direct sunlight and any heat source. Allow 24 hours, sometimes more. A radiator, hairdryer, or stove will harden the leather, crack it, and shrink the wool. This is the action that ruins the most pairs, and it is irreversible.

Step 5: Rebrush and waterproof

Once the pair is completely dry, rebrush the entire surface to restore the fibers and velvety appearance. Then spray the waterproofing spray from about twenty centimeters away, in a thin and even layer, and let it air dry. This final step protects the pair for the following weeks.

Treating stains case by case

Not all stains are treated the same way. The five most common cases:

Water marks

The solution is to re-dampen uniformly, which is surprising at first. Wipe a barely damp cloth over the entire surface to blend the demarcation, then air dry by stuffing the inside. The water mark disappears because it is no longer a boundary between a wet and dry area.

Salt stains

This is the bane of winter: de-icing salt leaves whitish marks that, in the long run, damage the fibers. Prepare a very diluted solution of cold water with a dash of white vinegar, lightly moisten a cloth, dab the area without rubbing, then go over the entire surface to even it out. Air dry, then brush. Treat quickly: salt stains do not improve with time.

Mud

Let it dry completely, dry brush to remove the bulk, then proceed with the classic five-step cleaning. Never scrape wet mud, as this would push it deeper into the fibers.

Grease stains

Grease is treated dry, and quickly. Sprinkle the stain generously with fuller's earth, talcum powder, or failing that, cornstarch. Leave for several hours, ideally overnight, then brush. The powder absorbs the grease. Repeat if necessary before considering a liquid cleaner, which would tend to spread the stain.

Bad odors

The odor comes from the inner wool, not the suede. Sprinkle baking soda inside, leave overnight, then empty and vacuum. UGG also offers a renovator deodorizer for shoes in its kit. Absolutely avoid: spraying perfumed textile deodorant inside, which masks without treating and dampens the wool.

Can UGGs be machine washed?

No, and this is the only point on which there is no debate. Three reasons, all mechanical:

·       The wool will felt. Under the effect of hot water and agitation, the fibers of the lining will permanently clump together. The shoe will lose its fluffiness, become rigid, and shrink inside.

·       The glue will detach. An UGG is assembled by gluing the upper to the sole. A machine cycle, with its hot water and spinning, puts this bond under severe strain.

·       The suede will deform. Soaked in water then spun at high speed, it will dry by shrinking unevenly, with permanent marks and creases.

The fact that UGG sells a dedicated cleaning kit, with a brush, cleaner, and protective spray, clearly indicates the method intended by the brand. If you are looking to wash sneakers in a machine, it is possible for other materials, and we have detailed how to wash sneakers in a machine without damaging them: sheepskin does not fall into this category.

Mistakes that cost you a pair

The mistake	What happens
Putting the pair in the washing machine	Felted wool, weakened glue, permanent deformation
Drying on a radiator or with a hairdryer	Hardened, cracked leather, shrunk wool
Cleaning only the stain	Clear halo, more visible than the initial stain
Rubbing vigorously	Shiny suede, irreversible glossy area
Using dish soap or laundry detergent	Discoloration and stiffening of the fiber
Wearing the pair in the rain without protection	Halos, salt stains, accelerated wear

Wearing your UGGs in the rain and snow

This is where everything happens, because rain and snow are responsible for most of the marks we then try to remove. Unprotected suede that gets wet absorbs water in seconds, and each drop leaves a mark when drying. Snow is even more treacherous: it melts slowly, water seeps deep, and de-icing salt comes with it.

The rule is simple. A waterproofed pair can withstand a short downpour and a walk in fresh snow without damage: water beads on the surface, just dab with a dry cloth upon return. An untreated pair, however, will soak up water immediately. If this happens, do not let it dry improperly: stuff the inside with absorbent paper, air dry, then wipe the entire surface with a barely damp cloth to prevent the demarcation from setting. It is by drying improperly that a wet pair turns into a stained pair, and you end up with new stains to deal with when there were none to begin with.

What should be avoided, however, is considering UGGs as rain boots. Even protected, the Classic range is not designed for deep snow or an entire day in a downpour. For these uses, a pair designed for humidity is better, and save the Classics for dry and cold weather.

Our tips for keeping your UGGs immaculate for a long time

Beyond cleaning, a few habits make all the difference to a pair's lifespan. Here's what all care guides recommend, and what pushes back full cleaning as long as possible:

·       Treat the pair before the first wear. New suede is pristine and absorbs protective product perfectly, which is no longer the case once soiled.

·       Keep a suede brush handy by the entrance. Brushing your UGGs for thirty seconds upon returning home prevents dust from embedding, and this small gesture makes annual cleaning painless.

·       Don't wear them two days in a row if you wear them barefoot. The wool needs a day to dry completely, otherwise odors will set in.

·       Treat stains immediately. A fresh mark almost always comes off; the same mark after three weeks has had time to penetrate the fiber.

·       Store them correctly in summer, stuffed with paper, away from light and humidity, never crushed under other pairs.

Applied together, these actions keep a pair immaculate for several seasons, whereas an unprotected pair will show marks from the first winter.

Restoring the fluffiness inside

Over time, the wool flattens under the foot and the shoe feels larger. You never get 100% of the original fluffiness back, but you can regain a good part of it: gently brush the inside with a soft brush to loosen the matted fibers, then let the pair air out for a day. Baking soda, in addition to treating odors, helps to lift compressed fibers.

Daily care to clean less often

Most of the work is in prevention, and this comes down to four habits:

·       Waterproof them upon purchase, before the first wear, then every four to six weeks during the season.

·       Brush them dry regularly; one minute a week is enough to prevent deep soiling.

·       Alternate pairs: the wool needs to dry between wears, especially if you wear them barefoot.

·       Store them in a protected place, stuffing the inside with paper, away from sunlight and humidity. An UGG crushed in the back of a closet all summer will come out misshapen.

If you already care for other delicate material pairs, the logic is the same. Our guides on how to clean suede sneakers and on Birkenstock care are based on the same principles: little water, suitable product, slow drying.

What if the pair is really too damaged?

Sometimes a pair is too damaged to be repaired at home: polished suede over large areas, ingrained discoloration, detached sole. In this case, there are two realistic options. A cobbler specializing in suede can re-dye and renovate a pair, with often surprising results. Otherwise, it's time to start with a new pair, and waterproof it before the first wear this time. You will find the Classic Mini, Classic Ultra Mini, Tasman, and Lowmel models in our UGG collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to clean suede UGGs without damaging them?

Brush dry, lightly dampen the entire surface with cold water, apply a special suede cleaner with a cloth without rubbing, wipe, then air dry for 24 hours, stuffing the inside with paper. Brush again once dry and finish with a waterproofing spray.

Can you put UGGs in the washing machine?

No. The inner wool felts, the glued parts become fragile, and the suede deforms when drying. Hand washing remains the only safe method for sheepskin boots.

How do I remove a water stain from UGGs?

By re-wetting the entire surface evenly with a slightly damp cloth to blend the mark, then air-drying away from any heat source.

How do I remove salt stains from UGGs?

Dab with a cloth barely dampened with cold water mixed with a dash of white vinegar, then apply to the entire surface to avoid leaving a ring. Air dry and brush. Treat quickly, as salt attacks the fiber.

Are UGGs waterproof?

The Classic models are not. UGG reserves this feature for certain models specifically designed for wet conditions, which are not part of the Classic range. A waterproofing spray is therefore essential if you wear them in wet weather.

How often should I clean my UGGs?

Weekly dry brushing and waterproofing every four to six weeks during the season are sufficient in most cases. Full cleaning is only necessary for stains or at the end of the season before storage.

Can pure white vinegar be used on UGGs?

No, never pure. Highly diluted in cold water, it helps with salt stains, but used neat, it will discolor the suede.