How to Get Stains Out of Uggs: Your Definitive Guide to Saving Your Cozy Boots

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 | Tested By: The BootsGuru 

It’s a feeling every Ugg owner knows well: that slow-motion moment you watch a splash of salt water, a drop of coffee, or—heaven forbid—a bit of greasy food hit your pristine suede. Your heart sinks, and you think you’ve ruined your favorite, coziest footwear.

As experts who’ve tested all the cleaning tricks (and fixed plenty of mistakes), we’re here to tell you: Don’t panic, but also, step away from the sink. Most Ugg stains are fixable, but the wrong move right now will do more damage than the stain itself. This guide draws on real-world experience and professional advice to show you exactly how to safely clean your boots without turning them into garbage.

Gently cleaning Uggs is key to removing stains without causing damage.

The Golden Rules: What NOT to Do (Read This First!)

Before you touch a cleaner, you need to know the critical mistakes that permanently damage suede and sheepskin. This is the most important section for preventing disasters.

• NEVER use the Washing Machine or Dryer. Seriously. This will destroy the shape, materials, and the glue holding the sole on. It’s the fastest way to turn those expensive boots into a toss-away item.
• NEVER use Direct Heat. Avoid hairdryers, radiators, or fireplaces. Stuffing them with paper and letting them air dry naturally is the safest way. Direct heat makes the suede brittle and cracked.
• NEVER use Harsh Detergents. Don’t grab Windex, dish soap, or household cleaners. These strip the natural oils from the material and often cause permanent discoloration or water spots. (If you use a cleaner, it must be a mild, specialist suede/wool soap).
• NEVER Scrub a Wet Stain, especially Grease. You will just push the oil or dirt deeper into the delicate material. Always blot wet stains.
• NEVER Clean Only the Spot. If you use water or liquid cleaner on one stain, you must clean the entire boot for a uniform finish. Otherwise, you will be left with a noticeable water ring.

get stains out of uggs

Your Essential Cleaning Toolkit

You can either grab a dedicated suede and sheepskin cleaning kit (which often includes a cleaner, protector, brush, and eraser) or use simple household items.

How to Tackle Specific Stains

Different stains need different starting points. It’s crucial to correctly identify the stain first.

1. How to Get Out Grease or Oil Stains (Avocado, Butter, etc.)

This is usually a high-panic stain, but it’s fixable if you act fast.

1. Do NOT Use Water. Blot any excess oil immediately with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Apply Powder. Generously cover the stain with an absorbent powder like cornstarch, talcum powder, or white chalk.
3. Wait it Out. Let the powder sit for at least 12–24 hours. This allows the powder to pull the oil out of the suede. Repeat this step if necessary for tough oil stains.
4. Brush Off. Gently brush the powder off (ideally outdoors).
5. Wet Clean (If needed). If a mark remains, you can then proceed with the full Standard Cleaning Method (see Section 4, below).

2. How to Get Out Salt Stains (The Winter Enemy)

Salt stains are common in winter and appear white or powdery.

1. Brush First. Let the boot dry completely. Use your suede brush to brush off any loose, white salt crystals.
2. Mix the Solution. Create a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and cool water. The vinegar helps dissolve the salt.
3. Blot the Stain. Dampen a white cloth with the vinegar solution and gently blot *only* the salt-stained areas.
4. Clean the Whole Boot. You must follow this by applying the full Standard Cleaning Method (Section 4) to clean the entire boot and prevent the vinegar spot from turning into a water ring.

3. How to Get Out Mud Stains

Patience is key here—you must wait for the mud to dry completely.

1. Let it Dry. Do not touch wet mud. Let the mud dry and cake on entirely.
2. Brush it Off. Once caked and dry, use your suede brush to carefully break off and brush away all the dried dirt.
3. Erase. For any remaining discoloration, use your suede eraser.
4. Wet Clean (If needed). If the stain persists, follow the Standard Cleaning Method (Section 4).

The Standard Wet Cleaning Method (Dirt, Water Marks, General Cleaning)

This is the main, step-by-step process you’ll use after tackling a spot, or for general maintenance.

Proper drying, stuffed with paper and away from heat, is crucial.

Step 1: Dry Brush

Start with a completely dry boot. Use your suede brush to gently brush the entire boot in one direction, removing loose debris and prepping the nap (the velvety surface).

Step 2: Get Ready to Wet

The goal when dealing with water stains or heavy dirt is to get the entire boot evenly wet so you don’t create new water rings. Lightly dampen a clean, white cloth or sponge with cool water. Gently blot the entire boot exterior. You want the suede to be damp, but not dripping or soaking wet.

Step 3: Apply Cleaner (Optional)

If you are using a dedicated suede cleaner or a diluted mild soap solution, apply a small amount (like the size of a dime) to your damp sponge or cloth (never directly onto the boot). Gently scrub the entire area, working up a good lather to lift the stains.

Step 4: Rinse and Blot

Rinse your cloth, wring it out well, and go over the entire boot again with the clean, damp cloth to remove all cleaner residue. When blotting, use a dabbing and twisting motion with the towel; this helps pull up moisture and starts lifting the nap.

Step 5: Start the Drying Process

Use a dry medium brush to brush the material back and forth and side to side while it’s still damp. This promotes movement in the material and helps it dry faster without getting too stiff. The color variation you see at this stage is a sign that the material is moving correctly.

Step 6: Stuff and Air Dry

Stuff the boots firmly with paper towels, rolled-up paper, or shoe trees to hold their shape and prevent wrinkles. Let them air dry naturally for 24–48 hours, away from sunlight or direct heat.

Step 7: Re-Fluff the Nap

Once the boot is 100% dry, use your suede brush again. Gently brush the entire exterior in one direction *only* to restore the velvety texture and lift the nap.

With the right method, you can restore suede boots from ‘before’ to ‘after’.

Cleaning the Inside (The Fluffy Sheepskin Lining)

If your boots are starting to smell or the lining is matted, here’s how to freshen them up.

• Deodorizing (Easy Method): Grab some baking soda and sprinkle a generous amount inside the boot. Shake it around, and let it sit overnight. The next morning, shake out or gently vacuum the excess baking soda.
• Deep Cleaning: If the lining is stained, lightly dampen a cloth with plain water and wipe the interior first. If it’s still dirty, use a cloth dampened with a very mild, wool-safe soap or specialist wool detergent, and cool water. Gently blot the lining, then blot again with a cloth and plain water to rinse away soap residue. Stuff and let them air dry completely.
• Restoring Fluff: Use a small brush (like a pet brush or clean toothbrush) to gently lift and remove lint and debris trapped in the matted sock liner.

The Final Step: Protection is Prevention

After all that hard work, the last thing you want is a new stain. The best defense is a good offense: apply a waterproofing spray.

Protecting your clean Uggs with a suede-safe spray is the most important step.

1. Make Sure They Are Bone Dry: The boots must be clean and 100% dry before applying the protector.
2. Use the Right Product: You *must* use a spray specifically designed for Suede & Nubuck.
3. Application: Take the boots to a well-ventilated area. Hold the can 6–8 inches away and spray the entire boot evenly. Avoid oversaturating or soaking it.
4. Dry Again: Let them dry naturally for at least 24 hours.
5. Upkeep: Re-apply the protector every few months or at the start of the wet season for continued protection.

clean uggs

Honest Q&A: Troubleshooting Cleaning Issues

We’re telling it like it is: Uggs are tricky, and sometimes cleaning them presents new challenges.