8 DIY Cleaning Tricks for Keeping Your UGG Boots Looking New

UGG boots are all the rage and because they are not all that cheap, it is important to take good care of them. Most people don’t have a couple hundred bucks lying around to replace their boots just because they look dirty or have a few stains.

There are effective and safe ways that you can tackle those stains, renew your boots and even refresh them so that they look and feel new. You don’t actually have to invest in expensive treatments or cleaners, either. There are many ways that you can keep those UGGs looking new without spending a fortune or a lot of time.

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We have collected a list of great ways to renew those UGGs and make them last longer. Whether you have inadvertently shrunk your boots, have picked up a few stains or you just want to make older boots look new again, there are tips in here for every possible situation.

Cleaning UGG Boots

Generally cleaning your boots is a good way to keep them looking great for a longer period of time. You should pick up a stick brush that you can use to remove any surface dirt. If you try to deep clean the boots without removing surface dirt, you are going to end up pushing that dirt into the leather. Once all the surface dirt is removed, just gently scrub your UGGs with a damp cloth. Use as little water as possible so that you don’t over-drench your boots. Too much water could cause them to stretch. Once you have finished cleaning, stuff newspapers, socks or old rags into the boots until they look as they should. This will keep them from losing their shape as they dry. Allow them to sit and dry for at least 24 hours in a cool, dry place. Never put them in direct sunlight to dry because sunlight can cause wrinkling.

Deodorizing UGG Boots

Leather tends to carry an odor, particularly with older boots. Fake UGGs will typically develop an odor faster than real leather because cheaper materials tend not to breathe as well as real leather so fake boots can lead to sweating and the buildup of bacteria. Whether your boots are real or not, you can use a good suede cleaner to clean the outside and then add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to each boot, allow them to sit for about 24 hours and then simply turn them upside down and shake the powder out. You can also use foot powder like Gold Bond to get the same result and this can be done weekly or as often as needed.

Removing Excess Grime

If your boots have a buildup of dirt and grime, you don’t necessarily have to have a specific cleaner. You can simply use leather or suede shampoo which you can find in the shoe sections of most stores. Just follow the directions for the cleaner and give the boots a good scrubbing to remove the dirt and grime. Note that some shampoos may affect the coloring or appearance of your boots so you may not end up with the exact same shade as you had when they were new. They will however, look clean and sparkling when you are finished. Remember to stuff them with newspaper or old socks or rags and let them sit for at least 24 hours so that they don’t lose their shape. You can purchase a product called Suede Renew that works wonders for UGGs and other suede type boots and shoes.

Renewing the Color

If your boots have faded due to age, wear or cleaning, you can purchase a suede dye and simply redo the color. Suede dye is sold at most shoe stores and you can get it in a number of different colors and shades. If you have cleaned a spot that caused a fade on the boots or you simply want them to look brand spanking new again, you can just dye them which is perfectly safe. Sheepskin can be safely dyed with suede dye and it will not cause damage to the integrity of the boot. If you are planning to dye your boots, remember to stuff them with something to help them hold their shape and leave them stuffed until the dye has completely dried.

Removing Tough Stains

Grease and other oily stains can be hard to lift on suede. If you have a greasy stain on your UGGs, you need a little chalk, cornstarch or talcum powder. Just sprinkle or dust the powder or chalk on the stain and allow it to sit for at least a few hours. Overnight is a good length of time. The powder or cornstarch will absorb the stain and it should be gone by morning. If it is still there, you can do this a couple of times and leave it sitting for a few hours each time to make sure you get the entire stain. Once the stain is gone, clean the boots to get the entire surface the same coloring.

When UGGs Shrink

Washing or getting your UGGs wet could cause them to shrink. Sheepskin is known to be easy to shrink so if you were caught out in the rain or you cleaned your boots and they are now a bit too tight, you can stretch them back into shape. You will need to stuff the boots with newspaper, rags or anything you want to hold their shape. Once you have them stuffed, wet them just a bit and allow them to sit for at least 24 hours. The wetness will allow the material to stretch and you can begin wearing them again. You can also just put them on after wetting them although you will need to stuff them when you take them off if they are not completely dry or they will simply shrink again.

Removing Hard Stains from UGGs

If you have harder stains such as marker, you can remove them and save your UGGs. You will need hairspray which you just spray on the stain. Hairspray works well for ink and other stains like it. Just spray the hairspray and allow it to sit for just a few hours. Then take a teaspoon of Dawn dishwashing soap and a damp cloth to coat the stain. Allow this to dry. You don’t have to wash out the Dawn and remember to avoid sunlight when you are drying your UGGs. If you notice any stain left, you can retreat with hairspray and do the cleaning steps again to remove any traces of ink from your boots.

Avoiding Stains and Problems

The best way to protect your UGGs and ensure that you don’t have any stains or wetness problems is to treat them with a protectant. There are a number of products on the market that will allow you to seal your boots against moisture and help to protect them from a number of stains. Make sure that you are getting a product that is safe for use on leather or suede and you should treat them before you get caught out in the rain. By eliminating water’s affect on your UGGs you can help to prevent shrinking and stretching as well.