How to Clean and Care for Ugg Sheepskin Boots

Follow these tips for removing stains, scuff marks, and odors

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 15 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 - 2 days
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $20

Uggs and other sheepskin boots require special care when cleaning. Clean the visible outside dirt and stains from your sheepskin boots, including the inside lining, whenever they are noticeably dirty or smelly. The outer suede on sheepskin boots can easily become dusty, scuffed, or stained, and the fleece-lined interior can begin to smell unpleasant. The fleece inside your sheepskin boots becomes moist from sweat or water; bacteria can grow and cause odor.

Boots made of synthetic materials that mimic the look of sheepskin might be able to be machine-washed. However, genuine sheepskin shoes must always be hand-cleaned with products that protect suede leather.

Follow these steps to properly clean stains and odors and remove dirt, bacteria, and fungus from Uggs and other sheepskin boots.

Tan Ugg boots in a doorway

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • White cloth or sponge
  • Towels
  • Suede or soft-bristle brush
  • Cotton ball
  • Toothbrush (optional)

Materials

  • Cold water
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Suede and nubuck cleaner
  • Baby powder or cornstarch
  • Baking soda
  • Phenolic spray disinfectant, such as Lysol
  • Antifungal spray

Instructions

Various containers of materials for cleaning Ugg boots
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 
How to Clean Sheepskin Boots
Detergent Gentle leather/suede soap
Water Temperature Cold
Cycle Type Do not machine-wash
Drying Cycle Type Do not machine-dry
Special Treatments Spot-clean stains
Iron Settings Do not iron
How Often to Clean Light cleaning after every wearing; deep cleaning after every few wearings

How to Clean Sheepskin Boots

  1. Brush the Boots

    Run a suede brush over the boots to remove dust and loose soil after every use. It's best to brush the shoes outdoors. Start at the top and brush downward, following the nap of the hide.

    Someone brushing brown Ugg boots
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida  
  2. Use a Suede Cleaner

    Use a detergent made for cleaning leather for overall cleaning.

    • Follow the directions carefully, and shampoo your boots, starting at the top and working downward with gentle circular motions, being careful not to oversaturate the boots.
    • Allow them to air-dry.
    Someone applying suede cleaner to a white cloth
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 
  3. Eliminate Fungus and Bacteria

    Wipe down the inside of each boot with a solution of disinfecting cleaner and water. Follow the label directions for mixing instructions. Choose a pine oil or phenolic disinfectant, such as Lysol; never use chlorine bleach, which will cause the sheepskin hide to stiffen. The best way to kill fungus in the boots is to use an antifungal spray.

    Someone using fungal spray inside an Ugg boot
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida  
  4. Air-Dry the Boots

    Allow at least 24 hours for the interior to air-dry before wearing them again after you've wiped down the interior of the boots.

    Air drying Ugg boots
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 
  5. Control Odor

    • Sprinkle 1/2 cup baking soda into each boot to help combat odor, and allow them to sit for eight hours or overnight.
    • After time has elapsed, empty the boots and vacuum the baking soda to prevent leaving white tracks everywhere.
    Someone spooning baking soda into an Ugg boot
    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida  

What Are Ugg Sheepskin Boots?

Uggs are a popular brand of sheepskin boots, shoes, and slippers. Uggs and other sheepskin boots and slippers are made from the skins of sheep with the wool still attached, making them extremely warm. Most sheepskin boots have exposed sheepskin suede comprising the upper portion of the boots, but some types may enclose the sheepskin in another protective layer of waterproof rubber or plain leather.

How Often to Clean Sheepskin Boots

Sheepskin boots should have an overall cleaning, or at least a brushing, after every wear if it's wet or snowy outdoors. Prevent odors inside your boots by deep-cleaning them after every few wearings.

In between deep cleanings, brush the suede outer surfaces of your boots after every wearing. It's also a good idea to give your boots an extra thorough cleaning before putting them away in storage as warm weather arrives.

Treating Stains on Sheepskin Boots

The treatment for stains on sheepskin boots differs depending on the staining agent. Here is how to handle some common stains:

Water Stains

Someone wiping down Ugg boots with a damp cloth
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida  

If your boots are wet from rain and not immediately wiped down, they can develop water stains. To remove water stains, use a white cloth or a sponge dipped in cold water to wet the boots until evenly wet. Do not soak them.

Stuff each damp boot with a rolled white towel to help the boots hold their shape while drying. Don't use a dark-colored towel because dye could transfer to the boots. Don't use newspaper since your feet, socks, and boot insides will get ink stains.

Allow the boots to air-dry away from full sun or direct heat. Don't put the boots in the dryer or use a hair dryer directly on the boots. High heat can damage the exterior.

Salt Stains

Someone dabbing an Ugg boot with vinegar solution
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida  

Salt stains can appear on sheepskin boots after you've walked on salted roads following a snowfall. Salt used in the tanning process can also rise to the skin's surface and appear as stains when the boots are wet. However, they can be removed with a little TLC.

Mix 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar, then wipe the salt-stained area with the vinegar solution using a white cloth or a cotton ball. The acetic acid in the vinegar will gently dissolve the salt. Then, use a white cloth or a sponge dipped in cold water to wet the boots all over until evenly wet. Do not soak them. Allow the boots to air-dry.

Scuff Marks

Someone brushing away scuff marks on Ugg boots
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

If you wear your sheepskin boots enough, they will get an unsightly scuff or two. To remove scuff marks, use an old toothbrush or a clean white towel to rub the scuff marks gently. Follow the nap of the suede. You'll need a suede and nubuck cleaner for tough scuffs and stains. After the scuff is gone, use a suede or soft-bristle brush to brush the suede to return the napped surface to the proper direction.

Oil Stains

Someone sprinkling a boot with baby powder
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida  

If you spill oil or get grease stains on your sheepskin boots, you'll need baby powder or cornstarch to absorb the oil. Before starting the cleaning process, wash your hands since they can also have natural oils that can transfer to the shoes.

Cover the oil stain with a layer of baby powder or cornstarch, and let it sit for at least 24 hours (though 48 hours is better). The powder will absorb the oil from the boots. Brush away the powder with an old toothbrush. Keep repeating this procedure until all the oil stains are soaked up by the powder.

Sheepskin Boots Care and Repairs

If a seam comes undone, use a heavy-duty needle and buttonhole thread to repair it. Double-stitch the seam so it doesn't come undone easily again. Cover a tear in the boot with a suede patch found online and at fabric and craft stores. It might not look as good as new, but it will keep your feet warm and dry.

Storing Sheepskin Boots

Never store damp boots in an enclosed space or container. Allow the boots to air-dry at least 24 hours after wearing them to let foot and body moisture evaporate. Use boot trees, rolled white towels, or white tissue paper to stuff boots and help them hold their shape when not worn.

Tips for Cleaning Sheepskin Boots

  • To help prevent excessive staining, sheepskin boots can be waterproofed using a special spray designed for suede. Test it on an inside area first, as it may change the texture and color of the leather.
  • Always wear socks or tights with your boots to prevent interior soiling and odors.
  • Never let your boots soak in water or stay wet for too long. This loosens adhesives and causes the exterior to become misshapen.
  • If you have frequent boot and sneaker wearers at home, a boot dryer could be a great addition to your cleaning appliances. The device dries wet shoes faster, reducing odor, bacteria, and mold growth.
FAQ
  • Can Uggs and other sheepskin boots be washed in the washing machine?

    You should never wash Ugg boots in a washer. They should only be washed by hand.

  • Can you waterproof sheepskin boots?

    Yes. Every three months, spray your Ugg boots with water and stain-repellent spray to protect them.

  • What is the average lifespan of Ugg boots?

    Ugg boots can last five to 20 years, depending on their care and frequency of use. Other brands of sheepskin boots may not have the same longevity.