What is the best method to cleaning cork rod handles without damaging them? Many years ago I used rubbing alcohol on a rag and it worked great, but not sure if that would dry out the cork and cause problems later on and I don't have those rods anymore to know.

Magic Eraser with warm water and Dawn dish soap.

I've had good luck with Dawn and a regular rag.

Thanks guys, I have Dawn so that's a good deal.

Clorox wipes

This ^^^^^

Yep the magic eraser process works great. When they are clean then you can re-seal them. I did all my rods this way a couple of years ago and then used u-40 cork seal on all of them. They all still look good.

I wet a Terry cloth washcloth with warm water tgen scrub the handle.

Magic eraser

Comet Cleanser hands down, wet the cork, apply the comet powder to the cork and use a wet sponge work the cork over building that blue lather, rinse...it will look brand new, and not remove any of the cork.

Baby wipes. No harsh chemicals and also softens the cork.

Mr Clean Magic Eraser...you all can thank me later

I use WD 40 on a rag I wipe the hard water scum off the rod then wipe the cork. I have rods that are 20 years old so I know it works.

rubbing alcohol and a cloth makes it look like new in no time I can do 20 rods in 30 minutes

I've used that in the past and it worked great, but I was worried that it might dry out the cork in the long run. Is that not a concern, do you have rods that you've had a long time using this method?