For any cigar lover, humidor mold is a sight for sore eyes. Opening your humidor and catching a glimpse of this repulsive gray or green discoloration can quickly threaten to extinguish your collection of precious cigars.

Thankfully, a moldy humidor isn’t like moldy bread. It can often be saved (especially if you discover the mold early), so you don’t need to chuck it in the garbage.

Inhibiting and treating mold growth within your humidor can be achieved by following the steps outlined in this guide.

Should you throw out a moldy humidor?

Before deciding on the fate of your humidor, take a moment to examine the mold. It’s important not to confuse the dreaded blue-green tinge with the crystalline greyish white of cigar bloom (plume). The latter is a natural by-product of a cigar aging correctly in a well-maintained humidor.

Plume can be gently brushed off from the cigar’s wrapper, while removing mold’s sticky, pasty texture and musty odor requires much more exertion. Sadly, even when mold is removed, it still leaves a stain.

Mold thrives in high heat and humidity and grows very easily on wood. Given the interior lining of humidors is typically made from Spanish cedar, you can’t afford to let the humidity levels get carried away.

You first need to assess the mold outbreak. If it’s extensive and hits every corner and most surfaces inside your humidor, it’s probably easier to get rid, especially if it’s a cheaper model. However, if your humidor was a pricey investment, you will need to clean it properly to have a shot at saving your prized box. 

The best way to remove humidor mold

First, remove all your cigars from your humidor and categorize them into three groups — heavily infected, salvageable, and unaffected. The cigars that are caked in mold should be discarded immediately.

The salvageable smokes (where the amount of visible mold is minimal) will need a light rub down. Grab a clean cloth and dampen it with isopropyl alcohol — the solution should kill the mold, although it may leave a slight discoloration. Finally, place them in a sealed container and turn your attention to the unaffected cigars.

Simply place the untainted cigars in their separate plastic container, then put them in the fridge with the other container holding the salvageable stogies. Keep both batches in the refrigerator for one to two weeks to assist in slowing down mold growth.

You now have unrestricted access to all corners and surfaces of your humidor. Use this five-step process to eliminate humidor mold and bring your cigar storage box back to life.

1.     Ensure your humidor is clean

Take a brush to the inside, loosen all visible mold, and then meticulously vacuum it. If preferred, lightly sand the interior with #150 extra fine grit sandpaper before brushing. This helps remove any mold spores that may be forming, as well as revive the wonderful natural smell associated with fresh Spanish cedar.

2.     Lightly wipe down the entire interior

Once all discernible mold is removed, you must wipe down every surface on the humidor possible. As you did for the cigars earlier, take a clean cloth or sponge and dampen it with isopropyl alcohol. Use enough solution to moisten the wood and gently wipe down the entire interior lining, including the walls, bottom, and underside of the lid. Be careful not to apply too much liquid — it will soak the wood, causing the material to warp.

This process will kill off any potential mold spores that aren’t visible — but be careful not to overdo it. Another helpful tip is to use cotton swabs for getting in corners.

3.     Use distilled water to clean it again lightly

Once you’ve finished wiping down, give the humidor another vacuum. Then, wipe it down again, but this time use 100% steam distilled water (not the distilled water used for drinking). This dilutes the alcohol that has seeped into the wood, but again, be wary of using excess liquid, as most of the alcohol will evaporate organically.

4.     Let the humidor acclimate

It’s recommended (although not essential) to put a new fully charged humidification device in place following a humidor mold outbreak. The existing one is likely to be infected and heighten the risk of more mold problems in the future. Once you’ve installed the new humidification system in your humidor, season it and let the humidor acclimate for 5-7 days.

5.     Keep an eye on it for a few days

During the acclimatization period, keep a close eye on the humidor interior for new mold spores appearing. If mold reappears, repeat the steps outlined above.

Can the moldy cigars in my collection be saved?

Checking the cigars you placed in the fridge for fresh mold growth is also good practice. After 7-14 days, if there’s no sign of that hideous sight, the cigars are suitable to be returned to your humidor or given a cut, light and smoke.

Don’t forget what we mentioned earlier about the mold on your salvageable cigars, which leaves a slight discoloration on the wrapper. This is important so you don’t confuse it with new mold. Should new mold surface, try gently wiping the cigars again with that trusty alcohol solution.

If this doesn’t work, it’s probably time to admit defeat.

How to prevent mold in your cigar humidor

Humidor mold can easily be prevented. Here are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of a mold infection:

• Don’t overcrowd your humidor. Too many cigars can prevent airflow and impact humidity distribution.
• Avoid touching your cigars with unsanitary hands as bacteria can transfer to your smokes inside, causing mold to breed.
• Regularly rotate your cigars to ensure consistent humidity levels for all cigars in your humidor.
• Inspect your humidor often and clean it regularly by wiping it down with distilled water.
• Constantly check the conditions inside. Most humidors have built-in hygrometers for straightforward monitoring — aim for 70% RH (relative humidity) and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Position your humidor in a cool, dark place away from the sun.

Final thoughts

Despite your best efforts, mold can still infect your humidor. Sometimes it stops at the cigars, but ignoring it can escalate the problem to consume the entirety of your humidor.

Prevention is always better than cure for mold in your cigar humidor. Follow the steps in the guide to keep your treasured smokes happy and their surrounding environment mold-free.