This article was co-authored by Marc Sigal and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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UGG slippers are so cozy to wear around the house, but they can start to look dirty or dingy after a while. Luckily, it’s really easy to clean your slippers inside and out. While there are specialty products to use, there are a lot of household alternatives you can use too. Keep reading and we’ll walk you through the best ways to clean your UGGs and how to keep them protected in between cleanings.
How to Clean UGG Slippers at Home
Start by brushing loose dirt and dust off your slippers with a suede brush. Wipe your slippers with a damp cloth, and then apply suede shampoo with another cleaning cloth. Rinse the cleaner off and allow your slippers to air-dry overnight before wearing them again.
Steps
Cleaning the Outsides of UGGs
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Brush your slippers to remove dirt and dust. Use a soft-bristled suede brush for the best results, but a soft nylon brush or toothbrush can work in a pinch. Start at the top of your slippers and gently brush down toward the soles. Follow the direction of the nap to help fluff it back up and remove dirty surface stains.[1]
- Be sure to check the soles of your shoes as well. Brush out any dirt or debris that’s caught in them.
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Treat dry stains with a suede eraser. Rub the stain gently using a circular motion. The eraser can help break apart stubborn surface stains and help refresh the nap.[2]
- A standard pencil eraser works well if you don’t have a suede eraser on hand.
- Be gentle when you use a suede eraser because pressing too hard can flatten or damage the nap.
- If you have grease or oil stains on your slippers, shoe care specialist Marc Sigal recommends “adding some sort of like chalk or talcum powder directly to the affected area itself and then just letting it sit overnight.” He adds that the powder can help soak up the stain and then you can just brush it off with a soft-bristled brush.
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Dampen the slippers with cold water. Wet a soft cloth with clean, cold water and wring it out. Wipe the outer material on your UGG slippers so they’re damp.[3]
- It’s normal for your slippers to look darker in color when they’re wet. Once they dry, they’ll have their original color.
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Wash your UGG slippers with suede cleaner. Either use suede shampoo or make your own with equal parts cold water and distilled white vinegar. Dip a clean cloth in your cleaner and gently work it into the material at the top of your slippers. Use small circular motions to scrub your slippers, and work toward the bottom.[4]
- Steer clear of using dish soap to clean your UGGs because it could cause discoloration or damage.
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5Rinse your slippers with a damp cloth. Wet a new cloth with cold water and wring it out. Wipe the entire outsides of your slippers with the cloth to lift up any residual cleaner.[5]
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6Stuff your slippers with paper towels and leave them to air-dry. Crumple up newspapers and push them into the toe of your slippers so they retain their shape as they dry. Leave your slippers in a cool, dry place for about a day so they can dry completely.[6]
- Avoid putting your shoes in direct sunlight or near heat sources because it could damage the material.
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7Brush your slippers with a suede brush to restore the material. Once your UGGs are dry, take your soft suede brush and fluff the nap on your slippers. Work from the top of the slippers toward the soles in small, gentle strokes.[7]
How to Clean UGG Slippers Inside
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Scrub the lining with soapy water. Add a small squirt of dish soap to a bowl of cold water, and mix it together. Wet a soft clean cloth in the water, wring it out, and gently rub the insides of your slippers. Gently work the suds into the material to help clean up any dirt or debris that’s caught inside.[8]
- Always wring out your cleaning cloth so it isn’t soaking wet while you’re cleaning.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach areas, like the toes of your slippers.
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2Wipe the soap out with a clean, damp cloth. Use a fresh cloth and wet it under cold water. Wring out the cloth so it’s not soaking wet, and start wiping up the leftover suds. Rinse as much of the soapy water as you can.[9]
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3Let your slippers air-dry overnight before wearing them. Keep your slippers in a cool dry spot and out of direct sunlight. Leave the slippers out until they’re completely dry on the inside.
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4Leave baking soda in your slippers overnight to remove odors. Sigal recommends to “just put in some baking soda or cornstarch inside the shoes, and leave them for a few hours overnight” so it absorbs the odors. In the morning, he says to “vacuum [the baking soda] out using a small vacuum.”
Best Cleaner for UGG Slippers
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1UGG Cleaner and Conditioner UGG makes their own Cleaner and Conditioner solution that’s specifically made for their slippers and boots. They also offer complete cleaning kits containing the cleaner and brushes.
- Pros: Made specifically for cleaning UGGs, simple to use, and won’t damage the material
- Cons: May be more expensive than other similar cleaners
- Customer Ratings: 4.3 star average on Amazon
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2Suede shampoo Suede shampoo works well for the sheepskin material on UGGs because it helps restore the nap without leaving behind any stains or damage. One of the most popular suede shampoos is Pink Miracle Shoe Cleaner.
- Pros: Works on all materials, non-toxic solution, and only takes a few drops for an effective clean
- Cons: Small bottle will run out faster
- Customer Ratings: 4.3 star average on Amazon
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3Suede eraser Suede erasers break apart stains and residue caught in the slipper material, and they work similar to pencil erasers. Just rub the mark with the eraser, and it will lighten up or disappear. A favorite choice for users is the Kiwi Suede and Nubuck Stain Eraser.
- Pros: Easy to use, removes scuffs and scratches easily, and small enough to bring with you when you’re on the go
- Cons: Won’t always work on larger, deep-set stains,
- Customer Ratings: 4.3 star average on Amazon
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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If you have trouble getting your UGGs clean at home, take them to a shoe repair shop or leather cleaner to have them professionally done.Thanks
Warnings
- Avoid putting your UGG slippers in your washing machine because the material may get damaged by the cycle.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/UFVlQ3ee3_Q?t=173
- ↑ https://youtu.be/N2MuhGT1wig?t=635
- ↑ https://youtu.be/fNCDxR42Ko4?t=30
- ↑ https://youtu.be/fNCDxR42Ko4?t=46
- ↑ https://youtu.be/UFVlQ3ee3_Q?t=326
- ↑ https://youtu.be/UFVlQ3ee3_Q?t=336
- ↑ https://youtu.be/fNCDxR42Ko4?t=70
- ↑ https://youtu.be/KkHZGMoRHUI?t=286
- ↑ https://youtu.be/KkHZGMoRHUI?t=313
About This Article
Cleaning your Ugg slippers is relatively easy. Once a week, use a suede brush to clean off any dust and dirt. If you don’t have a suede brush, use a microfiber cloth instead. You can also clean your Ugg slippers with a cleaning spray made for suede or sheepskin material. Just spray your slippers and dab them with a clean sponge. For deeper stains, try using a pencil eraser to scrub them off. Alternatively, mix equal parts warm water and vinegar. Then, rub your slippers with a washrag and your vinegar solution. After you’ve cleaned your slippers, leave them to dry for at least 24 hours in a cool, dry place. For more tips from our Shoe Care co-author, including how to protect your slippers from getting dirty, read on!