Cleaning Ugg Boots
Ugg boots are some of the most comfortable footwear on the market today, but unfortunately, they also have a tendency to be quite difficult to clean. Uggs are made out of sheepskin, and sheepskin is incredibly delicate, and thus hard to clean. For this reason, you must exercise extreme care when approaching the cleaning of your Uggs. The worst thing you can do is to throw your Uggs in the washing machine and then put them in the dryer. That is a certain way to ruin your Uggs. Proper cleaning practices are essential for ensuring the long life of your Uggs.
The first thing you need is a suede brush. If you don’t already have one, you should be able to purchase one at a local shoe store. They’re cheap and they will be immensely helpful in cleaning your boots. Once you’ve got your brush, give your boots a once over with it. This initial brushing will help to remove dirt and dust from the surface. When using your suede brush, be sure to brush only in a single direction.
As a second step, fill a bowl with cold water, and use a brand new sponge to lightly wet the surface of your boots. As a natural cleaner, you can combine one cup of white vinegar and one cup of cold distilled water. Using a sponge, dip it into the solution and slowly work it over the sheepskin surface of your Uggs. The best way to go is from top to bottom, in a circular motion. Be sure that you do not use too much cleaning solution. You do not want to douse your boots in it, all you need is a little bit, refreshing the solution often. When you reach the bottom of your Uggs, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean the soles.
Now you must remove the cleaner. Fill another large bowl with cold distilled water. About 3 or 4 cups should be fine. Now get a sponge wet and wring it out, so that there is very little liquid retained in it, and use it to go over the boots. Make sure you rinse the sponge often so that you can effectively remove the cleaner.
Once you are certain that all the cleaning solution has been removed from the surface of your Uggs, it is time to set about drying them. The best way to do this is to stuff your boots with something that will help them keep their form. It isn’t recommended to use newspaper, since the newsprint can rub off on the insides of your Uggs. Paper towels should work fine for your drying purposes. It is extremely important to make sure that your boots dry slowly. Do not use any heat source to speed up the drying process. They should dry naturally and slow. If they dry too quickly, your boots are likely to develop cracks. Upon initial drying, your Uggs may be a little tight. But this is normal and they will stretch out with a little wear.
When your Uggs have completely dried, the final step of the cleaning process is deodorizing. Sift two tablespoons full of baking soda into the openings of your Uggs, and then holding them closed, shake them vigorously. This will help coat the entire inside of the boots. Let them sit overnight, and then shake the baking soda out of them. This process will help remove odors.
As a last touch, you want to give your Ugg boots a last going over. You can use the suede brush you used earlier to help restore the clean fresh shine to your boots. When they initially dry, your boots may appear a bit stiff and crunchy. That’s why this last cleaning component is helpful. Thoroughly brushing the sheepskin with your suede brush will significantly improve the appearance of your boots. Again, make sure you brush in only one direction, going over the entire surface. This will help make your boots soft again.
A Few Final Tips for Ugg Care
A suede or leather protector applied immediately upon the purchase of your Uggs will be extremely helpful in sustaining their long life and help prevent stains. Be mindful of where you choose to wear your Uggs. Don’t wear them when it’s raining or snowing, or if you will be somewhere muddy. Chalk or talcum powder will help remove grease from your Uggs. If your Uggs get significantly stained, you can use an extremely fine grain sandpaper to remove the stains.
