I was given a beautiful humidor with the brand name Don Salvatore. After moderate seasoning, the humidor became filled with green mold. I suspect the sponge in the humidifier. The distributor said they can not help me, it was made in China. I wiped it out very well and left it in the sun.

Should I junk it or how can I treat it?

David J. Felt

just go with a new humidification element. the stocks ones that most companies provide aren't that great anyways.

go with some beads from heartfelt industries or humidstick or the humidipuck.

If you've eliminated the mold, trying a new humidifcation element is a good idea, but I'm surprised that you were told you can't be helped. Did you try donsalvatore.net, the company website?

I'd certainly hesitate to put cigars in that humidor until the mold is under control. Usually when mold is a problem, that is an indication that the temp and humidity are too high. Mold will not usually be an issue at 70 degrees and 70% humidity or below. Wipe all the mold out of the humidor with a slightly damp, new sponge. Do not use any soaps or cleaners, water only. Put a digital hygrometer in the humidor (analog units are notoriously inaccurate) and follow tgherpst's suggestion above with a new humidifier. Only after verifying that the proper humidity and temp can be maintained for a month or better without the mold returning would I think about putting cigars back in it.

I would wipe it down lightly with distiled water, then while wet sand it with very fine sandpaper all over the inside.Then season and check again.