How To Stop Ugg Boots Smelling

Sprinkle baking soda into each boot, leave overnight, and shake it out in the morning. That's the fastest, most effective way to deodorise ugg boots — it neutralises odour-causing bacteria and absorbs trapped moisture in one step. For prevention, let your boots air out between wears and alternate pairs if you can.

This guide covers everything: why sheepskin boots develop odour in the first place, three proven deodorising methods, how to care for the wool lining, and daily habits that stop the smell from coming back.

Why Do Ugg Boots Start Smelling?

Sheepskin is naturally moisture-wicking — the wool fibres pull sweat away from your feet and release it as vapour. That's why sheepskin boots feel comfortable even without socks. But there's a limit to what the wool can handle.

When you wear sheepskin boots regularly — especially barefoot — sweat accumulates in the dense wool lining faster than it can evaporate. Warm, damp wool becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, and it's the bacteria (not the sweat itself) that produce the odour. The longer the moisture sits, the more bacteria multiply, and the stronger the smell gets.

A few factors accelerate the problem:

• Barefoot wear. Feet produce roughly 200-250 ml of sweat per day. Without socks to absorb some of that moisture, it all goes directly into the lining.
• No drying time between wears. Wearing the same pair every day gives the lining no chance to dry out fully.
• Storing boots in enclosed spaces. A closed wardrobe or plastic bag traps residual moisture and creates the exact warm, airless environment bacteria love.
• Not cleaning the interior. Most people clean the outer suede but never think about the wool lining.

Method 1: The Baking Soda Treatment (Best All-Round Fix)

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a natural deodoriser. It neutralises acidic odour compounds, absorbs moisture, and creates an environment that's hostile to bacteria — all without chemicals or fragrances.

Step-by-Step

1. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda into each boot. Tilt and shake gently so the powder coats the entire wool lining, including the toe area.
2. Leave overnight — a minimum of 8 hours. The baking soda needs time to absorb moisture and neutralise the odour.
3. In the morning, tip the boots upside down over a bin and shake out the excess powder.
4. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove any remaining residue from the lining.

How often: Once a month during heavy-wear seasons (autumn and winter). If you wear your boots daily and barefoot, bump it up to every two weeks.

Baking soda is gentle on sheepskin — it won't damage the wool fibres, discolour the lining, or leave a residue if vacuumed out properly.

Method 2: Baking Soda + Tea Tree Oil (For Stronger Odours)

If baking soda alone isn't cutting it — or if the boots have been neglected for a while — adding tea tree oil gives the treatment antibacterial muscle. Tea tree oil is a natural antimicrobial that kills odour-causing bacteria on contact, and it leaves a clean, subtle scent.

Step-by-Step

1. In a small bowl, mix 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda with 3-4 drops of tea tree essential oil. Stir to distribute the oil evenly through the powder.
2. Sprinkle the mixture into each boot, tilting to coat the full lining.
3. Leave for at least 8 hours — overnight is best.
4. Shake out and vacuum the residue.

Alternatives to tea tree oil: Eucalyptus oil and lavender oil also have antibacterial properties and work well. Avoid peppermint oil in large amounts — it can be overpowering in an enclosed boot.

Don't overdo the oil. More drops doesn't mean more deodorising power. Too much essential oil can leave an oily residue on the wool lining. Stick to 3-4 drops per boot.

Method 3: Vinegar Mist (For Deep, Persistent Odour)

For boots that still smell after the baking soda treatment, white vinegar is a stronger antibacterial option. The vinegar smell dissipates completely as it dries, leaving the lining odour-free.

Step-by-Step

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and cold water in a clean spray bottle.
2. Lightly mist the interior lining of each boot. Don't saturate — a light spray is enough.
3. Stuff with paper towels and air dry in a well-ventilated spot for 24 hours.
4. Once dry, follow up with the baking soda treatment to absorb any residual moisture and leave the lining fresh.

This method is more aggressive, so use it sparingly — perhaps once or twice per season, not weekly. For regular maintenance, baking soda alone is sufficient.

How to Care for the Wool Lining

The lining is where odour lives, so keeping it healthy is the best long-term defence.

• Brush the interior occasionally. Use a soft-bristled brush (an old, clean toothbrush works) to gently fluff the wool fibres. Matted wool traps more moisture and bacteria.
• Spot-clean the lining if needed. Dampen a cloth with cold water and a tiny amount of woolwash (enzyme-free), and gently wipe the interior. Rinse with a clean damp cloth. Let the boots dry completely before wearing — at least 24 hours.
• Use removable insoles. Sheepskin insoles sit on top of the permanent lining and absorb the brunt of daily sweat and wear. They can be removed and aired separately — or replaced when they've reached their limit — without affecting the boot itself.
• Never machine-wash the lining. The agitation and heat of a washing machine will matt the wool, shrink the sheepskin, and potentially separate the lining from the outer suede.

Daily Habits That Prevent Odour

Deodorising fixes the problem. Prevention stops it from happening. These habits take almost no effort and make a significant difference:

• Air your boots out after every wear. Don't shove them straight into a dark cupboard. Leave them in an open, ventilated spot for at least a few hours so residual moisture can evaporate.
• Alternate between pairs. If you wear sheepskin boots daily, owning two pairs and rotating them gives each pair 24+ hours to dry between wears. This alone eliminates most odour issues.
• Wear thin socks when possible. A thin cotton or merino sock absorbs sweat before it reaches the lining. It doesn't diminish the warmth or comfort of sheepskin — and you can wash socks far more easily than a boot lining.
• Store boots in a breathable space. A cotton dust bag, the original shoe box with the lid ajar, or an open shelf. Never a sealed plastic bag or airtight container.
• Drop a silica gel packet in each boot when storing. Silica gel absorbs ambient moisture and keeps the interior dry during off-season storage.

What NOT to Do

• Don't use scented sprays or aerosol deodorisers. They mask odour temporarily without killing bacteria. Once the fragrance fades, the smell returns — often worse, because the chemicals in aerosol sprays can degrade wool fibres.
• Don't freeze your boots. The internet suggests that freezing kills bacteria. It doesn't — most bacteria go dormant in the freezer and reactivate when warmed. Freezing also risks moisture damage to sheepskin.
• Don't use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners inside the boot. They damage wool fibres and strip natural oils from the sheepskin.
• Don't ignore the problem. Odour gets progressively harder to remove the longer you leave it. Monthly maintenance prevents the buildup that leads to deep, stubborn smells.

When to Replace the Insoles or the Boots

Sometimes odour reaches a point where the lining is permanently compromised. If you've tried all three deodorising methods, given the boots a thorough deep clean, and the smell returns within a day or two of wearing, the wool lining may be past its useful life.

Before giving up on the boots entirely, try replacing the insoles. Sheepskin insoles give the interior a fresh start without replacing the whole boot. If the odour is in the boot's permanent lining (not just the insole), it may be time for a new pair.

Curious about how long boots should last? Our guide on how long ugg boots last covers realistic lifespan expectations and the signs that tell you it's replacement time.

Browse our full ugg boot care collection for cleaning products, protector sprays, insoles, and everything you need to keep your sheepskin boots fresh.