The best way to clean your Uggs

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What’s there not to adore about Ugg boots? They keep your feet toasty and comfortable throughout the chilly winter months and go well with a variety of clothes. They also fit those with wide or narrow feet and are incredibly comfy. The sole drawback of these boots? They are prone to get soiled, particularly if you wear them in sludge. Additionally, you cannot simply throw Uggs in the washing machine because they are made of suede. To put it another way, you must be cautious when cleaning them to avoid damaging them.

To make sure you clean your Uggs as thoroughly as possible, we spoke with professionals about the precise procedures you should follow to restore their original appearance. We asked them how to keep them from becoming as filthy in the future in addition to cleaning advice.

GO Ahead and SkipHow to keep your Uggs clean, how to keep them safe, and products that will make cleaning them easier

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How to clean your Uggs

Your Uggs may be filthy from last year’s wear, or you may have stepped in a muddy puddle. In any event, if you’re prepared to clean your boots, you should proceed cautiously. According to William Wong, director of Arterton, a company that specializes in clothing bags and shoe care products, they are constructed of suede, which can be challenging to maintain. However, proper cleaning can improve their appearance, preserve their color, and lengthen their lifespan. The procedures listed below are what our specialists advise you to do while cleaning your Uggs.

• 
  Step one:
  
  Start by brushing your boots with a suede brush. This type of brush has rigid bristles so that the nap (or the texture) of the material is raised when you run it over the shoe and dust gets brushed off, says Wong. You want to brush in downward motions to go with the suede s grain, rather than against it.

• 
  Step two:
  
  Wet your Uggs with a damp sponge. You want to avoid soaking then, as that can cause water stains. But slightly dampening them can help wash away additional dirt.

• 
  Step three:
  
  For a deeper clean, wipe boots down with a suede shampoo, says Wong. Mix a shampoo that is specially formulated for suede with water (preferably distilled or at least low mineral content tap water) and lather it gently into the boots. Let dry, and then brush the nap before fully dry.

• 
  Step four:
  
  If you still notice lingering stains like water or dirt stains try a suede eraser, says Simon Elliott, the founder and operations director of custom clothing brand

  Clifton

  . This type of eraser is made from a crumbly rubber that penetrates the suede to lift the stains as you rub it over the affected material. You may find the eraser leaves behind some debris, just dust it off and your stain should be gone or at least minimized, says Elliott.

How to clean the inside of your Uggs

Ugg boots are lined with soft sheepskin, which can make it tempting to skip socks when wearing them. Naturally, if you do that, your feet might perspire, which would eventually cause your shoes’ interior to smell a little nasty. Also, the fluffy sheepskin can eventually flatten out and get matted. The experts we spoke to suggested sprinkling a few teaspoons of baking soda inside your boots to neutralize any unpleasant scents. Let the baking soda sit overnight, then use your suede brush to brush the baking soda out and fluff the sheepskin back up.

How to protect your Uggs

Knowing how to clean your Uggs is important. Preventing them from becoming really unclean in the first place is equally crucial. One of the best things you can do to prevent stains and damage is to spray the suede down with a protective spray regularly, Eric Neuner, CEO of the shoe repair companyNuShoe. These sprays repel water and other liquids that may stain your Uggs.

Before applying a suede protector, test it on a small area to ensure it works with your boots. From there, Neuner says you ll need to apply the protector semi-regularly. How often, really depends on the frequency in which you wear your Uggs. If you only wear them occasionally, once or twice a year should work. If you wear them all the time, opt for once a month. By regularly using a protector, you should have to clean your Uggs a bit less frequently.

Products that will help you clean your Uggs

Below, we ve rounded up highly rated products to help you clean Uggs and other suede shoes. Every item on this list follows guidance recommended by our experts and has at least a 4-star average rating from hundreds of reviews.

Ugg Sheepskin and Suede Shoe Care Kit

Ugg Sheepskin and Suede Shoe Care Kit

Made by Ugg, this cleaning kit comes with a protector, cleaner and a renew spray that can help freshen up the inside of your boots. The kit also comes with a suede brush to dust away dirt and an eraser for stubborn stains. This kit comes in a slide-out box to easily store everything and has a 4.5-star average rating from over 16,300 reviews on Amazon.

Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner

Shacke Suede & Nubuck 4-Way Leather Brush Cleaner

Just looking for a brush? This one has different bristles on all four sides. One side has rubber bristles that gently remove dirt; two sides have thinner brushes to get in crevices; the final side has metal brushes for a deeper clean, according to the brand. The combo of all these different brushes can give your boots a more comprehensive clean and ensure you remove as much dirt as possible. This brush has a 4.5-star average rating from over 12,300 reviews on Amazon.

Takavu Premium Suede & Nubuck Cleaning Brush Kit

Takavu Premium Suede & Nubuck Cleaning Brush Kit

Another brush option, this set, includes two different brushes. The first is a rubber brush that can wipe away larger dirt particles, while the second has stiff bristles that can get deep into the nap of your suede to pull out smaller specks of dust. The set, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 500 reviews on Amazon, also includes a stain eraser to help address water stains and other stubborn marks.

Crep Protect Ultimate Scuff Eraser

Crep Protect Ultimate Scuff Eraser

Crep s eraser is made to remove scuff marks and stains. The pocket sized tool comes in a tin carrying case, making it easy to carry around so you can address stains as soon as they pop up. To use it, simply rub it over the stain, brush away the shavings and your stain should be gone, according to the brand.

Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof

Nikwax Nubuck & Suede Proof

As our experts mentioned, one of the best ways to keep your Ugg boots clean is to prevent stains in the first place. This protector, which has a 4.4-star average rating from over 5,500 reviews on Amazon, can add water resistance to your boots, according to the brand. It comes in a spray bottle to make it quick and easy to spritz all over your shoes. After spraying your boots, let the formula sink in for 24 hours for maximum protection before wearing them, according to the brand.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• 
  William Wong
  
  is the director of

  Arterton

  , which specializes in garment bags and shoe care tools.

• 
  Simon Elliott
  
  is the founder and operations director of custom clothing brand

  Clifton

  .

• 
  Eric Neuner
  
  is the CEO of the shoe repair company

  NuShoe

  .

Why trust NBC Select?

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed experts on how to clean your Uggs.

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