You wear them once in the drizzle and there it is: a dark tide mark across the toe. Add a bit of mud, some road salt and a lining that's been worn without socks since October, and your UGGs aren't looking or smelling their best.
They're nearly always fixable. The trouble is that the quick fixes most people reach for, the washing machine and the radiator, are exactly what ruins them. Here's how to do it properly. It works for genuine UGGs and for any other sheepskin or suede boot.
What you'll need
- A soft suede brush
- A suede eraser (a clean white pencil rubber will do at a push)
- A clean sponge and a bowl of cold water
- A suede or sheepskin cleaner
- Kitchen roll or plain white paper for stuffing
- Cornflour or talc, if you're dealing with grease
How to clean UGG boots, step by step
1. Let them dry out first. Brushing wet suede just pushes the dirt further in. If they're damp, skip to the drying section and come back tomorrow.
2. Brush off loose dirt. Use the suede brush and work in one direction. The eraser takes care of small marks and any shiny, flattened patches.
3. Dampen the whole boot, not just the stain. This is the bit people miss. Wipe cold water evenly over the entire outside with a sponge. If you only wet the dirty patch, you'll swap one mark for a new ring around it.
4. Clean gently. Put a little suede cleaner on the sponge and dab it in. Don't scrub. Then go over the boot again with a clean, damp sponge to lift out the cleaner.
5. Stuff and dry slowly. Pack the boot with kitchen roll or white paper so it keeps its shape. Avoid newspaper, as the ink can transfer onto the lining. Then leave it to dry at room temperature (more on that below).
6. Brush the nap back up. Once they're fully dry, a quick brush lifts the fibres and they'll look much closer to new.
How to get water stains out of UGGs
A water stain is just the line where the water stopped. So the fix sounds backwards: make the whole boot evenly wet, so there's no line left.
Sponge cold water over every bit of suede, not just the marked area. Stuff the boot, let it dry slowly away from heat, then brush. Most tide marks fade completely. A really stubborn one might need a second go.
Salt marks and grease
Salt marks are the white crusty lines you get after walking on gritted pavements. Dab them with cold water and a small splash of white vinegar, let it dry, then brush. Try it on a hidden spot first.
Grease and oil need to be caught early. Sprinkle cornflour or talc on the mark, leave it overnight to soak up the oil, then brush it off. Old grease stains rarely disappear completely, so don't let them sit.
Can you put UGGs in the washing machine?
You can, in the sense that nothing will stop you. But it's a gamble we wouldn't take. The suede can dry patchy, the wool lining can felt and go stiff, and the glue holding the sole can give up. Some people swear by a cold wool cycle and get away with it. Others end up with a boot a size smaller.
If the inside needs a proper clean, do it by hand. Mix a little wool wash into cold water, dab it into the lining with a sponge, then go over it again with clean water. For ordinary trainers the rules are different, which we cover in our guide to putting shoes in the washing machine.
How to dry UGGs
This is where most UGGs actually get ruined. Not by the rain, but by what happens next.
Don't:
- ❌ Put them on or next to a radiator
- ❌ Use a hairdryer on a hot setting
- ❌ Stick them in the tumble dryer
- ❌ Leave them on a sunny windowsill
Heat makes suede hard and brittle, felts the wool and can shrink the whole boot.
Do:
- ✅ Stuff them with kitchen roll and swap it out once it's soaked
- ✅ Leave them somewhere at room temperature with a bit of airflow
- ✅ Be patient: a properly soaked pair can take a good two days, and the toe is always last
That wait is the real problem. A damp sheepskin lining smells musty and feels horrible to put on. Our guide on how to dry wet shoes covers the general rules, but most shoe dryers are built for low shoes and simply won't fit a boot.
Why UGGs start to smell (and what helps)
Most people wear UGGs barefoot. That's half the appeal, and it's also why they end up smelling. Sweat goes straight into the wool, the lining stays warm and damp, and bacteria get comfortable.
What helps:
- Let them dry out completely between wears. Every other day beats every day.
- Wear thin socks. Less cosy, but the lining stays fresh for much longer.
- Dry them from the inside. That's where the moisture is, so that's where the smell lives.
A shoe spray like our Shoefresh Perfume (€24.95) freshens the lining between wears. Spray from a little distance and let it dry before you put them on. It's a top-up, though. If the wool stays damp, the smell comes back.
A boot dryer that fits UGGs
Our full-size Shoefresh Opod is designed for trainers and low shoes, so it won't fit a boot. For UGGs we use the Shoefresh Opod Mini (€79). It sits inside the boot, so the height of the shaft doesn't matter. It dries with lukewarm air rather than hot air, and the active oxygen tackles the bacteria and fungi in the lining that cause the musty smell. Pop it in at night and they're dry by the morning, without the suede or wool getting hot.
"It really helps to get the smell out of ski boots. Nice and small, so very easy to take on a trip." Patricia, April 2025
Steer clear of dryers that advertise UV light. The little blue LEDs in cheap models do very little for odour, and proper UV-C isn't something you want in a gadget you open and close at home. If you're weighing up options, our complete guide to shoe dryers walks through the different types.
How to keep them looking good
- Protect them from new. A suede protector spray before the first wear, then every few weeks through autumn and winter.
- Leave them at home in proper rain. They're not wellies.
- Give them a quick brush every few wears so dirt doesn't settle in.
- Store them stuffed with paper in a cotton bag, never in plastic.
Quick reference
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mud and dust | Let it dry, then brush in one direction |
| Water stain | Dampen the whole boot evenly, stuff, dry slowly |
| Salt marks | Dab with cold water and a little white vinegar |
| Grease | Cornflour or talc overnight, then brush |
| Soaked through | Kitchen roll inside, room temperature, no radiator |
| Musty lining | Dry fully between wears, thin socks, dry from the inside |
FAQ
How do you clean UGG boots at home? Let them dry, brush off loose dirt with a suede brush, dampen the whole boot with a sponge and cold water, then dab in a suede or sheepskin cleaner. Stuff them with paper and let them dry at room temperature.
Can you put UGGs in the washing machine? It's risky. The suede can dry patchy, the wool can felt and the sole can come unstuck. Cleaning them by hand is much safer.
How do you get water stains out of UGGs? Wet the whole boot evenly with a clean sponge so there's no edge for a mark to form, then stuff it and let it dry slowly away from heat. Brush once dry.
How do you dry UGGs quickly? There's no safe way to rush them with heat. Kitchen roll inside, swapped regularly, plus airflow at room temperature. A boot dryer that uses lukewarm air speeds things up without damaging the suede.
How do I stop my UGGs from smelling? Let them dry out completely between wears, wear thin socks and dry them from the inside. As long as the wool stays damp, the smell will keep coming back.
Can I use vinegar on UGGs? A small splash of white vinegar in cold water is a common fix for salt marks. Keep it diluted and test it on a hidden spot first.
A little patience at the drying stage saves you buying a new pair. Ready for a fresh start!