How To Store Ugg Boots

Clean your boots, stuff them with acid-free tissue paper, and store them upright in a cool, dry, well-ventilated spot — ideally in a cotton dust bag or the original box with the lid slightly open. Never use plastic bags or sealed containers. Sheepskin needs airflow, and without it you get mildew, odour, and permanent damage.

That's the short version. This guide covers the full off-season storage process step by step — from the pre-storage clean to moth prevention, and everything you should check when you pull your boots back out next season.

Why Proper Storage Matters

Sheepskin is a natural material. It breathes, it absorbs moisture, and it responds to its environment. That's what makes it comfortable to wear — but it also means it can deteriorate if stored carelessly.

Boots that spend five or six months shoved in the back of a dark, airless wardrobe can develop:

• Mildew. Residual moisture in the wool lining + stagnant air = mould growth. Mildew leaves dark spots on the suede and a musty smell that's extremely difficult to remove.
• Permanent creasing. Unstuffed boots slump and fold, and sheepskin that dries in a creased position holds that shape.
• Moth damage. Wool is a natural fibre that clothes moths feed on. Untreated wool lining in an enclosed, dark space is exactly what moths look for.
• Colour fading. Boots stored in direct sunlight (near a window, on an open shelf that catches afternoon sun) will have noticeably faded suede by the time you need them again.
• Odour buildup. Any bacteria left in the lining from the last wear season will continue to multiply in warm, damp, enclosed storage.

All of these are preventable. Proper storage takes about 30 minutes of prep and protects boots that may have cost you $150-$300.

What You'll Need

• Sheepskin-safe cleaner — like our Sheepskin Cleaner & Conditioner, or a gentle woolwash diluted in cold water
• Suede brush — for pre-storage cleaning and post-storage refreshing
• Acid-free tissue paper — for stuffing (regular newspaper works but can transfer ink to light-coloured linings over months)
• Cotton dust bags — one per boot, or one bag per pair. The original shoe box also works.
• Silica gel packets — to absorb ambient moisture inside the boots during storage
• Cedar balls or lavender sachets — natural moth deterrents
• Baking soda — for deodorising before storage

How to Store Ugg Boots: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Give Your Boots a Full Clean

Never store dirty boots. Residual dirt, sweat, salt, and stains will set permanently during months of storage, and any bacteria in the lining will continue to multiply.

Follow our full cleaning guide for a thorough wash. In brief: brush off dry dirt, dampen evenly with cold water, apply sheepskin-safe cleaner, rinse, and air dry completely.

The "dry completely" part is critical. Any residual moisture sealed into storage leads to mildew. Give your boots a full 48 hours of air drying before proceeding.

Step 2: Deodorise the Interior

Even after cleaning, the wool lining can hold trace odour. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda into each boot, leave overnight, then shake and vacuum out the residue. This neutralises any remaining bacteria and leaves the lining fresh for storage.

For detailed deodorising instructions, see our deodorising guide.

Step 3: Stuff with Acid-Free Tissue Paper

Crumple acid-free tissue paper into loose balls and fill each boot from toe to top. The stuffing maintains the boot's natural shape throughout storage — without it, the shaft collapses and the toe box creases.

Why acid-free tissue? Standard newspaper contains acids and printing ink that can transfer to light-coloured wool linings over long storage periods. Acid-free tissue is inert and won't stain. If you only have newspaper, it's better than nothing — just wrap it in a layer of plain white tissue first.

Pack the boots snugly enough that the shaft stands upright and the toe holds its shape. Don't overstuff to the point of stretching.

Step 4: Add Moisture Absorbers

Drop one or two silica gel packets into each boot, on top of the tissue paper stuffing. Silica gel absorbs ambient humidity during storage, keeping the interior dry even if your storage area has variable humidity. You can buy packets cheaply online, or save the ones that come in new shoe boxes and electronics packaging.

Step 5: Add Moth Deterrents

Place a cedar ball or lavender sachet inside each boot or in the dust bag alongside the boots. Moths are attracted to natural wool fibres, and the dense wool lining of sheepskin boots is vulnerable in long-term storage.

Cedar and lavender are natural repellents that discourage moths without chemicals. Replace cedar balls each season — they lose potency over time. Rub them lightly with sandpaper to refresh the scent if reusing.

Avoid mothballs (naphthalene). They work, but the chemical smell penetrates sheepskin and is almost impossible to remove. Your boots will smell like mothballs for weeks after retrieval.

Step 6: Store in a Breathable Container

Place each boot in a cotton dust bag. If you don't have dust bags, the original shoe box with the lid slightly open works well. The goal is protection from dust and light while allowing airflow.

Never use:

• Sealed plastic bags or containers — they trap moisture and create a mildew incubator
• Vacuum storage bags — the compression crushes the sheepskin and removes all airflow
• Open shelves in direct sunlight — UV exposure fades suede colour significantly over months

Step 7: Choose the Right Storage Location

Place your boots in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Ideal spots:

• A bedroom wardrobe with slatted shelves or ventilation
• A linen cupboard that gets occasional airflow
• Under the bed (if the room is dry and ventilated)

Avoid:

• Garages and sheds — temperature swings and humidity are too extreme
• Attics — heat builds up in summer and can damage sheepskin
• Basements — often too damp, even with silica gel
• Near exterior walls — these can be damp in humid climates

Bringing Your Boots Back Out Next Season

When cooler weather returns, don't just pull your boots on. A quick refresh makes a noticeable difference:

1. Remove the stuffing and silica gel packets.
2. Inspect for any signs of mildew, moth damage, or discolouration. If you see mildew spots, treat them with a light application of sheepskin cleaner before wearing.
3. Give the suede a thorough brush with a suede brush to restore the nap and remove any dust.
4. Reapply waterproofing spray. The protective layer from last season has long since degraded. A fresh coat of protector spray (two light coats, 24 hours drying) prepares them for rain and damp.
5. Check the fit. Sheepskin can shift slightly in storage. If they feel snug, wear them around the house for a day — the sheepskin will mould back to your foot shape. If they feel too loose, a pair of sheepskin insoles can tighten the fit. Check our size guide if you're unsure.

Common Storage Mistakes to Avoid

• Storing boots dirty. Stains set permanently over months. Salt in particular crystallises deeper into the suede.
• Storing boots damp. Even slight residual moisture leads to mildew. Ensure boots are bone-dry before packing away.
• Using plastic bags. Plastic traps moisture and prevents the sheepskin from breathing. Always use breathable containers.
• Stacking heavy items on top. Pressure deforms the boot shape. Store boots upright with nothing pressing against them.
• Forgetting moth protection. A single moth can leave visible holes in wool lining. Cedar or lavender is cheap insurance.
• Storing in extreme temperatures. Attic heat, garage cold, and basement damp all damage sheepskin. Choose a climate-stable indoor spot.

A Quick Storage Checklist

Print this or save it for end-of-season:

1. Clean boots thoroughly and let them air dry for 48 hours
2. Deodorise with baking soda overnight
3. Stuff with acid-free tissue paper
4. Add silica gel packets for moisture control
5. Add cedar balls or lavender sachets for moth prevention
6. Place in cotton dust bags or the original box (lid ajar)
7. Store in a cool, dry, ventilated spot away from sunlight

For the full care routine — cleaning, stain removal, waterproofing, and deodorising — browse our ugg boot care collection. And if your boots have seen better days, explore our range of Australian sheepskin boots for your next pair.