How to Clean Black Uggs

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
  2. 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]
    Advertisement
  3. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • 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. 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.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Fixing Color Damage

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
  2. 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]
    • If possible, dye your boots on a flat surface outside.
  3. 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]
    • 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. 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]
    • You may want to wear old clothes as well, to prevent your clothing from becoming stained.
  5. 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]
    • 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. 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]
  7. 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]
    8. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Removing Stains

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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]
  2. 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]
  3. 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]
    • 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. After removing a stain, use your regular cleaning process on your UGG® boots. Give them a surface clean using vinegar and water. [15]
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you remove odors from UGG boots?
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    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.
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How do you clean stains off UGGs?
    Marc Sigal
    Shoe Care Specialist
    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.
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Spot Fake Ugg Boots vs. Authentic Products
      How to
      Break in Your Doc Martens
      How to
      Style Timberland Boots
      How to
      Lace Timberlands
      How to
      Clean Ugg Slippers
      How to
      Tuck Jeans into Boots
      11 Stylish Outfit Combos to Rock Doc Martens at Any Age
      How to
      Wear Men's Boots with Jeans
      How to
      Keep Boots from Slouching at the Ankle
      How to
      Lace Boots
      How to
      Clean Ugg Boots
      How to
      Keep over the Knee Boots Up
      How to
      Wear Ankle Boots With Dresses
      How to
      Clean Stinky Winter Boots
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-get-salt-stains-off-shoes/
      2. ↑ http://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-get-salt-stains-off-shoes/
      3. ↑ http://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-get-salt-stains-off-shoes/
      4. ↑ http://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-get-salt-stains-off-shoes/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjahn-kxcs
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjahn-kxcs
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjahn-kxcs
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjahn-kxcs
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjahn-kxcs
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjahn-kxcs
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjahn-kxcs
      3. ↑ http://www.diyncrafts.com/3980/fashion/8-diy-cleaning-tricks-keeping-ugg-boots-looking-new
      4. ↑ http://www.diyncrafts.com/3980/fashion/8-diy-cleaning-tricks-keeping-ugg-boots-looking-new
      5. ↑ http://www.diyncrafts.com/3980/fashion/8-diy-cleaning-tricks-keeping-ugg-boots-looking-new
      6. ↑ http://www.diyncrafts.com/3980/fashion/8-diy-cleaning-tricks-keeping-ugg-boots-looking-new

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 61,809 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement