Got my new to me humidor today

The green sponge in the top section, well, isn't quite green

It's got some black streaks (maybe too much alligator droppings in distilled Florida water?)

Any recommendations as to cleaning it or (better yet) sourcing a replacement?

 

In my opinion that thing never really worked and I found that it didn't hold any moisture or humidify. I picked up one of these and it keeps the humidity.

 

That green thing is useless, what caddymike suggested works fine. Do not use tap water, only use distilled water or cigar juice. CI Cigar Juice 16oz. - Cigars International

But first off it was never seasoned you should do so by doing the following:

SEASONING A HUMIDOR
It takes time, patience and a little know-how to get a new humidor ready to hold cigars. You're trying to recreate the tropical environments where most cigars are made, and you can't rush the process. Putting cigars into a dry humidor can ruin good smokes.

Most humidors have an interior made of untreated Spanish cedar, the preferred wood for humidifying and aging premium cigars. The wood needs to be humidified, or seasoned, before the box is ready to hold cigars. (Some humidors have varnished or finished wood interiors that don't need to be seasoned.)

Take a new sponge -- make sure it is unscented and free of soap -- and wet it with a liberal dose of distilled water. Wipe down all the exposed wood, including any trays and dividers, and the interior lid. Avoid using a paper towel or a fraying cloth; these will literally leave a paper trail on the wood. After you've wiped down the wood, squirt the sponge with more distilled water, then place it inside the humidor on a plastic bag -- to avoid direct contact with the wood -- and close the lid.

Next, prepare your humidification device according to the manufacturer's instructions. Unless the manufacturer specifically states that you can use tap water, use only distilled water. Tap water contains minerals that will destroy most humidification systems by leaving deposits that will clog the humidor element. Once the humidification element is filled, be sure to wipe it down to remove all the excess water. Rest it on a hand towel for approximately 30 minutes.

Close the humidor with its humidifying element and the damp sponge, and leave it overnight. The next day, refresh the humidification device (it may not need it) and check the sponge. If it is fairly dry, add more distilled water. If it is very damp, leave it alone.

Let the humidor sit another night, and then remove the sponge and plastic bag. The walls of the humidor have now absorbed all the water they need, and now you can safely store your cigars.

 

Tony, you rock.

 

I'm going to remember this if I ever am tempted to use my humidor.
I should get some cigars the next time I'm in Cuba. You should too. Oh! I forgot it's hard for you to go there.

 

Things may be changing...

 

The relationship with Cuba is a stain on the US foreign policy and the Cuban vote is probably the main reason.
How can the US trade with Vietnam and not Cuba? What a sorry state of affairs.
US goods are available in Cuba, pricey but they come via Mexico etc. What a sham.

 

Easy there we don't want this to turn into a political thread.

 

Yeah, we don't want to get into that sink hole too often, so I kept it short.
Adiós amigo.

 

Great information Job welldone. Nothing better than a Cuban Cigar from a Spanish Cedar lined humidor sitting in a center console of a German made car sold as an American Car.

DO you realize it is harder to get a box of cubans into Florida than a box truck of illegal's,