Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 3/22/2010

Question
Hello, I recently looked in my humidor and noticed that the cedar slot for my humidifier was covered in green mold.  My cigars were not moldy, although a couple beside the slot were very squishy. The humidity in my humidor has never been over 75 and is usually around 72.  The cedar slot has been in the corner of my humidor for a year, so maybe it was because the humidity was concentrated in one spot too long.  Should I clean out my humidor with alcohol and remove all cigars, or should I just remove the cedar slot and forget about it since there is no mold anywhere else? Thank you.

Answer
Dan,

There is definitely too much humidity in that area - is it possible that the humidifier is dripping there? That would explain the cigars becoming mushy as well. I'd be more concerned about this problem than the mold. Be sure you are either using distilled water or a propylene glycol solution that is at least 50% water, 50% P.G., and be sure that the humidifier does not drip inside the humidor after you fill it.

Just to be safe, I'd take the cigars out and wipe the humidor out with alcohol or diluted bleach (1 tablespoon in about a pint of water). If you have mold, then you likely have mold spores and you will continue to see mold growing. You may also need to treat the humidifier - if it has any sign of mold either replace it or put a few drops of alcohol/ bleach solution it it.

Hope this helps.
Bill