Cork needs to be either cleaned (or replaced??) on one of my older favorite rods. My first question is can you even have the cork replaced? Or, if common sense answer is NO, then what is the best way to clean/restore cork?

Not sure on replacing cork but it can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a magic eraser. After cleaning let it dry out the seal with UB40.

I'd never seal it. You can clean them with soap and water with a soft sponge.

Clorox wipes

Magic Eraser pads work awesome on cleaning cork.

Steel wool, works great

Depending on the grade of cork used, you're likely to have some pores/pits that won't be cleaned by something like a Magic Eraser. I learned from a longtime rod builder to use Soft Scub cleanser (which contains a very fine abrasive) and an old toothbrush or other soft bristle brush. I've cleaned some rather dirty-looking cork this way with very good results. I agree that sealing with UB40 is a good idea - but only after a thorough cleaning/rinse and the cork has time to dry.

Magic eraser

Easy to clean, get after it.

I am not knocking you, but I have never understood this. What is reasoning behind "never seal it"?

I have sealed my corks for a while now, after having not sealed them for an even longer time, and I have not seen one downside or negative effect to sealing them. The older ones that I had before sealing my corks would get very porous over time and the holes would get bigger and bigger.

Thanks everyone. Sounds like Soft Scrub or Magic Eraser is way to go. On a side not, ow a Magic Eraser can make scuffs on a wall disappear is beyond me. Or remove the oldest water spots from a cowling. I did try steel wool on a different rod but it took off a thin layer of cork and I didn't like the texture after that.

How come? U40 is amazing cork sealer and works great and keeps your cork from pitting.

As to the OP, maybe use a sand paper sponge and sand the old stuff down a little bit?

I use a magic eraser on just about everything I clean, but do not rub too hard on the cowling or any other surface with a magic eraser, It will do damage if you get down on it too hard.

it will do that on the cheaper cork handles, magic eraser is acutally sanding it too just finer grit

I've always had good luck using Fast Orange or other hand cleaners with the pumice in them. Most of that grime on there is oils from your hands, so a mild degreaser like the hand cleaners gets that off. I worried about the cork drying out or getting damaged when I first started this, but I have not had that problem.