There is no doubt about it! UGGS are comfortable.
However, what can a person do if after owning a pair for a while, they start to look dirty? Or worse yet, what if they start to smell?
Can’t I just throw my UGGS in the washing machine add some detergent and call it a day?
In this post, we are going to answer that question as well as offer some tips for keeping your slippers clean and smelling fresh at all times.
Let’s start by looking at these questions one by one and then we will take a look at some great tips for keeping them clean.
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The first question we are going to take a look at is…
Can I put my UGGS in the washing machine? (Slippers, Boots, Moccasins)
The answer: No, you can not clean your UGGS in a washing machine. Authentic UGGS are made with suede which can easily be damaged if you put them in a washer. Instead, follow the tips below to clean your footwear without ruining them.
But you might be thinking, “Yeah, but my friend does it all the time and her slippers look great.” Well if your friends are doing it, chances are that they aren’t authentic UGG slippers because authentic ones are made with suede which can be damaged if put into the washer.
Sure they will come out clean, but they probably will come out misshapen. So, in order to avoid ruining your slippers, it is best to do it by hand. I know it is going to take a little bit more effort but just think about the benefits of your hard work.
To learn more about how to clean your UGG slippers follow the same steps in the previous post entitled: How do I clean my UGG boots without ruining them? I know this article was written with boots in mind, but the same principles apply.
Next question…
Can I put my UGGS in the dryer? ( This applies to boots, slippers, and even moccasins)
The answer: No, you can not put your UGGS in the dryer. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to wash and dry your slippers. Drying sheepskin too quickly can cause them to shrink which can lead to irreversible damage. This goes for not just a dryer, by any heat source.
This is worth repeating, DO NOT place your slippers near a heat source in hopes of them drying quicker. They won’t. It will only ruin them.
The best way to dry your slippers is to place towels, tissues, or newspapers on the inside and allow them to air dry overnight.
How To Clean The Inside Of UGGS (especially if they begin to smell)
Vinegar. When things start to get smelly you are going to need to use a strong detergent that is going to kill off the fungus that is causing the odor. One of the first such solutions that come to mind might be Bleach. Do not use bleach! Sure it will kill the fungus, but it will damage your slippers.
Keep in mind, as we mentioned before, we love UGG slippers because they are comfortable and soft. We want them to stay that way.
With that being said, a great solution for cleaning the inside of both your UGG slippers and boots is vinegar. Simply mix 1 to 1 water and vinegar. Keep in mind that vinegar can also be a very powerful solution. In order to prevent it from doing more harm than good, start off small and work toward using more.
Once you have the solution, use a white rag to get into those difficult areas in your slippers. Do not use a colored rag as sometimes the dye can come out onto your shoes ruining them.
Of course, whenever applying a new solution to your house shoes, make sure to test an area first. If you see any discoloration, do not use.
Baking Soda. Another easy solution for smelly slippers that almost all of us already have in our homes is baking soda. Yes, this stuff works great in keeping not just your slippers or boots, but all types of shoes smelling fresh.
The best way to use it is to put some baking soda into your slippers overnight. In the morning, simply dump out the remaining baking soda and you are ready to go.
During the night the baking soda will absorb any foul-smelling odors and leave you with sweet-smelling feet. Well, maybe not sweet-smelling feet, but at least the slippers smell fresh.
In addition, this tip works great in combination with tip number one, vinegar. Just make sure your house slippers are completely dry from the vinegar solution before adding baking soda.
Inserts. Another solution to clean insides that many have overlooked is using inserts. And you will be happy to know that yes UGG has a very comfortable sheepskin slipper insert (found here).
Now that we have learned that an insert is available, how can we use it to get the most out of our slipper?
I thought of two different ways to use this insert. The first way is to start using the insert the first day you take your slippers out of the box. Once things start to look a little crummy, you can simply discard the old one and insert a new one. Not only will this help to keep things fresh, but it will help to protect the original sole.
Another way to use the insert to get the most of your slippers is to insert it when things are looking bad. What I mean by this is when the original soles are either looking bad or not as comfortable as they once were.
In this situation, simply buy a new insert and they are good as new again.
Prevention. Of course one of the best ways to keep things clean in the first place is having a good prevention plan. That is what I like most about the UGG brand. Not only do they offer a good product, but they want that product to last the customers (you and I) for a long time. For that reason, they have provided a cleaning kit that also includes a waterproofing spray.
Now you might be thinking: Why would I want to use a waterproof spray if I never plan on leaving the house with my slippers? Well, not only does this spray work great for waterproofing, but it also helps to add a layer of stain repellent to your slippers. Hey, you never can plan when breakfast is going to fall on your new slippers. However, having them protected will make them easier to clean later.
You can apply this spray in two different ways. The first time you take the shoes out of the box, or after its first cleaning.
Once you have thoroughly cleaned your slippers and allowed them a good 24 hours to dry and simply spray on the waterproofing spray. This will help to prevent stains and thus prevent you from having to clean them every few months.
Take advantage of this spray from day one and continue to use it throughout the life of your slippers. It really makes a difference and can help to keep stains/smells away.
Final Thoughts….
Wouldn’t it be nice to just be able to throw our UGGS in the wash and let the machine do its thing? Or wouldn’t it be nice to sink our toes into nice and WARM slippers that have just come out of the dryer?
Unfortunately, however, that just isn’t possible. Or at least, not if we want them to come out the same way they went in.
However, by applying the above suggestions, with a little elbow grease you can keep our slippers looking clean and smelling fresh.
How do you clean your UGGS footwear? Please share your thoughts in the comments below..
