Mold on Cork Handles?

Has anyone ever experienced mold or what looks like possible whitish mold on a cork handle? I had it stored in one of my rod storage compartments on my boat for probably less than a year. It was one of my extra rods (which if anyone else is like me and have way more fishing poles than I could ever use) that I had carried on the boat for a just in case situation. I don't think that it was ever wet while being stored in the enclosed compartment on my boat. I didn't know if that humidity got to it or if it is just something else other than mold. If it is mold, would you try and clean it or just replace the rod (it was about a $50 rod)? Do y'all regularly clean your handles and/or your fishing poles?

Probably mold. Humidity might be the cause. Unless the cork is deteriorated, wipe the mold off and keep on fishing.

It’s mold for sure. When the humidity gets up like it has been lately I get the same thing. Little warm water on a rag and your good as new

When you park the boat open the compartments. Give them a chance to dry out.

I do this to each one on occasion.

Use a MR Clean MAGIC Eraser on your Cork handle & your problem solved.

+1^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Wipe it with a diluted mix of Clorox and water to kill the mold, then clean and dry.

... this solution also works great on wood fences too, it will make an old wood fence look new, it kills the mold in wood that makes wood look old and gray

Have you ever considered just fishing with it occasionally? If not, just tell your wife the rods are getting moldy and to need to give them a workout...just saying...take her home a fresh mess of crappie for dinner, and she will be wanting you to use those old moldy rods more often!

I also keep a good coat of furniture paste wax on my cork handles, and nearly all my fishing poles have cork handles.. Even the old ones look new.