How to Clean Ugg Boots

Your sheepskin boots cop a beating — rain puddles, salt-covered footpaths, the odd coffee spill. But unlike sneakers, you can't just toss them in the wash. Sheepskin needs a gentler approach, and the payoff is worth it: cleaned and cared-for boots last years longer and feel better with every wear.

This guide walks you through exactly how to clean ugg boots (and any sheepskin boots) at home, step by step. We cover general cleaning, stain-specific fixes for water marks, salt stains, oil spots, and mud — plus waterproofing, deodorising, and off-season storage.

What You'll Need

Gather everything before you start. You don't want to leave a half-wet boot sitting while you rummage through the cupboard.

• Suede brush or soft-bristled brush — for removing dry dirt and restoring the nap after cleaning
• Cold water — never hot, which shrinks sheepskin fibres
• Sheepskin-safe cleaner — a dedicated product like Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel, Ugg Sheepskin Cleaner, or a gentle mix of cold water and a tiny amount of woolwash (no enzymes)
• Two clean, soft cloths — one for applying cleaner, one for rinsing
• Newspaper or paper towels — for stuffing boots during drying to hold their shape
• White vinegar — for salt stain removal
• Cornstarch or white chalk — for drawing out oil and grease stains
• Waterproofing spray — a sheepskin-safe protector like Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof

How to Clean Ugg Boots: Step-by-Step

Follow these eight steps for a thorough, safe clean. The whole process takes about 20 minutes of active time, plus 24–48 hours of drying.

Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt with a Dry Brush

Hold the boot at the ankle and brush the entire outer surface with your suede brush, using light, single-direction strokes from top to bottom. This lifts dried mud, dust, and surface grime before any water touches the suede. Pay extra attention to the toe box and heel — they collect the most dirt.

Don't skip this step. Wetting dirty suede grinds the dirt deeper into the fibres.

Step 2: Dampen the Boots Evenly with Cold Water

Wet your clean cloth with cold water and wring it out until it's just moist, not dripping. Dab the entire outer surface of the boot evenly, working from top to bottom. The key word is evenly — if you only wet one section, you'll create new water marks.

Important: Never soak sheepskin boots or hold them under a running tap. Too much water saturates the sheepskin and can cause permanent damage to the lining. You want the suede damp to the touch, not waterlogged.

Step 3: Apply Sheepskin-Safe Cleaner with a Soft Cloth

Squeeze a small amount of your sheepskin cleaner onto a damp cloth — roughly a 10-cent-coin-sized amount per boot. Work the cleaner into the suede using gentle circular motions, starting at the top of the shaft and moving down to the sole. The cleaner should lather lightly.

If you don't have a dedicated cleaner, mix a tablespoon of woolwash (enzyme-free) into a bowl of cold water. Avoid dish soap, laundry detergent, or anything with harsh surfactants — they strip the natural oils from sheepskin.

Step 4: Gently Scrub Stained Areas with a Suede Brush

For stubborn marks that didn't lift in Step 3, use your suede brush to gently work the cleaner into the stain. Use short, light strokes — think of it as coaxing the stain out, not scrubbing a frypan. Circular motions work well on set-in marks.

Step 5: Rinse with a Clean Damp Cloth

Take your second clean cloth, dampen it with fresh cold water, and wipe the entire boot to remove all traces of cleaner. Rinse and re-dampen the cloth as needed — you don't want soapy residue drying into the suede. It'll leave a stiff, chalky film.

Step 6: Stuff with Paper Towels to Hold Shape

Crumple paper towels or clean newspaper and stuff them firmly into each boot, right down to the toe. This does two jobs: absorbs moisture from the inside and keeps the boot upright so it dries in its natural shape. Replace the stuffing after a few hours if it feels damp.

Step 7: Air Dry Away from Direct Heat (24–48 Hours)

Set the boots in a well-ventilated spot, away from direct sunlight, radiators, heaters, and clothes dryers. Let them air dry naturally for 24 to 48 hours. The suede will feel slightly stiff as it dries — that's completely normal.

Never use a hairdryer, place boots on a heating vent, or leave them in a hot car. Direct heat warps the sole, shrinks the sheepskin, and can crack the suede permanently. Patience here saves your boots.

Step 8: Re-Brush the Suede to Restore the Nap

Once your boots are fully dry, give them a final brush with your suede brush in one direction. This restores the soft, velvety nap of the suede and removes any slight stiffness from cleaning. Your boots should now look and feel noticeably fresher.

How to Remove Specific Stains from Ugg Boots

General cleaning handles everyday grubbiness, but some stains need a targeted fix.

Water Stains

Water stains are the irony of sheepskin care — water itself leaves marks. The trick is counter-intuitive: you fix water stains by getting the entire boot evenly damp.

1. Dampen a clean cloth with cold water and wipe the entire boot surface evenly — not just the stained spot.
2. Stuff with paper towels and air dry away from heat.
3. Brush with a suede brush once dry.

The stain disappears because the whole boot dries at the same rate, so there's no visible tide line.

Salt Stains

White salt marks are common after walking on treated winter footpaths. Left untreated, salt dries out the sheepskin and causes cracking.

1. Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and cold water.
2. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently dab the salt-stained areas.
3. Wipe with a separate cloth dampened with plain cold water to remove the vinegar.
4. Stuff and air dry as usual.
5. Brush once fully dry.

Treat salt stains as soon as you notice them. The longer salt sits on sheepskin, the harder it is to reverse the damage.

Oil and Grease Stains

Oil stains are the trickiest because water makes them worse. You need to draw the oil out, not push it around.

1. Sprinkle a generous layer of cornstarch directly onto the grease stain.
2. Gently pat the powder down so it makes full contact with the stain.
3. Leave it overnight — at least 8 hours. The cornstarch absorbs the oil as it sits.
4. In the morning, brush off the powder with your suede brush.
5. Repeat if any residue remains.

Don't try to wash oil stains with water and soap first. Water spreads the oil further into the fibres.

Mud Stains

Mud is actually one of the easiest stains to deal with — if you resist the urge to clean it immediately.

1. Let the mud dry completely. Don't touch it while it's wet.
2. Once fully dry, use your suede brush to flake the dried mud off with firm, short strokes.
3. If a faint mark remains, follow the general cleaning steps above.

Wiping wet mud just smears it deeper into the suede grain. Dry mud cracks off cleanly.

What NOT to Do When Cleaning Sheepskin Boots

Sheepskin is durable when cared for properly — and surprisingly easy to ruin with the wrong approach.

• Never put sheepskin boots in a washing machine. The agitation destroys the fibres, warps the sole, and can cause the lining to separate from the outer suede.
• Never put them in a tumble dryer. The heat shrinks sheepskin dramatically.
• Never use a hairdryer or place boots near a heater. Direct heat cracks and stiffens suede.
• Never use bleach or harsh chemical cleaners. Bleach strips the natural colour and oils from sheepskin.
• Never use hot water. Hot water shrinks sheepskin fibres. Always use cold.
• Never scrub aggressively. Hard scrubbing damages the suede nap and can create bald patches.

Curious whether your boots might need a different size after cleaning? Sheepskin can shift slightly — here's how to tell if your Uggs will stretch back.

How to Waterproof Ugg Boots

Waterproofing is the single best thing you can do to prevent stains in the first place.

Before First Wear

Apply a sheepskin-safe waterproofing spray to your new boots before you wear them outside. Hold the can about 15 cm from the surface and spray evenly across the entire boot, including the seams. Let them dry for 24 hours before wearing.

This step is especially important if you've just purchased a pair of classic mini ugg boots or any style you plan to wear regularly.

Ongoing Protection

Reapply waterproofing spray every 2–3 months during regular wear, or after every deep clean. The protective layer wears off gradually. If water stops beading on the surface and starts soaking in instead, it's time to reapply.

Recommended products: Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof, Scotchgard Suede & Nubuck Protector. Avoid silicone-based sprays — they can clog the pores of natural sheepskin and reduce breathability.

How to Deodorise Ugg Boots

Sheepskin is naturally moisture-wicking, but after months of barefoot wear, even the best boots start to develop an odour.

1. Sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda into each boot. Tilt and shake gently so the powder coats the entire lining.
2. Leave overnight — at least 8 hours. The baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralises odour-causing bacteria.
3. In the morning, tip the boots upside down and shake out the excess. Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove any residue.

Optional boost: Mix 2–3 drops of tea tree oil into the baking soda before sprinkling. Tea tree is a natural antibacterial and leaves a clean, subtle scent.

Repeat once a month during heavy-wear seasons.

How to Store Sheepskin Boots

Proper off-season storage keeps your boots in shape and prevents mould, odour, and creasing.

• Clean before storing. Always give your boots a full clean and let them dry completely before putting them away.
• Stuff them. Fill each boot with acid-free tissue paper to maintain the shaft shape.
• Store upright in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot. Avoid plastic bags — sheepskin needs airflow or it develops mildew. A cotton dust bag or the original box with the lid slightly open is ideal.
• Keep out of direct sunlight. UV exposure fades the suede colour over time.
• Add a silica gel packet inside each boot to absorb ambient moisture.

When you pull them out next season, give them a quick brush and a fresh coat of waterproofing spray. Not sure if your boots still fit? Check our Ugg size guide.

Keep Your Sheepskin Boots Looking New

Cleaning sheepskin boots isn't complicated — it just requires the right products and a bit of patience. The biggest mistakes people make are using hot water, machine washing, or rushing the drying process. Avoid those three things and your boots will reward you with years of wear.

Quick recap: brush dry, dampen evenly, clean gently, air dry slowly, and waterproof regularly. That's it.

Ready to find your next pair? Browse our full range of Australian sheepskin boots — crafted from premium twin-face sheepskin that's built to last with proper care.