Will UGGs Get Ruined in the Rain?

UGGs have gone in and out of fashion for the past couple of decades; now, it seems everyone has become obsessed with them again in 2022. Australian sheepskin boots are well-known for being warm and comfortable. But how practical are they, and what type of weather can you wear them in?

UGG boots will get ruined in the rain. They are not waterproof, and your feet will get soaked. Any amount of water splashed onto your UGGs will result in stains and spots. Cleaning water stains from sheepskin is especially difficult.

This article will review how UGGs handle different weather conditions and why iconic boots aren’t as practical as most of us think. I’ll also show you how to care for your UGG boots if they ever get water stains. 

Why UGGs Can’t Handle the Rain

UGG Women's Adirondack Boot III Boot, Black, 5

UGG Women's Adirondack Boot III Boot

Even though Australian surfers first popularized UGGs in the 1960s, they actually don’t do very well in water. They are made of natural sheepskin suede, which generally doesn’t respond well to getting wet. For one thing, they tend to lose their shape once soaked in water. 

Light-colored UGGs tend to show water rings after the water dries out, and you might also notice changes in their iconic softness. UGG boots are usually made of twin-faced sheepskin suede, prized for its soft, comforting feel. By wearing them in the rain, you risk losing that feature.

Wearing UGGs in Snowy Weather

Given that they are incredibly warm and cozy, many people tend to wear UGGs during the winter, especially if it’s very snowy. While many models include a slightly more winterized sole, their traction doesn’t compare to other brands of winter boots. In fact, walking in snowy weather with your UGGs might result in more than a few slips and falls.

You might consider wearing them during the winter if you aren’t planning on walking around in the snow anyway. However, you should keep in mind that if any snow gets on your boots, it will leave a water stain that will prove difficult to clean.

In short, I don’t recommend wearing your UGGs on any hikes in rainy or snowy weather, especially if you want to keep them in good condition. If you do resort to using them in those conditions, make sure you handle any stains quickly and clean your UGGs regularly. 

How to Clean Stains from Your UGGs

UGG Women's Bailey Button Triplet II Winter Boot, Chestnut, 5 B US

UGG Women's Bailey Button Triplet II Winter Boot

You might have exposed your UGG boots to water before you read this article, and now you have stained, misshapen boots. Even if you are careful, you still might stain them in a million ways. Don’t worry—there’s still hope. You can bring them back to their best look, even though it takes some time and effort. 

Cleaning Water Stains on UGGs

Ironically, the best thing to do when part of your UGGs gets wet is to wet the rest of the boot evenly. Wetting the entire boot ensures there aren’t rings left behind when the water dries. If the strains have already formed, use a damp towel to blot the whole exterior of the boot evenly. 

If the stains are apparent, purchase a suede cleaner and follow the instructions on the package carefully. You may need to repeat the process for the best results because suede is tough to clean

Giving Your UGG Boots Their Shape Back

Once your UGGs are completely wet, they are prone to losing their shape. The last thing you want is to have floppy boots, so you must ensure that they dry upright. A trick that works really well is to put rolled-up towels inside the boots while they dry.

Make sure you air-dry your UGGs, and never use a blow dryer on them. Even if you use the dryer on the ‘cool’ air setting, you risk ruining them with no hope for repair. 

Removing Salt Stains from UGGs

If you step in water with a high concentration of salt, you risk forming salt stains on your boots. They form when seawater or hard water rainfall comes in contact with your UGGs and leaves a white residue mainly composed of minerals. You can also get salt stains from salt people put on the streets and driveways to melt ice. 

Salt stains are a little more difficult to clean when compared to regular water stains. Here are a few steps to help you through the process:

  1. Dilute white vinegar by mixing it with equal parts of water.
  2. Use a clean cloth to dab at the stain using the diluted white vinegar.
  3. After thoroughly cleaning the stain, you can use a clean cloth dipped in water to rinse your boots. If they get too wet, make sure to air dry them with roll towels as explained above. 

Cleaning Dirt, Mud, or Other Stains

UGG Classic Solene Mini Boot, Charcoal, Size 7

UGG Women's Classic Solene Mini Ankle Boot

Water and salt are tough stains to get out of your UGG boots, but they’re not as tricky as mud and other stains. Most of the time, it’s best to wait for the mud or other dirt to dry completely. Then, you can brush away the crusty dirt from your boots and proceed to clean them. 

I highly recommend using a suede cleaner for severe stains. Otherwise, you risk setting the stain permanently. Also, make sure you are only dabbing or blotting. Rubbing can damage sheepskin more than the stain itself, especially when you aren’t doing it right. 

If you’ve already followed the instructions for using a suede cleaner and gentle cleansing isn’t removing a tough stain, you may need to buff it off. You can use an emery board or a pumice stone to buff the stain before using a cleaner. 

Avoid applying heat to your boots; that’s the fastest to set a stain and permanently 

damage the material. Also, never throw them in your washer because they don’t do well with physical agitation, even on the gentle cycle.

Final Thoughts

Your UGGs aren’t going to stay in good condition if you expose them to rain or any other wet conditions. Cleaning stains from your UGG boots isn’t easy, so avoid rainy or snowy weather altogether. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your UGGs is the only surefire way to preserve them. 

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