Ugg boots are trendy winter footwear that have been sported by Ugg lovers globally for more than a decade now, thanks to their fashionable design.
One strong point about these chic boots is that they’re highly durable, since they can last up to five years if well looked after. However, a question that keeps popping up among Ugg lovers is what to do with these old durable boots? If you’d like to find out, keep reading!
What to Do with Old UGGs In 2024
UGG has a repair and restoration program dubbed UGGrenew, meant to extend the lifespan of old classic Ugg boots. This program uses coconut oil and lanolin formulation made of detergents, preservatives, and emulsifiers to condition the old classic Ugg boots’ leather. However, UGG only restores, renews, and refreshes ultra-mini, mini, short, tall chestnut, black, and grey classic UGG boots.
To find out what to do with old Uggs that aren’t eligible for the UGGrenew program, how to transform old Uggs, and more, keep on reading!
How Can You Transform Your Old UGGs?
To transform your pair of old Uggs, start by stuffing each sheepskin footwear with paper towels or newspapers to reshape them back to their original shape.
Consequently, evenly spray a 50/50 ratio of water and white vinegar solution over the entire boot using a spray bottle to lift the boots’ nap.
Then, gently brush their suede exterior in a light circular motion using a suede brush to prevent ruining their delicate outer surface.
Gently blot and rinse your old Ugg boots’ suede all over using a damp white cloth to get rid of excess vinegar and dirt.
Leave your boots underneath a radiator or in a dry and cool place to naturally dry. Avoid placing them under direct sunlight or a direct heat source to protect their outer material.
Once your old Ugg boots are completely dry, remove the stuffing materials and gently brush them using a suede brush to restore their fabric.
Can Old UGGs Boots Be Re-soled?
Unfortunately, old Ugg boots cannot be fully re-soled.
Uggs lack the layer between the outsoles and the upper part that other shoes have into which new outsoles are stitched.
Nevertheless, the existing worn-out old Uggs soles can be leveled off, and flat rubber outsoles added on top of the original soles.
Luckily, if your old Uggs’ upper part is in perfect condition, but their outsoles are completely worn out, you can still use the sheepskin for other purposes (see more below).
Are Old UGGs Recyclable?
Old Ugg boots can be recycled and reused due to their durable and multi-functional sheepskin material.
For Uggs recyclers, as long as the boots don’t end up in a landfill, it doesn’t matter whether they are used to make furniture pads or end up in someone else’s shoe wardrobe.
Here are a few beneficial and practical things you can do with your old Ugg boots if you don’t want to throw them away to fill a landfill:
Repurpose Your Boots
One popular craze on TikTok is that people are giving their old Ugg boots a new lease of life by repurposing them.
You can transform your old tall Ugg boots into mini Uggs using inexpensive items such as a seam ripper, needle and thread, as well as fabric scissors.
To repurpose your Uggs, cut down their shaft towards the ankle using a pair of fabric scissors, snip the boots’ top, and take the threading apart using a seam ripper.
To seal the deal, re-stitch the top of your Uggs using a needle and a thread to close their top seam, and give life to your old taller Uggs by making them smaller.
Donate Your Old UGGs
If your old Ugg boots can still be worn, it’s advisable to donate the fashionable footwear to your local charity.
Charities often sell the donated boots to thrift stores and use the proceeds to fund charitable courses, such as helping the homeless with shelter or food.
Alternatively, you can search for charities that collect shoe donations to distribute to disaster-stricken victims.
Give the Old UGGs to a Friend
In case you have a friend or a family member who wears the same shoe size as yours, you can offer to gift them your old Uggs if they aren’t in bad shape.
While buying a new pair of Ugg boots can be costly, cleaning and repairing old Uggs can cost significantly less, thus saving them some cash.
Even if your old Uggs are in less-than-perfect condition, your friend or family member can visit shoe repair stores and get them fixed for half the price.
Make Furniture Pads
Furniture pads are valuable and must-have items in your house, especially if your home has a hardwood floor.
You can save yourself some cash as well as the hustle and bustle of going to the store by making your own using the Ugg boots’ sheepskin.
Simply measure the dimensions of the legs of your furniture, cut the sheepskin to match the measurements, and affix the sheepskin cutout to your furniture using a quality adhesive.
Make a Sheepskin Rug
Like Ugg boots, quality and original sheepskin rugs can cost an arm and a leg owing to their warm, cozy design.
However, if you have old tall Uggs in your shoe closet lying idle, you can simply cut long strips of their sheepskin exterior and sew them to make a small sheepskin rug.
A small sheepskin rug could make a perfect bathroom accessory or a cozy and warm bed for your companion pet.
Make a Sheepskin Pillow
If making a small sheepskin rug doesn’t strike a chord with you, you can make a sheepskin pillow if the condition of the fleece lining of your old Uggs is in perfect condition.
To make a homemade sheepskin pillow, simply make a clean cut on one side of the old Uggs, starting from the top to the bottom, and stitch the sides, leaving one side open.
Then, buy stuffing material from your local craft store, stuff it into the sheepskin pillow, and stitch the open side.
A sheepskin pillow could be the finishing touch that your bed or couch needs.
Conclusion
There are many different things you can do with your old Uggs since they’re made from a highly durable and multi-functional sheepskin material.
You could opt to enlist them in the UGGrenew program if you intend to continue wearing them, or repurpose their sheepskin material for other practicable uses.