How to Clean Black Uggs

Co-authored by Marc Sigal

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

Cleaning

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Fixing Color Damage

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Removing Stains

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Expert Q&A

UGG® boots are expensive, so you want to be sure to clean them regularly. Black boots are particularly important to clean as stains show up easily. For routine cleaning, you can use white vinegar and water. If the color fades during the cleaning process, you can re-dye the boots as needed using black suede dye. Set in stains can be removed with corn starch or talcum powder.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning

1
Brush off your UGGS® with a microfiber cloth. You can purchase a microfiber cloth at most drug stores or department stores. To start cleaning your boots, rub your boots down with a microfiber cloth to remove any obvious residue, dirt, and debris.^{[1]
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2
Create a cleaner using vinegar and water. UGG® boots are cleaned with a combination of equal parts white vinegar and water. In a small bowl, mix equal parts vinegar and water until you have an even mixture.^{[2]
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3
Dab on your cleaner. Use a white cloth or rag to apply your cleaner. Gently dab the cleaner onto the boots. When necessary, use wiping motions to get out set in dirt or stains. Only use as much cleaner as is needed to remove stains.^{[3]
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- It is vital that you only use a white cloth or rag to clean UGG® boots. Color from a darker rag may bleed into the boots and damage them.
4
Let the UGGS® air dry. Heat can crack suede, so you should always let the boots air dry. To help the boots dry evenly, stuff them with newspaper so they stand up straight. Put them in a safe place where they will not be disturbed. Do not wear them again until they're completely dry.^{[4]
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- How long the boots will take to dry depends on how much cleaner you had to use. Boots may dry in a few hours if you only did a mild cleaning, while boots may need to dry overnight if you did an extensive cleaning.
5
Use a protectant spray to keep your boots clean. You should buy an conditioner specifically made for UGGS®. This may be purchasable at a store that sells UGGS®, but you can also order off the company website. In a well-ventilated area outdoors, shake the bottle a few times. Then, spray a layer of the spray on your boots. When you're done, the boots should be slightly wet but not soaked.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Fixing Color Damage

1
Buy suede dye. You can buy a suede dye at a craft store or online. Choose a black dye that matches your boots. You will need a black dye to touch up your boots if there is any fading due to cleaning.^{[5]
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2
Prepare a cleaning station. Dye can get messy. You do not want to get any dye on your floor or carpeting. Lay down newspaper or tart over the area where you're going to dye your boots.^{[6]
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- If possible, dye your boots on a flat surface outside.
3
Stuff the boots with newspaper. This will keep the boots standing upright as you work. Ball up some old newspaper and stuff them in the boots so they stand tall and stiff.^{[7]
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- If you do not have newspaper, you can use any type of old paper. Rip pages out of magazines or ball up printer paper.
4
Wear protective gloves. Dye can stain your fingers and hands. Put on a pair of rubber gloves, or another type of protective gloves, when working with dye.^{[8]
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- You may want to wear old clothes as well, to prevent your clothing from becoming stained.
5
Apply the dye to faded areas. Your dye kit should come with a brush. If it does not, buy a small paint brush from a hardware store. Pour your dye into a ceramic or glass bowl. Dab the brush in the bowl and apply dye liberally to faded areas.^{[9]
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- Use gentle, swiping motions to apply the dye.
- Blend the dye out slightly into the surrounding areas of the boot so the contrast does not look dramatic.
6
Add a second coat if necessary. If there are still stains and lightened portions peeking through the dye, apply a second coat. You may also find, after the dye dries, a second coat is necessary. Dye may get lighter as it dries.^{[10]
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7
Let the boots dry completely. Set the boots in a safe place where they will not be disturbed. Keep them out of reach of children and animals. You should leave them to dry overnight. Do not handle your boots or wear them out until the dye dries completely.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Stains

1
Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder over your boots. Grease and oil are difficult to remove from suede. If your UGG® boots are stained with these substances, use cornstarch or talcum powder to remove them. To start, sprinkle the cornstarch or talcum powder over the stained area.^{[12]
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2
Let the powder sit on overnight. Find a safe place for the boots where they will not be disturbed. You do not want the powder to come off prematurely. Place them in an area away from children and animals. Allow the talcum powder or cornstarch to sit on overnight.^{[13]
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3
Dust off the boots. In the morning, you can dust the cornstarch or talcum powder off the boots. Much of the stain should be absorbed by the powder. If the stain is still present, repeat the process once more.^{[14]
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- Unfortunately, set in stains can be hard to remove. If this method does not work for you after repeated attempts, take your shoes to a professional cleaner.
4
Clean them as you normally would. After removing a stain, use your regular cleaning process on your UGG® boots. Give them a surface clean using vinegar and water.^{[15]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do you remove odors from UGG boots?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Cleaning the insides of Ugg boots is pretty difficult, but there are a few ways to remove odors. The easiest way to do this is to sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch into your shoes and let them sit out in a well-ventilated area overnight. Then, use the hose attachment on a vacuum to suck out the powder. This should remove most offensive odors.
Question

How do you clean stains off UGGs?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is the Founder of ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox places custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations so you can pick up and drop off items 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Sprinkle white chalk dust or cornstarch on the stain and let it sit overnight to absorb the stain. In the morning, dust off the powder and repeat the process if the stain is still there.
Question

How can I get the smell out of my UGG boots?

Community Answer

Try pouring some baking soda into tissues, balling them up, and placing them in your UGGs overnight. You can also try just spraying them with Febreze.