Have you ever opened your humidor only to find a fuzzy or whitish mold? It can ruin your cigar collection faster than anything you’ve ever imagined. Is cigar mold dangerous? Mold isn't something you should take lightly because it can be very harmful. It can alter the taste and aroma of your cigars, making them unpleasant to smoke. Plus, it can spread like wildfire, affecting your entire collection if left unchecked.
In this article, we’re diving deep into how to tackle the mold issue head-on. You’ll learn how to banish mold in your humidor for good.
Identifying Mold vs. Plume
If you notice something strange on the wrappers of some of your cigars, could it be mild? Sometimes, people can confuse cigar plumes with mold. Before getting rid of it, we thought you should know the difference between a cigar plume vs mold.
Mold on cigars looks more like fuzzy, powdery patches on the surface of the cigar wrapper. It's caused by excess moisture in the humidor and surfaces with warm temperatures. Usually, it becomes a concern because it can affect the flavor and aroma of your cigars, making them unsafe to smoke.
Cigar plume, on the other hand, isn't harmful like mold. In fact, if you find a plume on your cigar, it’s actually a thing. Plumes look more crystalline specks on the wrapper, and the whitish substance looks like you're dusting sugar off.
When a plume appears on your cigar, it shows that the oils in the tobacco are rising to the surface. This will happen when your cigar ages well and is only natural. It won’t affect the flavor negatively and will improve the flavor.
So, how can you tell the two apart? Well, mold tends to look fuzzy and can appear in various colors, like white, green, or blue. On the other hand, a plume has a finer texture and looks more crystal. Unlike mold that appears in patches, plume appears as tiny specks spread across the surface of the sugar.
It is only after you make the distinction between the two that you can tell if there’s any problem. Plumes are completely harmless and only shows your cigar is mature. However, you need a closer analysis to determine if you’re having a mold infestation. We will discuss this in the next section so you can effectively get rid of the mold from your cigar collection.
Assessing the Extent of Mold Damage
Can cigars get moldy in a humidor? Of course, you can have a moldy humidor. However, before you conclude that you have a mold on your cigar or higher, there are things to check for. So, put on your detective lens and look for clues that mold is affecting your cigar. If you find fuzzy patches that appear as a white, green, or blue powder, it's certainly a visible mold.
You can also identify mold when you gently run your fingers on the surface of the cigar. If the wrapper feels damp or mushy, then it is mold. Mold will make the cigar feel soft or squishy in certain sports.
Then there’s the issue of smell, which mold gives off. You will notice that your cigars have a sour odor or musty smell. Once you can confirm all of these, then it is certainly a cigar mold problem you have. The good news is that you can quickly salvage the situation.
When you notice mold on any of your cigars, you should quickly separate it from the unaffected cigars. It will spread to them quickly if it isn’t taken out quickly.
After assessing the mold damage, what can you do? There are ways you can clean the mold on cigar without out rightly disposing it.
Cleaning Procedures for Mold Removal
How to get rid of mold in a humidor? If you notice there’s mold early in your cigar, there are things you can do to get rid of them. Although, cannot treat mold but you can ensure it doesn’t spread to others.
If you notice there is mold in your cigar the solution is to gently wipe It well. However, this can only work if the mold problem is detected early enough.
Any further damage may you to dispose of the cigar completely. Here’s a step-by-step guide on cleaning mold off your stash:
Assess the Damage
Take a good look at your cigars and check the extent of the mold problems. If it’s just a few spots on the wrapper, you might be able to salvage them. However, if the mold has spread extensively or deeply penetrated the cigars, it’s best to dispose of them.
Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need a few things to get started with the cleaning. Get a rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), a soft cloth, a small brush, and a separate container to discard any moldy cigars. Make sure to work in a clean and well-lit area. You can spread a clean towel or paper towel to protect your workspace from mess.
Wipe Away Surface Mold
Carefully remove the affected cigars from your humidor or storage container. Handle them gently to avoid spreading potential mold spores. Then, rub some of the rubbing alcohol on the soft cloth. Carefully wipe the affected areas of the cigars using the clean cloth dampened in the isopropyl alcohol. The isopropyl alcohol will help remove mold from the surface without damaging the wrapper.
Brush Away Residue and Air Dry
Use the small brush to gently scrub the surface of the cigars if there are stubborn spots. But be gentle to avoid damaging the wrapper. After cleaning, allow the cigars to air dry in a well-ventilated area. You shouldn't place any damp cigars back in the cigar humidor or storage container. Once the cigars are dry, give them another inspection to see if there are still mold spots.
Dispose of Contaminated Materials
Dispose of all the materials you used to clean the mold. Leave nothing that came in contact with the mold to prevent cigar mold growth. You can discard them by sealing them in a plastic bag or sealed container.
Check Again for Mold
Before you keep the cleaned cigars back in your collection, make sure to check for mold. Also check for visible mold in your humidor. If you have a moldy humidor, it would cause more growth. So make sure you inspect the container for humidor mold. You can confirm if there is relative humidity and that nothing to prevent airflow. This will prevent mold growth in the future because mold thrives in a moist cigar humidor.
Preventing Future Mold Outbreaks: Maintenance and Best Practices
How to prevent mold in humidor? Remember that the best way to avoid cigar mold is by preventing it. Check your cigar humidor interior from time to time to be sure that the humidity levels are intact. If you ever spot mold formation again, don’t hesitate to take swift action to protect your collection. Moldy humidor will cause more damage to all your cigars.
If you follow the steps we've mentioned in this guide, you should be good. Most humidors have a humidification system to prevent mold. However, you can get a new humidification device like a hygrometer to check if there is relative humidity in your humidor. Usually, the humidity should be around 65% to 70% for proper air circulation and to inhibit mold growth.
Also, safeguard your cigars from temperature fluctuations and keep them away from direct sunlight. Usually, heat can create conditions conducive to mold in a humidor.
On a final note, exercise caution when buying cigars. Only buy from reputable sources and inspect them. Make sure you also keep checking your cigars regularly so you can quickly address any mold issues before they spread.