How To Dry Ugg Boots

Never use direct heat to dry ugg boots. No hairdryers, no radiators, no heaters, no tumble dryers. Heat shrinks sheepskin, warps soles, and cracks suede permanently. The correct method is simple: stuff them with absorbent paper, stand them upright in a ventilated spot at room temperature, and wait 24-48 hours.

That's the short answer. This guide covers the full process — exactly how to stuff and position your boots, what to do when they're completely soaked through, realistic drying timeframes, and how to restore the suede texture once they're dry.

Why Heat Destroys Sheepskin Boots

Understanding why matters here, because the temptation to speed things up is strong — especially when you need your boots for tomorrow morning.

Sheepskin is a natural hide with inherent moisture and natural oils that keep it soft and flexible. When exposed to direct heat (anything above roughly 35-40°C), several things happen simultaneously:

• The sheepskin shrinks. The protein fibres in the hide contract irreversibly when heated. A boot that was a comfortable size 8 can shrink by half a size or more — and it won't stretch back.
• The suede cracks. Heat dries out the natural oils faster than they can redistribute. Without those oils, the suede becomes brittle and develops permanent surface cracks.
• The sole warps. EVA and rubber soles soften and deform under direct heat. A warped sole changes the fit and can't be flattened back.
• The wool lining matts. The plush interior fleece clumps and hardens when dried too fast, losing the cushioning that makes sheepskin boots comfortable.

Every one of these effects is permanent. There's no fixing heat-damaged sheepskin. The patience of air drying is genuinely the only safe option.

What You'll Need

• Paper towels or clean newspaper — for stuffing the boots to absorb interior moisture and maintain shape
• A dry towel — for blotting excess surface water
• A well-ventilated room — airflow is what actually dries the boots; stagnant air slows the process dramatically
• A suede brush — for restoring the nap once the boots are fully dry
• Optional: a small fan — positioned nearby (not blowing directly on the boots) to improve air circulation

How to Dry Wet Ugg Boots: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Blot Excess Water Immediately

As soon as your boots get wet, grab a clean, dry towel and press it firmly against the outer suede to absorb as much surface water as possible. Don't rub — rubbing pushes water deeper into the fibres and can damage the suede nap. Press and hold, section by section, working from the top of the shaft down to the sole.

Turn the boots upside down briefly and let any pooled water drain out of the interior. If the lining is wet, press a dry towel gently against the inside too.

Step 2: Stuff the Boots Firmly with Absorbent Paper

Crumple paper towels or clean newspaper into loose balls and pack them firmly into each boot, pushing them right down to the toe. The stuffing does two critical jobs: it absorbs moisture from the lining, and it holds the boot in its natural shape as it dries. Without stuffing, wet sheepskin can slump, crease, and dry in a distorted shape.

Pack them snugly but don't force so much paper in that the boot stretches. You want the shaft upright and the toe box filled, not bulging.

Step 3: Replace the Stuffing After 2-3 Hours

Check the stuffing after a couple of hours. If the paper feels damp or saturated, pull it out and replace it with fresh dry paper. For heavily soaked boots, you may need to do this two or three times in the first 6-8 hours. Each swap significantly speeds up the drying process by removing trapped moisture.

Step 4: Stand Boots Upright in a Ventilated Spot

Place the stuffed boots upright on a dry surface in a room with good airflow. Near an open window is ideal — or in a room where air circulates naturally. If you have a ceiling fan or a portable fan, position it to improve general room airflow (not blowing directly at the boots at close range).

Avoid these locations:

• Next to radiators, heaters, or heating vents
• In direct sunlight (UV fades suede colour and the warmth accelerates shrinkage)
• In a closed cupboard or shoe rack (no airflow means slow drying and potential mildew)
• On top of a clothes dryer or heated floor

Step 5: Wait 24-48 Hours

Light dampness (caught in a brief shower) typically dries in 24 hours. Boots that got properly soaked — think stepping in a puddle or getting caught in heavy rain — need a full 48 hours, sometimes longer. Don't rush it. The interior lining takes much longer to dry than the outer suede, and wearing damp boots accelerates odour and can cause the lining to deteriorate.

Test by pressing your hand firmly into the interior lining at the toe. If it feels cool or damp at all, give it more time.

Step 6: Brush the Suede to Restore the Nap

Once completely dry, the suede will feel slightly stiff — that's normal. Use a suede brush in light, single-direction strokes across the entire boot to restore the soft, velvety nap. This step makes a noticeable difference in how the boots look and feel post-drying.

What to Do If Your Boots Get Completely Soaked

Stepped in a deep puddle? Got caught in a downpour without waterproofing? Here's the rescue plan:

1. Act immediately. The longer water sits in sheepskin, the more damage it does. Don't wait until you get home — blot with whatever you have (even paper napkins) as soon as possible.
2. Remove any insoles. If your boots have removable sheepskin insoles, take them out and dry them separately. They'll dry much faster outside the boot.
3. Stuff aggressively. Use more paper than you think you need, and replace it every 2-3 hours for the first 8 hours.
4. Extend drying time to 48-72 hours. Fully saturated sheepskin can take three days to dry completely. The interior wool lining holds moisture like a sponge.
5. Watch for water stains as the boots dry. If you see tide lines forming, dampen the entire boot surface evenly with a cold, damp cloth before it dries fully. This prevents localised water marks. Our stain removal guide covers this technique in detail.
6. Waterproof after drying. Once fully dry, apply a waterproofing spray to prevent a repeat. Check our waterproofing guide for the full process.

Drying Timeframes: What to Realistically Expect

The drying time depends on how wet the boots got, the humidity of your environment, and airflow. Here's a realistic guide:

These assume a well-ventilated room at normal indoor temperature (18-22°C). In humid environments or closed rooms, add 30-50% more time. If you live in a humid climate, consider running a dehumidifier in the room — it helps significantly.

How to Prevent Your Boots from Getting Soaked

Prevention is always easier than the rescue operation. A few simple habits dramatically reduce how often your boots get dangerously wet:

• Waterproof before first wear. A sheepskin-safe protector spray creates a water-resistant barrier that causes rain to bead off instead of soaking in. See our waterproofing guide for the full method.
• Reapply regularly. Waterproofing wears off. Reapply every 4-6 weeks during heavy winter use.
• Check the forecast. If heavy rain is expected, switch to a different pair. Sheepskin boots handle drizzle well when waterproofed, but they're not designed for sustained downpours.
• Wipe down after every wet outing. A quick blot with a dry towel after walking in damp conditions prevents moisture from settling deep into the fibres.

After Drying: Restore and Protect

Once your boots are fully dry, they need a little post-care to get back to their best:

1. Brush the suede with a suede brush to restore softness and lift the nap.
2. Check for stains. Water stains, salt marks, or discolouration? Address them now while the boots are clean and dry. See our cleaning guide for stain-specific fixes.
3. Deodorise if needed. If the boots smelled damp during drying, sprinkle baking soda into each boot, leave overnight, and shake out in the morning. Our deodorising guide covers this in detail.
4. Reapply waterproofing. Water exposure depletes the existing protective layer. A fresh coat of protector spray prepares your boots for the next encounter.

Properly dried and restored boots should look and feel almost identical to their pre-wet state. The key is patience — rushing the process with heat is the only thing that causes permanent damage.

Need a full care routine? Browse our ugg boot care collection for everything you need to keep your sheepskin boots in top shape.